Sounders Playoffs Gamethread
CONTEXT
The Seattle Sounders FC and the Houston Dynamo will face each other in the 2009 MLS playoffs, which begins tonight in Seattle.
KEY PLAYERS
Seattle:
Roster
Houston:
Roster
Both the Sounders and Dynamo are filled to the brim with possible difference-makers.
KEY QUESTIONS
Can the Seattle Sounders outscore the Houston Dynamo?
They can.
Can the Houston Dynamo outscore the Seattle Sounders?
They can.
Will one of the Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo outscore the other?
Most certainly likely!
X FACTOR
Jaqua
CONCLUSION
GO SOUNDERS!!
h/t Jeff for the template
0 recs |
388 comments
Comments
LET'S DO IT!
Though I imagine most of the commenters who would enjoy this thread are at the game. :(
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 7:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well hey even if it's just a couple of us it could be a good thread.
Looking at those Sounders season tickets again, trying to see if any of my friends will get in on ’em with me.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll admit at the outset
that I don’t know much of anything about soccer; my interest has only been piqued this year. But any Seattle team in the playoffs is awesome! GO SOUNDERS!
by stupidquestions on Oct 29, 2009 7:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Should've scored there.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Any way to watch this online?
Free would be nice.
Woe is me
by krb on Oct 29, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They usually have Sounders games...
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
I was watching here. Sure is nice being able to read stuff.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN360 carried it last night
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This doesn't look good in hindsight
by NOLAmarinergirl on Oct 30, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most of my comments in this thread don't look very good.
But the match was pretty frantic, and there were 10 shots on goal between the two teams when it was all over. I’m still stunned no one scored.
by Teej on Oct 30, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What on earth is that accent?
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What the fuck was that, Freddie
Montero was clear through on goal if you passed it to him
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ljundberg needs to start connecting with those passes
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What the fuck is that
It’s a clear red for Onstad
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I really can't get over how there were mutual yellow cards on that play.
I’m assuming the officials didn’t see anything and didn’t know what else to do.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Dumb question, since I've never been to a match:
Are those flashing digital ads on the sidelines actually there, or is only on the TV?
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 7:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes they are real
Only team in the MLS to have them I believe.
by Robert on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The pitches are usually raised from ground level
and the slope of the ground outside the boundaries obscures the signs from field level for the most part, at least in Europe. Qwest appears to be a bit flatter though, so I don’t know.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok kicking Jaqua in the face is pretty damn difficult I would imagine
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So they don't card for that? I always thought it wasn't ok to kick someone in the face.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's normally just a foul
They only get really pissy if you do that in the lower leagues
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was a free kick.
If it wasn’t intentional, there’s no need for anything more.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unlike, say, the red that their goalie didn't get
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, just unlike that.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if the camera missed something before that, but for fuck's sake, he just TACKLED him. It wasn't even part of the play!
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What, you don't approve of goalies chestbumping opposing players from the rear?
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just saw that on the replay--
with the comment from the official at Qwest that had it been a chestbump to the head or face it would be a red card, but with a bump to the body you had to factor in intent (well, yes) and how hard (um, pretty hard) to make it a red card
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was clearly a red
Refs missed the call, saw the fracas, and tried to make up for it by booking both of them. Really awful call
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had a really good view of it at the game.
Motero didn’t do anything, it was all Onstad.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know what it is about Montero, but he seems to bring it out of people.
Jealousy? Hype? Maybe he’s mastered some great insults in English that he can mutter under his breath?
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Montero was diving A LOT throughout the game.
It’s funny that on one of the few plays he gets legitimately fouled, he gets carded. Fuck you Salazar.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm inclined to think he dives a bit, but he also gets manhandled and isn't the biggest guy, so the truth is somewhere in the middle.
I saw him get legitimately pulled down several times today with no call. And he’s a finesse player whose feet are moving a lot. I’m more understanding of a guy like him falling than I am a stronger midfielder.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, pretty great.
Evans is working hard as hell this game.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Riley needs to stop pushing up out of position
It’s dragging Jaqua back into defence which is a bad plan
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 7:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No cards for persistent fouling in the MLS?
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Terrible waste.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I CAN BARELY SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN2 and it looks like shit.
It’s snowy, it’s dark as fuck and the sound is crackly.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I AM PAYING $600 A YEAR TO GIVE MYSELF A STROKE
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can't believe that I live in one of the wealthiest, most technologically advanced cities in one of the wealthiest, most technologically advanced nations on earth
and the only people that can provide me with cable are worse than the people that provided my family with cable 20 years ago in the middle of nowhere. What the fuck. What the fucking fuck.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also only $600?
I pay probably around a grand a year for DirecTV!
[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]
by bluemax on Oct 29, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I pay nearly two grand, though that includes cable and phone.
Fuck. I had never done the math before. Sad face.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING BROADSTRIPE
OUR REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS ARE 8 AM TO 10 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. PLEASE CALL BACK DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our passing has been shocking today
We should be up by two or three
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Who the fuck is this bitch telling us she's glad the referee got the fucking call wrong
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know we had the turf-vs.-grass discussion already, but I don't think this was covered.
Is it just me, or does the ball bounce a LOT higher on this turf than it does on decent grass?
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Who do you have to rape around here to get a yellow card?
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was just thinking that it was odd that every time a player gets thrown to the ground via an arm under the shoulders nothing happened.
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I mean I like it when the refs let the game play out but this is kind of ridiculous.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I'd prefer a "let them play" referee to one who is too heavy-handed,
but this is ridiculous. Houston is pulling players down every few minutes. And the assumption seems to be that Montero is a flopper. Which might have some truth to it, but he’s not getting any calls tonight.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The referee even yelled at the guy, so I thought it would finally happen, but then he just "tsk-tsk"ed him.
Like, “Dude, you’re putting me in a tough position! Stop, please!” Just fucking make the call.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Champions League semi-final against Barcelona last year has left me fairly numb to bad refereeing.
It’s still annoying but I just don’t get angry like I used to.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Team is taking way too long on attack
Pass faster dickheads
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Halcyon days
I’ve been enjoying the fact that, as much as I’m getting into soccer, I really know very little about the sport. It’s made it easy to cheer for the Sounders without worrying as much as I would if I were watching the M’s or Seahawks in a playoff game.
by katal on Oct 29, 2009 8:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Still no?!
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Keep putting the ball near him and he'll make it happen.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This may seem crazy but have we considered passing the ball over the defenders?
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What the hell
[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]
by bluemax on Oct 29, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
THAT'S LIKE OUR FIRST FOUL OF THE FUCKING MATCH
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One foul
Two yellow cards!
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well that's a baffling substitution.
And a baffling booking.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You must not know how amazing Levesque is
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, I haven't really been paying attention to MLS since the Premier League started
he’s some sort of super-sub I take it?
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Imagine Ole Gunnar Solsjaer without being good at football and looking quite like a gay pirate
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boy I'm bad at picking up sarcasm online.
Sounds like I’d love him on a team I didn’t care about.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually do love him
He’s our Ryan Langerhans
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there's been more corners than fouls.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What is the soccer equivelant of "clear the puck"?
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Above I wrote that I'm still learning soccer.
That said, I picked up pretty early on in the MLS season that Riley isn’t good. I’m proud of that.
by katal on Oct 29, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Riley looks like John Legend.
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Oct 30, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keller is a fucking baller.
I can tell it is him because my sharpness is turned up so high he is a big white dot.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 8:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Will they play extra time if the game is tied?
I’m assuming no?
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Another one!
but probably deserved that time.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Holden looks like the preppie cad in many a teen movie.
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 8:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It feels like we are holding on the ball too long
too many bad decisions when we get near the box
[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]
by bluemax on Oct 29, 2009 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know I'm wrong, but I swear I've never seen Zakuani do anything positive with the ball.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boy needs to cut inside rather than out once in a while
Defenders are cheating him on the turn
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ljungberg seems pretty good at corners/set pieces
[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]
by bluemax on Oct 29, 2009 8:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great tackle.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Jacqua is gonna have a nasty head ache
[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]
by bluemax on Oct 29, 2009 8:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he needs head injuries more often
this is the first time I can remember him being this active
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When's the next leg?
all I heard was november.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait
what?
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Play the advantage, seriously.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the end of 90 minutes, soccer should go to judges like boxing.
Unanimous victory!
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice move
awful cross.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On through balls they should be erring for inside
Having the ball wander off outside kills the momentum of the play :(
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So would it be fair to say that Seattle and Houston are pretty much polar opposites?
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 9:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The preview show said they were exactly the same!
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I think the Sounders are more athletic and bigger, but the Dynamo are a little more refined.
Or I could be completely wrong.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems like the Sounders are super aggressive and very poor defensively
while Houston are patient, strong on defense and terrible at finishing.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or not even finishing really, just staying in Seattle's end.
by acblue on Oct 29, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Sounders look awful on defense, but they didn't allow many goals this year.
I’m not sure how much of that is luck, or their awesome keeper. But yes, they definitely are aggressive on the attack.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My take...
Both teams are good at goal prevention, the Sounders more by the keeper and the Dynamo more by the defenders.
Both teams are decently adept at goal scoring, however the Sounders are better at setting up goals whereas the Dynamo have Ching, who is the most adept goal scorer of anyone on the field.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So alike, they go around the world to opposites?
Woe is me
by krb on Oct 29, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is it that referees are so willing to call flops fouls?
by BrettJMiller on Oct 29, 2009 9:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I went to middle and high school with Cam Weaver.
No one really liked him much. He was good at sports but tried way too hard to be cool.
by katal on Oct 29, 2009 9:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not even a fucking whistle?
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Montero's was pretty good.
Fuck Anaheim.
by Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth on Oct 29, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So what is the chant that sounds like air-ball?
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know most of the chants
having been to almost all the home games this year.
The common ones you will hear are
“Seattle – Sounders” (Alternating between halves of the stadium)
“Score a goal, score a goal, score a goal, score a goal” at any random time
and my favorite " You Suck Asshole" any time the opposing keeper kicks the ball
by CKremer on Nov 1, 2009 1:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was a really bad time for Freddie to have his worst game with the franchise
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He really did look lost.
Montero looked pretty good. I’m wondering why he was removed so early.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Freddy looked
Completely winded when they took him out.
And since this was an actually important game they couldn’t put up with his compete loss of what is going on around him much more.
by CKremer on Nov 1, 2009 1:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That last sentence doesn't even make sense.
In addition, Fredy looked good on the field Thursday. It was those “going on around him” that seemed lost.
by NOLAmarinergirl on Nov 2, 2009 8:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a theory that everyone who thinks Montero is bad for the team has no idea about how the sport actually works
by Graham on Nov 2, 2009 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't he is bad for the team at all
I just think he has the ability to be so much more. But, old story …
by CKremer on Nov 2, 2009 8:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nuts.
The Sounders dominated. Walking away with zero goals is a kick in the dick.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought the Dynamo played better, but the Sounders have better players
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We had the better time of possetion and kept it in their end longer, I believe.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We made more stupid turnovers by a decent margin
Passing was shocking, decision making was bad. Houston had all of it together but we’re more talented than they are. It all cancelled
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Houston had some defensive lapses though.
We took Ching out of the game for the most part, too, and made some key defensive stops.
I think the main story of this game, though, is missed opportunities and ridiculous saves. Both teams missed some great opportunities by hitting the ball right at the keeper and both teams had some balls that looked like sure goals, only to be shut down.
by lailaihei on Oct 29, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, but they weren't as bad as Seattle at ridiculous turnovers at midfield
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I only watched the second half but man that was a mess
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have
but the year he looked that bad with Arsenal he was carrying about 24 injuries.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
I guess I’m looking at chances on goal. The Sounders were living in Houston’s box (tee hee).
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most of those chances were on corners
We had very little going on open play
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When at the game it felt like Houston dominated the entire game with the exception of the 60 to 85th minute
by Robert on Oct 29, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just felt that, even out the tough breaks, and the Sounders win that game 3-1.
They may not have played a pretty game, but they put the ball on the goal a lot, and you do that enough you expect a couple to sneak in.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They should have to play until someone wins
by Poochie on Oct 29, 2009 9:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I see the refs lose another game for a Seattle team.
Surprise, surprise!
A Mariners fan in Seattle
by Coach Owens on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, tie anyways...
A Mariners fan in Seattle
by Coach Owens on Oct 29, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The referee had a really bad tonight, but the Sounders really should have had a goal or two.
So many good chances.
by Teej on Oct 29, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But this playoff format is dumb.
Whoever scores more at home goes on to the next round? Get a better system.
A Mariners fan in Seattle
by Coach Owens on Oct 29, 2009 9:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I still think away goals should count double just because that rule has never made sense to me
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does make holding a 1-0 aggregate lead in the last leg at home rather more nerveracking than it should be
But hey, if away goals counted here we’d have had a great first leg
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Sounders's main problem in attacking is, perversely, in their defence
Observe what happens when possession comes back. It’s almost like clockwork. Square pass to each defender on a flat line with the opposition pressing closer and closer with each pass. The midfielders don’t do a good enough job opening up passing lanes by dropping back, and the only guy on that line with the capability to break out is Leo Gonzalez on the left. The pressure from the opposition becomes untenable and the ball is either played back to Keller or scrambled somewhere with no time. Gonzalez tries to fix it by running it out, but he crashes straight into the back of Zakwani half the time and gets shoved off the ball, and is then caught out of position.
Midfielders need to drop back for distribution (Evans and Alonso) or the defence needs to accept that they have a tonne of time on the ball and ping it long to a winger or forward. This way just isn’t working.
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's like 1964 Division 1 all over again!
Strict squad numbers for everyone!
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you figure out their formation?
ESPN lists it as 4-4-2 but it’s pretty clearly not. 4-1-3-1-1?
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As near as I could tell it varied
between a 4-1-3-1-1 and a 4-4-1-1. Neither one worked with any degree of success.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's hard to play a match when you can't pass
Also the turf hurt us on a couple of those balls forward
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A 4-1-3-1-1 is basically what we've rolled with the last 4 or so games
by Nick S on Oct 29, 2009 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does using Montero as the target man in that scheme make any sense to you?
I know Jaqua sucks but at least he’s tall – unleash Fredy on the wings and use him in buildup play more
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, Riley is normally pretty good at breaking out and getting forward
For whatever reason he was way the hell off tonight and got eaten up by Davis out on the wing.
(It’s Zakuani, by the way.)
by Nick S on Oct 29, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lalas' key point of the game?
Houston should thank its lucky stars they still have a keeper, because “99 times out of 100 that is a red card”
by msb on Oct 29, 2009 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
As much as I hate listening to the average baseball commentator on national TV
the ESPN soccer guys are waaaaaaay worse.
David Beckham’s in the playoffs! For the first time! YOU TOLD US THAT 37 TIMES ALREADY IN THE LAST THREE MINUTES SHUT THE FUCK UP
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 29, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So will MLS suspend the Houston keeper for the match over there?
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That was a red card, so it seems to me that he should miss the next game
by Graham on Oct 29, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It can be reviewed by the league and given retroactively
So it’s still possible
by cougfan on Oct 29, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
fuck my anus with a john gacy weilded dildo chainsaw
by Robert on Oct 29, 2009 10:03 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
So, Salazar is awesome
“Salazar, who disallowed an apparent Seattle goal by calling a foul up the field in the 77th minute, was asked after the game why he cautioned both players and explained that Onstad was given a yellow card for “game disrepute” and Montero for “faking injury.”"
by cougfan on Oct 29, 2009 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My throat is hoarse from booing Onstad throughout the game.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's nothing like being able to yell 'YOU SUCK' at a grown man for basically no reason
by Nick S on Oct 29, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah and some guys were trying to sell parking spaces for 50 BUCKS. 50 BUCKS.
This is when there is availible $10 parking 100 feet away.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Fire Away
Pat Onstad:
“On the incident with Fredy Montero: “To be honest I just gave him a super light bump and he went down like he normally does. He rolled around a few times. If it would have been Nate Jaqua, he would have brushed his shoulder like a fly was buzzing him. That is Fredy, and as soon as I bumped him I told myself that was the wrong guy to bump. I got what I deserved and the referee thought he embellished it a little bit.”"
by cougfan on Oct 29, 2009 11:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Zakuani needs to be more physical. I can't count how many times
opposing players just pushed him away from the ball.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ty Marshall is going to have a hell of a fight on his hands for a starting job next year
by Nick S on Oct 29, 2009 11:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn't watch Ianna that often. You liked his play?
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's pretty dang solid, and almost had 2 goals from headers on set pieces
Also he’s young and Marshall is old and not actually that good
by Nick S on Oct 30, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marshall is a bad defender
Ianni’s not good but he doesn’t pull the stupid bullshit quite so often
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marshall is a solid defender for MLS, which, yeah, means he's not that good.
The lapses/gaffes that he’s made this year are stunning. And yet he’s not bad for the league…..
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Offensively, yes
Headed ball that they cleared off the line, another that hit the crossbar, and he played bigger than Jaqua as far as balls in the air
by cougfan on Oct 30, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The "little bump" is at 1:15. Judge for yourself.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And as Teej was talking about above, Onstad clearly fakes an
eye injury 10 seconds after bumping Montero. What a fucking prick.
by redwolf75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Upon further review, it appears that Brad Evans may have punched Onstad in the face.
In which case . . . good work!
by Teej on Oct 30, 2009 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How likely is it that MLS officials see this and suspend Onstad?
by BrianL on Oct 30, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Knowing how Seattle always, somehow, has bad things happen to them by officials...
About 0%.
A Mariners fan in Seattle
by Coach Owens on Oct 30, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No idea, really
It’s more frustrating he wasn’t sent off. A yellow to a keeper means nothing. There was no way he’d get a second yellow. If he had been sent off Houston loses their keeper, another player, and has to play with a backup in goal. Completely changes the game
by cougfan on Oct 30, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
About as likely as the Sounders signing Snoop Dogg to play forward
by Nick S on Oct 30, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't wait to customize my jersey with DOGG and the number 69
by Nick S on Oct 30, 2009 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only if you can pull it off as well
as this man
What’s on the back of the jersey, you’re wondering? Yep, pretty much what you’d expect. Mr. Mohawk East, everyone.
by pmc47 on Oct 30, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Montero at 3:25 was almost one of the prettiest goals I've ever seen.
by Teej on Oct 30, 2009 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What a traitor. He's from Vancouver, he's supposed to like Seattle-based teams!
A Mariners fan in Seattle
by Coach Owens on Oct 30, 2009 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were actually a lot of empty loge seats. I scored one in row A near midfield.
Better view than I expected, would rather sit there any day over some of the corner sections near the field.
by redwolf75 on Oct 30, 2009 12:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't imagine this game doesn't end differently if some calls were made less retardedly
by OlSalty on Oct 30, 2009 1:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to following football, the sport where the referee can bone you at any point during the 90 minutes [and usually does, unless you are an established big club].
I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.
by EnglishMariner on Oct 30, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As someone who reads a lot of soccer journalism and match reports
I would like to propose a moratorium on American journalists calling soccer “the beautiful game”. I’m tired of most cliches but that one especially is well past its shelf life, Steve Kelley.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 9:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
MLS should definitely not be called the beautiful game.
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLS - The Adequate Game
Catch the fever!
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching highlights of the Chelsea-Bolton match immediately after this game was amusing
Turns out that good teams don’t stop forward movement on breakaways
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny how that works.
I had very high hopes for the Colorado Rapids a couple years ago, when they signed a partnership agreement with Arsenal – the agreement apparently included/includes coaching of the Rapids (both players and coaches) by Arsenal staff in London during MLS’ offseason, and a “consultant” on staff at Arsenal whenever the Rapids wanted assistance. I was hoping they’d start to train their players in the Arsenal/United/Barca mode of incessant short crisp passes, and that the Rapids would soon run so riot over the rest of MLS that other teams would have no choice but to try to catch up. To say that didn’t happen would be an understatement.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Rapids play like a bad version of Blackburn which uh
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
It’s really frustrating – and I don’t give two shits about the Rapids. I just really want the MLS to be a much better league than it is – quality of play is far better than when it started, but it’s sorta plateaued and that’s frustrating.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sort of frustrating, but it actually looked better than most home matches in the 2nd half of the year.
Houston totally outplayed Seattle for stretches (including immediately after the 2nd half whistle), Seattle is better up front and perhaps in defense (Houston’s slow), but Ljungberg was outplayed by Holden/Clark.
This actually wasn’t Ljungberg’s worst game in Seattle, but it was his first outright shitty game in a long, long time.
I understand why they do that 4-1-3-1-1 thing, and I actually agree with Sigi that Jaqua isn’t a true target man. So, and I know I’m biased, I think they should do what Spurs did a while ago and run a 4-3-3 with Jaqua just behind the two forwards. Jaqua’s actually not bad as a distributor – not long passes, but using his strength to hold off a defender or redirect a ball to another player. He’s simply not fast enough to be a true forward, so use him the way Spurs used Robbie Keane a few years ago. Not only that, but Sounders have never gotten anything from the MF outside of Ljungberg, Alonso, Le Toux and Zakuani. Since Le Toux generally doesn’t start, that means (generally) Evans or Vagenas kind of hustling around to little effect (Evans winner v. Dallas notwithstanding).
The problem with this plan is that the Sounders don’t appear to have 2 forwards on their roster. Montero’s great, but who else would play up top? Zakuani? I’ve actually never seen a scorer with so little feel for goal, and on the wing he can run at slower defenders, which is what he’s good at. Nyassi? Eh, poor man’s Zakuani. Le Toux? They tried that earlier and it was a disaster. The only other answer is Levesque, which, I know he’s been our talisman recently, but…. really? I guess it’d be an interesting experiment, but the 2nd leg of the semis may not be the time for experiments.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would actually play Jaqua as the further man upfield but still shy of a true centre forward
Basically you launch balls up to him, he nods them down for Montero to surge onto.
4-1-3-1-1 but with [defence]-Alonso-Le Toux, Ljundberg, Zakuani, Montero, Jaqua
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And good gob, Zakuani, try playing inside your man sometimes
They’re playing you half turned to the outside because YOU NEVER GO ANY OTHER DIRECTION. Cut inside and the defence is toast
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In maybe three years, Zakuani will be good.
For now, not so much. He needs a shot and the ability to go right. Oh, and a decent ability to cross the ball. If he fails at the 3rd, he could become a decent forward. But right now, he’s just a fast guy.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which is deployed only when the fast guy runs out of real estate and realizes he needs to stop running.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. Makes me wonder what his vaunted Arsenal training amounted to.
But, to be less cynical for a moment, I think he’ll get there. You have the raw materials of a great player, and the experience he got this year has to be incredibly valuable. He apparently led the NCAA in goals solely by being fast; he’s now learning an entirely new set of skills, and he isn’t atrocious.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also want Nyassi to be good too
The idea of having those two learn shots and playing on the outside of a 4-3-3 sounds like a good time
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah - I loved Nyassi (from what little I saw of him) early in the year
but as the season wore on, he pretty clearly is a poor man’s Zakuani. But hey, he actually does cut inside from time to time. And he’s got a twin brother who does log serious minutes for another MLS team. I think the problem is that he can be pushed off the ball by a strong breeze, and in a league that relies more on strength than skill, that’s a problem.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Nyassi really needs to learn from Montero in terms of physicality
Not the blatant cheating, mind
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That'd be nice, but I'm not sure he's physically capable of doing what Montero does
If he is, awesome.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's mentally capable of it
Everyone can be a vicious little bastard if they want
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Montero's actually wiry strong, and holds off defenders well
He can be a vicious little bastard at times, but he’s not as little as Nyassi. That would require Sana to be extra vicious. He can be as nasty, brutish and short as he can be, but I don’t think he’ll be able to be as good at holding off defenders as Montero.
Now, if he can learn to be Aaron Lennon/Theo Walcott, that’s something.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, I don't think he'll be as good as it as Montero is
I just think that tapping into that would at least make him annoying to deal, which is really all he needs with the speed he has
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear you, but I wouldn't want to see Jaqua's ability to distribute the ball on a counterattack to be decreased if he's playing so far forward.
It could work, though. Your idea probably isn’t that far off of the way Fulham used McBride a few years ago.
by marc w on Oct 30, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has anyone here read 'Inverting the Pyramid'?
by Graham on Oct 30, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No but it's in my bedside pile of books
Jonathan Wilson is a really good football writer, I love his Guardian stuff.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Oct 30, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some photos....
by marc w on Nov 2, 2009 9:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

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