Posts Tagged ‘Seattle Sounders’

What We're Watching

Channel Surfing: Your MLS Viewing Guide for the Weekend

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll want to have your eyes on as Week 10 of MLS action gets started Saturday.

Must See

You’re going to want to watch the Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United, 4:30E, NBCSN.

When a MLS team gets a new stadium it’s a lot like when a buddy gets married. Some fans are perfectly content with what they already have, others might not have quite as pretty a partner but they’re still settled, and then there will be the outright envious who are single and would love to take the lucky guy’s place. But no matter what role you’re in, you want to see it because at the end of the day you’re happy for the guy. And you don’t even have to suit up for this one. (more…)

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MLS

MLS by the Numbers Week 2

Everyone loves stats and analyzing numbers – from how many goals were scored over the weekend to the total attendance of MLS games. So, here are some notable statistics from week two of MLS play. 

213,418- The total attendance for all MLS games last weekend, for an average of 23,713 people per game.

58,912- The highest attended soccer game ever in the city of Montréal for the Impact’s opening MLS game. The Montréal Expos could only attract that many fans twice in 36 years.

7,723 -The lowest attended soccer game the past weekend when Chivas USA hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps at the Home Depot Center.

997- Matt Reis has saved 997 saves in his career after saving 4 shots against Sporting KC. The Revolution keeper could become the 6th MLS goalie to have career 1,000+ saves.

843- The Sporting KC-New England Revolution game combined for the most completed passes in week two, 843. Sporting completed 583 of those passes, which was more completed passes than the Philladelphia Union-Colorado Rapids (560) and FC Dallas-Portland Timbers (559) matches. Seth Sinovic had the most passes successful passes for Kansas City with 70.

180- The Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Sporting KC have all gone 180 minutes without being scored on; they are the only teams in MLS that have yet to give up a goal.  (more…)

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MLS

Sounders Sign Johnson, Building Championship Squad

Earlier in the 2012 offseason, Seattle management said that they could possibly make a move for a surprise big player but it would also cost the Sounders a surprise amount for the move. Fast forward a month to Friday February 18th where soundersfc.com reported the signing of Eddie Johnson from Montreal for Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito.  The Sounders did exactly what management had hinted at weeks before as they gave up potential talent to gain immediate talent in a swap with Montreal who picked Johnson number one in the MLS allocation process. Attacking forward Eddie Johnson is a former US World Cup International and MLS star who played for FC Dallas and Kansas City from 2000-2007. Just days ago mlssoccer.com reported that Johnson was making a move back to the league he began his career with as his time with EPL’s Fulham was rather disappointing, which saw him on loan more than with the London club. Johnson is 27 years old, a dynamic attacking player with plenty of international experience and can be compared to American goal scorer Edson Buddle. But what did Seattle have to give up in order to sign the forward who once scored 41 MLS goals? The cost for Johnson was two forwards and local heroes in Lemar Neagle and Mike Fucito. Neagle was a uprising talent in the Sounders organization and community favorite as he was born just outside Seattle in Tacoma, Washington. Fucito was also a rising star and a key figure in goal scoring during the Sounders CONCACAF Champions  League matches and US Open Cup Championships. Both players were adored by fans and the trade of the two forwards will taint the present relationship with the fans–something the Sounders take pride in. The signing of Eddie Johnson is a statement to Sounders fans and the entire league–the Sounders are building a championship team for 2012. It seems Seattle has taken a lesson from the present MLS Champion LA Galaxy; build up goal scoring depth for the now, not necessarily the future. Although Fucito and Neagle were bright talents, Johnson will provide the goal scoring spark and experience immediately; and with Steve Zakuani still fully recovering, scoring goals early in the season will be crucial. Sounders fans may be unhappy with losing their beloved heroes, but I’m sure a MLS Cup would heal any wounds that may have occurred from this move. Seattle is building a championship squad for the 2012 season, and the signing of forward Eddie Johnson will give the Sounders more goal scoring, experience, and added depth. Seattle’s late move for Johnson was surprising, but it may he may be the surprise attack that leads the Sounders to a 2012 MLS Cup title.

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Featured, MLS

Can Seattle Engineer a Turnaround against Real Salt Lake?

Many were left stunned and silent in the wake of Seattle’s lopsided 3-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium last weekend.

After a season of triumphs and accolades, to see the Sounders bossed off the field in game of that magnitude came as something of a surprise.

Overlooking Real Salt Lake that night would be unfair, of course. Jason Kreis had the game plan in place, and his team executed it to near perfection, overcoming the loss of starting center backs Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave to blank the high-powered Sounders attack. Javier Morales continued to return to form after his horrific injury, while his central midfield partner Kyle Beckerman was his solid and steady self. And let’s not forget Alvaro Saborio’s peach of a second goal.

Staring at a 3-0 deficit, Seattle has comfort in a return home, where they’ve managed to score at least three goals on five separate occasions this year.

None of those other victims were on the same level as Salt Lake is heading into this one, though if Borchers or Olave both can’t go, hope springs eternal for the Sounders.

After the jump, we’ll take a look at what each team can do tonight to advance.

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Featured, MLS, United States

Seattle Seek Third Straight U.S. Open Cup Against Chicago

There’s only one thing standing between the Chicago Fire and a record-tying fifth U.S. Open Cup win.

A bastion of 35,000 screaming fans at Century Link Field and the surging Seattle Sounders – gunning for a third straight Cup of their own.

If these two sides met a couple of months ago, the tournament’s 98th final on Tuesday would threaten to be a very one sided affair, with Seattle one of the best teams in the league, and Chicago petering out in the mid-summer heat.

Fortunes have changed since as the Fire enter Tuesday’s game at Century Link Field (10 pm ET) having won three of their last four games, remaining alive in the postseason chase, and will provide a much more significant threat to Seattle’s chase of a third straight U.S. Open Cup. (more…)

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MLS, United States

Seattle, LA: Separate From the Pack

As the playoff picture continues to come into focus – meaning teams are starting to actually clinch spot – it begs the question: who is the best team in MLS?

Of course, because of the playoff format, the best regular season record might not win the battle of attrition and make its way to the MLS Cup, but entering the playoffs this time around, it’s clear that Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy have placed some distance between themselves and the rest of the league.

Seattle’s ability to overcome a season-ending injury to Steve Zakuani is a testament to the club’s perseverance and roster construction ability. No matter who seems to be plugged into the system, it’s clicked especially in the last month.

A big reason for that is Mauro Rosales, who, before suffering a slight tear in his MCL against D.C. United over the weekend, had thrust himself into the conversation as league MVP. His passing ability picked apart United on the weekend, as he had a hand in all three goals. (more…)

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United States

A Home Stadium for American Soccer

ANTHONY MANNINO- The England National team plays at Wembley stadium and the Mexico National team has the intimidating Estadio Azteca, but what stadium can the United States call home? For the English they have the familiarity of Wembley stadium and the players know this is where they will play their home games and they do not have to adjust to playing in a different stadium for each game. The second advantage is apparent for Mexico when they play at the Estadio Azteca where the crowd strikes fear into opposing teams and gives inspiration for the Mexican National team. These are the two distinct advantages that a home stadium gives a team. I think the United States National team should start playing in the Pacific Northwest for their big games, so they can have the same advantages that England and Mexico have.

Currently, the official stadium for US soccer is the Home Depot Center located in Carson, California. However, it is far from the home stadium for USMNT since only two of the past fourteen home games have been played there. Also, the New Meadowlands stadium has hosted the same amount of US home games over the past two years. The size of the stadium is not ideal either, only 27000 available seats is not enough to support a large US fan base. (more…)

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News in brief

TUES March 15 (AM): Champions League, Capello and MLS

Manchester United and Inter Milan became the next two teams to punch their ticket to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Man U disposed of Marseille with a 2-0 win while the defending champions beat Bayern 3-2 to advance 3-3 on away goals.

It’s expected that Fabio Capello will hand the captain’s armband back to John Terry before England’s European qualifier next week. Capello stripped Terry of the armband after his affair with teammate Wayne Bridge’s wife made headlines. It’s excepted that Terry’s successor Rio Ferdinand will not be pleased.

Germany coach Joachim Low extended his contract with the team for two additional years.

This exists. And it’s awesome.

An interesting profile of “footballing refugee” Shefki Kuqi.

Major League Soccer kicks off tonight with the Galaxy taking on the Sounders. Los Angeles thinks they’ll win. So does Seattle.

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News in brief

TUES Jan. 25 (AM) Uruguayans on the move (or not), more suspensions at Sky, Portland’s official

Transfer drama continues, most notably this morning is Ajax, who are just asking for a little respect from Liverpool as the Merseyside squad tries to sign Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Perhaps the lack of respect is part of why the deal has apparently stalled.

Suarez’s strike partner at the world cup Diego Forlan won’t be moving stateside any time soon, at least not as a member of the Seattle Sounders.

Chelsea is looking to to bolster its defense and sign Benfica defender David Luiz. Ancelotti says he’s interested, but isn’t sure the Blues can sign him during this window.

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News in brief

MON Jan. 24 (AM): On Forlan, Americans Abroad, EPL, Man U, and USMNT

Following reports that a potential move to Tottenham has fallen through, rumors have surfaced indicating that World and UEFA Cup hero Diego Forlan may be headed to the MLS to don the Rave Green of the Seattle Sounders.

A look into Brad Friedel’s financial troubles following a spectacular game for the American and his club team, Aston Villa, as they defeated Manchester City 1-0.

Several other Americans had a memorable weekend, with Jermaine Jones earning his boss’ praise in his EPL debut, Clint Dempsey tallying a brace, and Jonathan Spector continuing his remarkable transformation for West Ham with another important goal. Stuart Holden and a struggling Bolton side host Chelsea today (3:00 PM ET), whose boss Carlo Ancelotti will hope to find a seat for the match.

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