Are You Going to the Gold Cup Game? Why the Hell Not? (UPDATED with link to win tickets)
By: Laurie |
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So our US men are here tomorrow, playing in their first match after that amazing Confederations Cup run where they beat the #1 team in the world, Spain, in the semis and then came oh-so-close to beating Brazil and taking it all.
Yes, here. Right here in Seattle, at our very own Qwest field, the site that has broken all attendance records for MLS. So they should be sold out, right?
Wrong. Last I heard, they’d sold only 8,000 tickets. USL Sounders sold more for their USOC semifinal a couple of years ago. Yes, USL. And our USL attendance generally sucked.
This is, sadly, almost always a problem for the US National Team, except when they play countries like Mexico in a border state, where the majority of fans are cheering for the other team.
I have to believe we can do better.
Okay, yes, I know that the biggest stars of the Confed Cup have been allowed to go home, so no Landon Donovan. (Although they’ve expanded the roster to 30, which means guys like Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore should be there.) And I know it’s just Grenada. And I know the timing is awkward — the US men are playing at 6:00, which is both too early and too late.
But still, you’ll be done before 8:30. Which gives you plenty of time to get out and go lie on the grass in a beer-induced haze for the several hours it takes you to realize that Ivar’s isn’t doing a fireworks show this year.
(I know, right? Sucks. I have wonderful memories from a few years back of oohing and aahing in Myrtle Edwards Park while sharing our pizza with some homeless guy. True story.)
But anyhoo. It’s not just the US Men, it’s a double-header! So not only can you see US vs. Grenada, you can show up at 4:00 and see Honduras vs. Haiti! Four hours of entertainment, with cheap seats still available. I’m sure they’ll be selling tickets at the gate, and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous. Plus: Brad Evans is on the roster. Our Brad Evans.
(You know. The CosmoGirl “Hottie”? Yeah. That Brad Evans.)
So come on, people. What better way to show our patriotism than by cheering our US boys in their first game back in this hemisphere?
Come on. You know you want to.
UPDATE: Steve at Prost Amerika has five pairs of tickets to give away. So now you can’t even use “I can’t afford it” as an excuse. Because it doesn’t get any cheaper than “free.”
Category: Seattle Team News
The Newest Member of the Sounders Family
By: Steve | 3 Comments
For those of you who haven’t seen it, this just in from the Sounders FC press people:
Sounders FC Signs Costa Rica International Gonzalez
RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC have signed Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Gonzalez’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 work permit and International Clearance.
Gonzalez, 28, will join Sounders FC after completing his call in to the national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has been capped 59 times by Costa Rica, including three starts during the 2006 World Cup.
“It’s nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player. He can play left back, play center back in a pinch, and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach. “He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He’s very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively.”
Costa Rica currently leads the final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF. There are five qualifiers remaining, beginning August 12 at Honduras.
The Ticos open Gold Cup play on July 3 against El Salvador in Los Angeles. They face Jamaica in Columbus on July 7 and complete group play versus Canada on July 10 in Miami. The Gold Cup runs through July 26, with the final being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Gonzalez last played for Liberia Mia, newly crowned champion of the Costa Rican first division. Previously he was with Club Sport Herediano, which was runner-up in 2007.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Signed MF Leo Gonzalez
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 174
Birthdate: 11/21/1980
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Last Club: Liberia Mia (Costa Rica)
So, the weakest position on the Sounders team has been reinforced with the arrival of the Costa Rican international. Sorry about that Mr. Wahl. It looks like we won’t get too see him in action for another month, but he should help take some of the pressure off of Tyrone and Hurtado and give us another threat from the back besides Riley.
Bienvenidos Leo!
Category: Seattle Team NewsSo Why Doesn’t Our New Costa Rican Leftback Have a Wiki Page in Spanish?
By: Laurie | 3 Comments
As Steve says up above, ^^^Leonardo González, welcome to the Sounders!
He’ll start after they take care of the International Clearance thing (whatever the hell that is) and the work permit thing. Oh, and that pesky Gold Cup thing.
Based on how badly Costa Rica kicked the United States’ guys’ collective heinies recently, my guess is he’ll be occupied up to the bitter end, which would be July 26. Although according to FIFA records, it doesn’t look like he was a part of that Costa Rica-US qualifier. Which is kind of too bad, because those guys were good.
But if he’s playing the Gold Cup, he has to be good too, right? Plus, given our FO’s success in discovering amazing foreign players, I’m qute hopeful that our one big question mark in the lineup, leftback, has been taken care of.
(Zach and Tyson, we still love you.)
And more good news is that he can also play centerback, which should relieve some pressure on Tyrone Marshall’s 34-year-old bod.
And now that we’ve dispensed with the basics, here’s what really puzzles me about our new guy: The list of languages his Wiki page has been translated into.
Deutsch
Français
Bahasa Indonesia
Italiano
Nederlands
Polski
Suomi
So basically we have German, French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, and “Suomi,” whatever the hell that is.*
But no Spanish. Seriously. Somebody want to explain this to me?
I am so disillusioned. I thought Wikipedia ruled the universe.
*Of course I couldn’t not look this up. It’s actually Finnish. Because that’s exactly one of the languages I would have imagined would take precedence over Spanish.
Category: Seattle Team NewsTen Things We Learned in the Portland-Seattle USOC Game
By: Laurie | 18 Comments
10. Blatant time-wasting is just as embarrassing when we do it.
Seriously, Sanna? What. The. Hell?
If you’re a parent, you were watching this last night and being reminded of the first time your little darling did something like bite a playmate. You look at those little teeth as they chomp down and you think, “But…but…but… My child doesn’t DO that!!!”
Apparently he does. For long periods of time. (Seriously, it was like he was parodying — or channeling — Ekpo from the Columbus game.)
(But that doesn’t make throwing objects at a downed player any less classless, Portland fans.)
Does anybody know the full story here? It felt out of character, especially given what a fantastic game Nyassi had otherwise. This, and the referee’s response to it, were just…bizarre.
9. This would be called a “seriously bad day”:
As far as I’ve heard, this was the only arrest, though. Not bad, people.
8. Portland fans on their best behavior are not that bad.
All eyes were on them yesterday, and the MLS deal is not a sure thing. Hats off to the FO for communicating that fan behavior mattered.
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Category: Seattle Team NewsIf You’re Watching the Portland-Seattle USOC Game, Leave Comments Here!
By: Laurie | 66 Comments
Those of us not lucky enough to be in Portland tonight are watching FSN closely because we really, really want the Mariners game done before 7:00.
Looking good at the moment. Last I checked, it wasn’t even 6:00 and it was 7th Inning Stretch time. Now I’m just hoping the Ms don’t come back and tie it. Love you guys, but not as much as the Sounders. Especially tonight.
This is a BIG game for both teams. Roster according to Seattle Times:
———–Keller———–
Riley, Ianni, Hurtado, Wahl
Nyassi, King, Vagenas, Sturgis
—–Levesque, Le Toux——
Don’t know about you, but that central midfield makes me all kinds of nervous. I hope I’m wrong, and that Le Toux isn’t spending all his time back defending when we need him working with Roger up front. I’m also not sure about Sturgis. But I hope.
Oh, also, read somewhere that Michael Fucito made the trip and could get a shot tonight.
Not sure if Steve will be showing up here to liveblog. I could do it, but I’m not sure my nerves are up to liveblogging. So I’ll just hang out here and leave comments. If you’re watching the game, stop by and keep me company.
Game is live on FSN (assuming the Mariners game is over) or on your computer at USLLive.com.
Category: Seattle Team NewsOur Very Own Jarrod Smith is one of the Top Ten “más guapos” in the Confederations Cup
By: Laurie | 7 Comments
First, I would like to start with what is becoming my standard Sounders “hottie” (shudder) disclaimer, as originally expressed in that Brad Evans Cosmo Girl thing.
The day I think of one of our young players as a “hottie” is the day I gouge out my own eyes and chop off my blogging fingers.
Got it? Good. Because I’m way too damn old for this kind of thing.
However, I do know that this blog has a number of younger female readers, and therefore I feel it is my duty as a blogger to inform you that our very own Jarrod Smith has been chosen as “Top Ten: los más guapos de la Copa Confederaciones” by the Spanish-language website Proposa.
I also need to tell you that he’s #9. Which kind of offends me. But at least he beat Xabi Alonso, right?
Wait. Xabi Alonso’s on the list? What the hell?
I mean…um…yeah. I have never given this kind of thing any consideration and have no idea what they’re talking about.
But anyhoo. Congratulations, Jarrod. Way to represent MLS.
Category: Seattle Team NewsPortland FO Tries to Head Off Fan Violence in US Open Cup Match
By: Laurie | 19 Comments
It’s no secret that there is no love lost between Portland and Seattle when it comes to our soccer teams.
Okay, that’s a bit of an understatement. “Teams and supporters groups would cheerfully rip each other’s hearts out and consume them while they’re still beating” might be slightly more accurate. And with Seattle now in the MLS and Portland not joining us for two years, this rivalry doesn’t have many opportunities for pressure release. This makes tomorrow’s US Open Cup match HUGE for both sides.
And the biggest problem with this match is that it’s winner-take-all. One side is going to go home thrilled, and the other is going home heartbroken. Couple high emotions with alcohol and there’s some real potential for…for…not good stuff.
I haven’t stopped by any of the Portland supporter forums recently, but I know that Seattle has a number of busloads of fans going down, and the Seattle forums have been filled with, “Watch your bags and watch your backs” warnings. My guess is it’s the same on the other side.
So it’s no surprise that there’s a lot of trepidation among the powers about this game tomorrow night. To try to head off the potential explosion, the Portland FO sent out the following announcement to the Timbers Army, the main Portland Supporters Group:
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Category: Seattle Team NewsFive Ways to Avoid Sounder Withdrawal
By: Steve | 5 Comments
Are you feeling groggy and slower than usual? Do you lack the energy to get out of bed in the morning? Are your eyes red and irritated? Do you feel empty and unfulfilled?
Category: Seattle Team NewsI Want Some of These for OUR Guys. (Oh, and Vote Nate!)
By: Laurie | 4 Comments
I swiped this photo from Kristina over at the Crew blog. What do you think? Pretty easy to picture our logo on it, eh? And I can also easily imagine one on the hands of Kasey, Fredy, Freddie, Nate and the gang.
Also, I woke up smiling to myself this morning and couldn’t figure out why. Then I realized that in that kind of twilight place between awake and asleep, my brain had replayed that third goal. The really sweet one where the formerly MeMeMe Montero did NOT take the shot straight at the keeper, and instead dummied it to Nate Jaqua, who made the goal.
What does this mean? It means two things:
1) That goal was really special, not just because of what it was, but for what it represented about our offense’s ability to actually play together, and
2) I’m dreaming about this team, people. This is kind of disturbing.
And speaking of that goal, our Nate and his two goals and one assist were enough to get him the Player of the Week award. Which probably means some MLS voting types dreamed about that goal too. Which is even more disturbing.
(Did anybody ever read “The Stand,” where all the people start having the same dream? Pretty sure this is something like that. So…yeah. If it happens to you, go to Boulder. Not Las Vegas. Trust me on this one.)
And speaking MORE of that goal and the Player of the Week thing, does the fact that the award gives me all kinds of warm fuzzy feelings in my maternal area make me a mama giraffe? Enquiring minds want to know.
(And to whoever came up with the baby giraffe image to describe Nate running down the field? Now that is all I can think about. Thanks so much.)
But the biggest point of this post is that Jaqua is also up for Goal of the Week and you need to vote!
Because come on, folks. We let Montero down last week. (And by we, I might actually mean you. Unless you voted. Because I did. Is all I’m saying.) What happened was, Fredy was leading, then Eric Avila took it away from him.
Yes, Eric Avila. Seriously. And Dallas doesn’t even have any freakin’ fans. So explain that one to me.
Sorry, Sounders guys. We got complacent. It won’t happen again.
Category: Seattle Team NewsLive From My Couch: Seattle Sounders FC v. Colorado Rapids
By: Steve | 18 Comments
The final whistle blows. Must feel good to be a Sounder right now. Outstanding game, though shaky in the first half. 3-0 Man of the match goes to Fredy Montero with a goal and two assists, but more importantly showing the vision and awareness of an elite player. Great stuff from the boys in Rave Green.
92′- Marshall heads it out for a throw in. NEARLY gets his hat trick… Jaqua gathers the ball as Pickens makes a mistake coming out for the ball. Jaqua tripped up but no foul there.
90′- Cummings has a great chance but skies it over the bar. He had about 25 angles to choose from. Maybe harder to miss than score there.
89′- Montero knocked down but refuses to relinquish the ball. What a day he is having.
87′- Peter Vagenas replaces Ljunberg who exits to a deserved standing ovation. All smiles as he comes off… that is something new.
86′- Nearly 4-0 as Jaqua makes a great run by a heavy touch prevents him from getting a shot off for his hat trick. Le Toux collects the rebound but it denied by the defender. Hurtado made it all happen with a great tackle and then Ljunberg played a perfect ball over the top to Nate.
85′- Montero loses the ball cheaply. Seemed to lose focus there for a second.
83′- Stringing 8, 9, 10 passes together. Montero lays it off to Le Toux but the Ihemelu is there.
81′- Freddie stood up and knocked down by Ihemelu. Foul.
80′- Keller high fives Seattle fans as he goes to collect a ball for a goal kick.
79′- Sounder’s controlling possession well, trying to run down the clock. Ljunberg having his way against Colorado but gets a bit too cute and loses the ball.
78′- Poor clearance from Marshall there, had options but went straight up in the air instead. Great play there from Montero to chest it down and play Ljunberg through. Cross is not enough though and is cleared out of danger.
77′- Colorado 13 shots to Seattle’s 6… that is efficiency folks.
76′- SOUNDERS!!! SOUNDERS!!!! SOUNDERS!!!! go the fans.
75′- Nice play and ideas from Freddie and Fredy on the left sideline. Ball rolls just over the line though.
73′- Wow… Freddie makes a devastating run into the box, beats several players and is tripped up by the keeper after the ball goes by him. Somehow that is legal.
71′- Looking at that goal again, that was more of a dummy than a pass to Jaqua. Either way great play by the young lad.
70′- Good fair play from Seattle as they are attacking but a Colorado player is down.
69′- Goal saving tackle by Hurtado makes the counter happen. Soccer sucks that way sometimes as you think you’re gonna score and then end up getting scored on. Great touch by Montero on that one puts this one away.
67′- Ianni shields the ball well, gets pushed down by Belluschi, and then Ianni is whistled for a foul… ummmmmm, okay…. Well, I am trying to make sense of what just happened but somehow Colorado did not score from something reminiscent of a pinball machine. On the counter, Seattle takes it down, a beautiful ball from Le Toux and a layoff to Jaqua records him his second assists. GOALLLLLLLLLLLL, 3-0. Assist to Montero and Le Toux on his very first touch.
66′- Keller saves that one from a corner. That is what a veteran keeper can do for you.
65′- 25 minutes more for 3 points, dont blow it, dont blow it, dont blow it.
64′- Attendance: 32,526. All-time Sounder’s record by a slim 3 person margin.
63′- Goal kick for Keller. Good defensive play by Harvey who takes the ball away from Freddie to end a promising attack.
62′- James Riley slides in to break up the play, another corner for the Rapids. Nyassi comes off the line to clear the ball to midfield. Gibbs tries to turn but Hurtado says no.
61′- Marshall is there in the box to close out Cummings. Corner for Colorado. Colin Clark to take it.
60′- LaBrocca’s hair is horrible. It looks like it would bite you if you got too close. Montero tries to send a pass to Jaqua, very good idea but it is intercepted. Montero really putting his splendid vision and passing on display today.
59′- Nyassi whistled for a foul. Colorado is lucky as Nyassi had the whole field ahead of him. Riley deflects a cross and Seattle is off to the races. Great run from Ljunberg but he can’t beat the last man. Jaqua is pulled down by LaBrocca. Free kick for the shirt tug.
58′- Nice buildup fizzles out with a poor cross from Riley.
57′- Pickens punches the ball high and it rolls out for a goal kick this time.
56′- Montero wins a tough ball and then flicks it to Ljunberg. Back to Montero who wins a corner. It was NEARLY awarded as a goal kick, but Sounders fans got the ref to change his mind.
55′- Alonso has a left groin injury apparently. Jaqua is offside. Riley intercepts the free kick and plays it to Jaqua who tries to flick on Montero. Almost. First offensive play from Riley in a while.
54′- Is it me or is someone down and hurt every 20 seconds this game?? Are these guys all too old or is the MLS just too dirty?
53′- Noonan jumped too early on a Cummings cross or he would have been in perfect position for a goal. Clark is down on the field… FIFA fair play…
51′- Throw in for the Sounders in the attacking 3rd. Jaqua with a heavy touch and Colorado is able to move out to midfield. Noonan plays in a low ball that is cleared. I can’t believe these refs just missed that offsides, hahahahah. Nyassi is hustling hard, making the most of his chance to be on the field.
50′- Nyassi gets after the ball but it goes out over the line…
49′- Up 2-0 now, good thing Bob Bradley is not our coach.
48′- GOALLLLL Montero slips in Nate perfectly from the 18 who hesitates just long enough for Pickens to commit and then slots it in to the side of the net. Beautiful. Nate’s 5th
46′- The announcers just said that Ianni was doing an excellent job filling in for Xavi Alonso… Wishiful thinking.
Halftime
45+’- Monetero taking down. Evans has the ball stolen by Noonan, but Ianni reacts well before the Colorado attack can start. Ball is pin balling around the Seattle box but Colorado cannot get a shot off. Deflected by Marshall for a corner. Jaqua heads it out. Handball on the Rapids. Half-time whistle blows.
45′- Ilamalu’s cross is played out. Ljunberg finds Jaqua on the right flank who goes back to Freddie. Great play but an even better sliding tackle from the Colorado defender to break up the pass. Montero on the left flank and the cross is deflected by Pickens.
44′- Colorado corner caught by Keller who tries to play it up to a deep Montero. No dice.
43′- Mastroeni plays a great ball to Cummings who takes it into the corner of the box and then loses the rock to the wall that is Hurtado, who shields the ball until he draws a foul.
42′- Ianni came on for Alonso.
41′- MLS play is so dirty its sad. Great defensive play from Nyassi…. Evans to Nyassi finds its way out for a corner.
39′- Alonso walks off the field under his own power, but it does not look good for the young man from Cuba. Announcers talking about Seattle’s midfield depth and Le Toux’s ankle problem. For those of you who don’t know Le Toux suffers from an ankle condition called “I played against Kevin Goldwaite last week.”
38′- Goal kick to Keller. Alonso is down looks like a groin or hamstring issue.
34′- Karma works its magic as the ball comes flying back off the post. Corner for Colorado.
33′- Four-man wall as the ball is within shooting range. Headed down by Alonso. Call for a handball comes about 150 minutes too late. Absolutely horrendous and unprofessional officiating to take that long to make a call. Hard to argue the call itself although it looked like Alonso was simply protecting his face he moved his hands into the path of the ball.. the ball didnt play him
32′- Ball into the area is deflected high and falls to Keller. Where was the foul there?? Clark draws a foul on Marshall, but I am not really sure for what.
31′- Alonso comes in a bit late and a free kick is awarded to the Rapids.
30′- LaRocca dribbles out of bounds while Montero pesters him.
29′- Jaqua turns Mastroeni who hauls down Nate. Good foul, but an unnecessary card for Mastroeni.
28′- Pass from Riley intercepted by Colin Clark who dribbles really fast down field and then… blows it.
27′- Montero feeds it to Freddie, who trips on some confetti. Foul on LaBrocca. Ljunberg is caught in the confetti again… watch out dude. Nearly scores on the free kick, but Pickens is there to deflect it.
25′- Noonan plays LaBrocca in who hits it straight at Keller. Keller’s kick goes to no one.
23′- Nyassi wins it from Noonan on the right side, but the balls goes out for the corner. GOALLLLLL JAQUA… nope Montero!!!! FINALLY GETS ONE WITH HIS HEAD!!!! WOOO, 1-0 Seattle. Jaqua runs some weird play where he gets a self-screen from his own player then heads it far post where Montero is waiting to redirect it. His 8th.
21′- Were back and with the restart ball nearly finds its way from Nyassi to Freddie. Corner. Swallowed up by the keeper.
19′- Long ball to Jaqua who is taken down hard. Jaqua shielded the ball well and now it looks like Gibbs is the one that is hurt after trying to knock around Nate.
17′- Tuning in after the USA game here and the first image is Freddie holding his knee on the ground… I already miss watching international play.
USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!
Category: Seattle Team News
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