This graph representing the 1920’s stock market crash also happens to represent the exact trend of the team’s awesomeness since defeating Houston on July 11. Obama, we need bailout money in the form of someone who can finish consistently.

9. How lost we looked without Freddie Ljungberg in the middle. Seattle was obviously going to suffer from missing the “quarterback,” but I did not think it would be that bad. It took the boys an entire half to start stringing passes together. The choppiness of the game did not help, but it seemed like Freddie would have thrived in the pace out there, but instead left a big, red hole.

8. Alonso’s own goal:

7. James Riley’s lack of discipline on his red card. That was a bad tackle, and he was obviously heated, maybe rightly so. The ref was not calling the little pushes and pulls, but he was calling it just the same on both sides of the field. His ejection lost the game.

6. The amount of Seattle Sounder’s fans in attendance. There were almost as many green jerseys as blue, and they started off louder than the Earthquake fans…. that quickly changed after the own goal.

5. How poor San Jose keeper Joe Cannon’s judgment and decision-making ability is, compared to how excellent and elite his reactions and reflexes are. By poor judgment, I am referring to not the one, but two times he tried to dribble around Le Toux instead of picking up the ball.

4. Sanna Nyassi does not play more. He tends to come on and instantly become the quickest and most crafty player on the pitch, which begs the question… why isn’t he on it more? Someone tell Sigi he is not contractually obligated to bring Le Toux on as a sub every single game at the 70th minute… he could mix it up a bit. Maybe Nyassi will more looks with Montero off on international duty.

3. It is possible to pay $12.00 for a beer. At the stadium, which is Santa Clara university, 22 oz. Coronas cost $12.00. I just never thought I would ever pay that much for any drink with out A) gold or B) liquor in it.

2. The Sounders have not won a road game since April 4, but somehow remain in 2nd place in the West.

1. Sigi was caught “green-handed.” As in, he was picking his nose and the camera got him. I cannot find the exact minute, but multiple people have told me it happened. No wonder we lost 4-0, he was preoccupied…

90+4′- All Seattle has to do is hold on now. Possess the ball and not give it away like Riley just did. Fredy is off the the races, plays it wide to Le Toux but the final ball is not good enough.

90′- Very unprofessional foul from Kamara. Yellow card and Freddie is wasting away Houston’s time. He should too, pathetic foul by Kamara. Should be a red. Freddie comes out and is walking quite slow. Levesque is in. 4 minutes of extra time.

89′- Ianni doesn’t let Kamara turn, who had the ball in a dangerous position. Houston is making its last stand here, scrambling for an equalizer.

88′- Corner for Houston. Nearly an equalizer but it looks like Keller got a finger or two to it. Wahl heads the ball across the middle of his own goal. Not too smart young man.

86′- Great tackling from Houston’s Erik Ustruk. Montero needed to get a shot off there. Seattle fans area really tearing into Waibel… I hope they don’t know hes from Portland or that might make things worse.

85′- Now back to Houston. Waibel is hearing it Hurtado plays an ill-advised ball half way back to Keller, but King is around to clean up his mess.

84′- Great idea from Montero who tried to slip Freddie through. Just broken up by James, who seems to be single-handedly keeping Houston alive in this game. Out for an attacking Seattle throw.

83′- Corner played short. Ashe too fast for Ljungberg. Side note: Houston had two shots in the first twelve minutes and no shots again until the 80th.

82′- Jaqua winds up and shoot but it deflects off the defender, who did not really know too much about it. Corner. Freddie pumps up the crowd.

80′- Attack looks good but the final ball is too far away from Montero. Save from Keller making it look easy.

79′- Waibel knocks over Ljungberg, and Freddie is not happy about it at all. Actually, Waibel hit Freddie in the head with the ball… mature…

78′- Houston with a bit of possession now, but not really going anywhere.

77′- Kamara drags Riley down. Foul on Kei.

75′- Onstad gobbles up the cross from Freddie. A nearly moment for Houston. Kamara makes a far post cross that is too high for the lil’ guy Ashe.

74′- Foul on Vagenas, his 97th. Great move here from Seattle. Ljungberg in the box… great steal by Julius James who has been very impressive today. Todays attendance: 32,404.

72′- Seattle fans want a penalty as Freddie goes down, but no chance they give that penalty there.

71′- Montero slips through on the right side but waits too long to shoot. The angle was already closed. Throw in Seattle from the kick save. Fredy just megged Waibel wayyyyy too coldly. Yellow for Waiebl who pulled him down.

70′- 8, 9, 10 passes in a row for Seattle, but cough it up in a dangerous place. Jaqua misreads the ball from Freddie.

69′- It misses everyone’s head, but nearly goes in at the far post.

68′- Foul on the left flank. Ashe takes down Wahl. Free kick Seattle.

67′- QWest is rocking. Eveyrone seems to be chanting and clapping.

65′- Peter Vagenas receives a yellow card for something or other.

63′- Houston really does not like Peter Vagenas. He is being shoved, tripped and knocked over every time I look at him. Good, let them waste their energy.

62′- Seattle pushing Houston back again until Montero loses it. Throw in Seattle. Sub for Houston, their third. Oduro is out, Akinbiyi in.

60′- Le Toux caught offside on the break for Seattle. What a shame.

59′- Boos raining down but Chabala must have been hurt as he comes off for #6 Erik Ustruk.

58′- Seattle keeps up the attack. Riley plays a ball to Jaqua who skies the shot over the crossbar. So close. A man is down for Houston, or just a man buying time as Seattle really seems to have taken over the momentum in this game. Freddie calls the Sounders in for a huddle.

57′- Ljungberg’s free kick is straight to Onstad. Fredie breaks free but great recovery speed shown by Julius James.

56′- Sub for Seattle. Zakuani is coming off and Le “I like to run” Toux steps on to the field to a hearty cheer. The guy in the press box just called him Steve Zakoony….errrrr.

55′- Hand ballon Oduro. Vagenas and Oduro still having a little pushing match. Chabala latches on to Montero on a give and go. Free kick Seattle.

54′- Sub for Houston. Danny Cruz for Brian Mullan.

53′- The official ruling on Ianni goal is in: it was a tricycle kick, not a bicycle. Montero tries to spit two defenders but fouls Chabala as he dispossesses him.

52′- Poor shot from Oduro… way too high and form an impossible angle.

51′- Played all the way back. Really trying to control the ball here.

50′- Attacking throw in for Seattle.

49′- Seattle really attacking Houston now, possessing the ball, switching the field.

48′- Through ball to Freddy who plays a nice ball in the box but broken up by Julius James. Good corner but no goal this time.

46′- Corner already for Seattle as Onstad has to come out to break up the ball to Jaqua. GOALLLLL Ianni just biked it… yup… biked it. Wow. 2-1 Seattle. Zakuani heads it down, bounces up to Ianni who calmly puts it past Onstad.

Half-time: Well, we should feel pretty good about 1-1. Houston is showing it defends well even with its backup central defenders. Montero’s goal did not cross the line, but it was called a goal and that is that. Houston is an extremely efficient team on attack, nothing too fancy of quick, but they are capable of passing us, and probably any other team in the MLS, to death.

45+1′- Houston on the attack but can’t find a shot.

45′- Good ball from Oduro, but no one is there at the far post to bury it. 1 minute added on.

44′- Zakuani finds Montero’s head who can only push it backwards. A foul is called on Jaqua as he roughs up the defender. Free kick Houston

43′- Attacking throw in results in a shot. Steve’s shot is saved by Onstad off the post. Now yellows are flying as Hurtado and then Riley are each shown the card.

42′- Freddie running hard through the middle but loses it. Barely. Throw from Keller starts the attack.

41′- Hurtado with a beautiful diving clearance.

40′- The ref is giving a warning as Oduro and Vagenas are not being too friendly to one another. Great play from Zakuani but where was the trailer?

39′- Freddie on the attack, plays out wide to Jaqua. Jaqua back to Freddie, who plays it middle but no one is there. Montero barely missed a 360-volley.

38′- Nearly a second goal from Brad Davis but it finds its way into the top of the netting. Talk about diving. Kamara goes to ground. Foul called on Vagenas.

37′- Attacking throw now for the Dynamo.

36′- Another corner for Houston. Ianni clears it off the post and Jaqua gets in the way off a second cross. Another dangerous ball towards Oduro picked up by Keller.

35′- Corner for Houston.

34′- The game is stopped now so the ref can listen to the Houston bench wine…. like they’re really gonna turn over the call?

31′- GOLAZOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Wow… a GREAT ball from Jaqua on the wing is deftly controlled by Montero who hits a low shot passed Onstad. Wow… it DID NOT GO IN!!!! The linesman called it in though. 1-1. The chest trap alone makes it valid.

30′- No one there on the end of Freddie’s corner. Throw in Seattle. Houston is playing so compact and really using their counters well. I know Dustin might get mad, but the ref missed that one. Wahl and Kamara get into a little struggle and he blows it Houston’s way.

29′- Montero goes down in the box trying to draw a penalty. Not even close amigo. Cross form King is deflected out for a corner.

28′- Cross flashes in front of Onstad who gets a hand on it. Cleared away by James. Soudners till with possession but Houston refuses to crack.

27′- Goal kick.

25′- Hard tackle from Vagenas but a free kick given to Houston right outside the box. Dangerous spot. He might have been lucky to avoid a card there. So close.

23′- Dangerous free kick for Seattle from the left flank. Nothing doing.

22′- More excellent defense from Houston as Jaqua is jostled out of position on Freedie’s through ball. Then Montero takes on half the Houston defense and plays a one-two of Ljungberg… Onstad charges well and clears it for a throw.

21′- Nice tackle from Mullan to dispossess Zakuani.

20′- Attacking throw in for Seattle as Zakuani beats Mullan down line. Montero gets a shot but form a tough angle and straight at Onstad.

19′- Throw in for Houston in their own third.

17′- Now some more possession for Seattle. Putting the pressure on the Dynamo now. Good through ball idea from Montero for Vagenas. But it comes up short.

16′- Kamara loses a penalty, but the Sounders are getting pushed back and back. Finally get out with a beautiful run from Zakuani. Should have shot but passes it instead.

13′- Riley nearly catches Onstad sleeping. Corner.

12′- Goal Houston. That is twice Ianni has give up the ball in the box. This time Houston converts on a low strike from Brad Davis. Assist to Brian Mullan.

11′- Nearly a slikp up from Waibel.

10′- A little pushing match starting between Vagenas and Kamara. Let’s see how that develops.

9′- Kei Kamara is soooooo huge… wtf is up with his hair though? Its like there is a little bean stalk growing out of the top of his head. Houston is attacking. His shot goes over the bar. Seattle is struggling to find their ryhthm or a way around the Houston offsides trap. 3 offside calls against Seattle so far.

8′- Nice diagonal ball from Freddie to Steve. but well covered by Houston. Offsides Houston.

7′- Seemingly a lot of space for the gigantic Kei Kamara, but Hurtado quickly closes him down.

6′- Corner for Houston. Keller punches it clear. Tough ball to deal with. Throw in Sounders.

5′- Offsides on Jaqua, but there is that Montero-Jaqua chemistry. Good trap sprung by the Dynamo.

4′- Wow. Ljungberg gets the ball around the 30 and plays Vagenas in. A beautiful slide tackle by a Houston defender dispossesses him but Montero picks it up and slides a cross through the box. No one near it.

3′- Throw in from an attacking position for Seattle. Houston on the attack calmly picked up by ianni.

2′- Early set piece for Houston on the right wing. Look alive Sounders. Poor ball. Broken up by Vagenas. Throw in for Houston. Wahl shield the ball well for a goal kick. Heads up play there.

1′- Zakuani and Ljungberg are on the wings. A bit tentative early from Jaqua as he misplays a short pass.

The teams are taking the field

The national anthem is seemingly coming out of nowhere.

And here come the teams. Sigi’s lineup tonight is as follows: Keller, Ianni, Riley, Hurtado, Wahl, Zakuani, Ljungberg, Vagenas, King, Montero, Jaqua.

This weeks Sounder Golden Scarf goes to… goes toooooooo- I guess I missed it.

It is a beautiful day for soccer in Seattle. Fans are trickling in wearing their rave green.

Columbus Crew
5th place, Eastern Conference
2-6-2 Overall, 0-3-2 Away
Away Goals Scored: 5
Away Goals Conceded: 9

Form: D D W D W

Old Friends

Last year Sigi Schmid won the MLS Supporters shield, MLS Cup and MLS Coach of the Year in his third season with the Columbus Crew. He was also the second coach to win 100 games in the league. After the season, Sigi up and bolted to Seattle. Having been to Columbus, Ohio, I do not blame him one bit.

“It was hard because it had taken us three years to put the team together,” Schmid said about his departure from Columbus. “You can see, despite the record, that it’s still a quality team and a quality group. Winning a championship always puts you in a special place. The way things happened, it is what it is. I’m here now and so you move forward.”

It gets interesting as Scmid will face off against ex-assistant coach Robert “The Polish Rifle” Warzycha. How much the two know each others style is unclear, but it could have a big impact on the match.

“I always have a saying that you always want to win when you play friends,” Schmid said. “If you’re playing somebody you don’t know you only hear about it that day. If you’re playing friends you hear about it for a long time. So you always want to get the win when you’re playing friends because it gives you bragging rights for a little bit of time.”

“El Mellizo”
MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto strikes fear into the heart of MLS defenders, and he should. He scored 62 goals in 192 matches for Boca Juniors to go along with a handful of titles and a near diety-status in his hometown of La Plata, Argentina.

Schelotto came to the MLS in 2007 in search for more playing time. In 2008, he recorded 7 goals and 19 assists and put on one of the more impressive MLS cup performances in league history when he recorded 3 assists in a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bull.

Much like Blanco, there is not much the Seattle defense can do to slow the Argentine ace down. He already has 6 goals this year, good for a tie for the scoring title. The best Seattle can hope for is to keep his back to the goal and make other players try and beat them instead.

Veterans- Good News, Bad News
The Bad News First: Besides Schelotto, Frankie Hejduk, Emmanuel Ekpo, Brian Carroll, Robbie Rogers, Chad Marshall, and Eddie Gaven all have years of experience playing in the MLS (not to mention Pat Noonan, who is struggling with back problems). They are a talented group, built by Sigi, but it was not just Sigi and Schelotto that led this bunch to a championship last year.

The Good News: Hejduk and Carrol are both out, leaving the Crew minus two of their top defenders and their team Capitan.

Somethings Gotta Give
The Crew are unbeaten in their last 6, but have yet to win on the road. The Sounders are unbeaten in their last 5, but with four draws and one win. 10 of the Sounders 16 points this year have come from home. Will one of these teams walk away with a victory, or is ANOTHER draw in order?

Crew Quotable:

We’ve been really unlucky with injuries. To lose BC in the middle of the field, he’s kind of like the heart and soul of this team. We have guys ready to step up. Everyone else on the field is going to have to step up as well but we can do it.

-Robbie Rogers

Injury Report
OUT: MF Adam Moffat (Lhamstring strain); DF Andy Iro (Lquad strain); GK William Hesmer (lumbar back strain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Frankie Hejduik (Lgroin strain)

Seattle Sounders FC
2nd place, Western Conference
4-2-4 Overall, 3-1-1 Home
Home Goals Scored: 8
Home Goals Conceded: 2

Form: W D D D D

Tie One On
Anybody else sick of watching the Sounders tie games? No doubt last weeks 2-2 draw against a dangerous Colorado team can be seen as a positive, especially considering the patchwork midfield, but if the Sounders want to get it done in the regular season, it will not be 1 point at a time.

Considering Seattle’s expansion status, the team’s performance to date has been incredible, but we have all seen the way this team can play when it all comes together with great build up and POISE AND COMPOSURE in front of the goal. Fredy Montero has it, so does Freddy Ljunberg and Brad Evans, but Sebastien Le Toux’s pass first mentality, Steve Zakuani’s panic attacks (or just plan bad luck) and Nate Jaqua’s “rapist touch” (Copyright Drake Townes-Witzel 2009) have cost us a lion’s share of goals this year, and with it a fair share of points.

The Midfield
A week removed from losing central defensive middy Osvaldo Alonso, the group should be bolstered by the return of Freddy Ljunberg and possibly Brad Evans. The disparity between Ljunberg/Alonso v. Vagenas/King was very evident last week, as the defense struggled mightily and the midfield failed to have much impact on offense for the Sounders.

Alonso is key to the success of the defense because of the way he makes opposing midfielder’s lives complete hell. However, at least with Freddy and Brad back, the passing out of the center of the pitch should improve.

Sounders Quotable:

They had a lot of guys that can win the game for them. They are the type of team that if you focus too much on what they do, that’s too much to focus on. So you just have to know you’re back home in front of 30,000 fans – just focus on what you can do and come away with the three points.

-Steve Zakuani

Injury Report
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC – OUT: GK Chris Eylander (Lmedial knee bone bruise); DF Zach Scott (lower abdominal pain); DF Taylor Graham (R mid-foot); DOUBTFUL: MF Osvaldo Alonso (R quad strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Brad Evans (Lankle sprain/Ltibial bone bruise); FW Jarrod Smith (L
hamstring strain); PROBABLE: MF Freddie Ljungberg (migraine recovery)

Prediction
At full strength, the match up is a push talent-wise. However, with two of the Crew’s most important players (Hejduk, Carroll) on the sideline, Seattle is at a major advantage. Mental errors, poor finishing, defensive miscues and Guillermo Barrios Schelotto are the only thing capable of stopping the Sounders. This is not a must-win situation for Seattle, but it is a game they can and should win.

Sounders: 3-1

Seattle cruises into halftime with a 2-0 lead and hold on for the 3-1 victory despite Schelotto’s antics.
Montero with a brace.

19′ Just got MLSnet working…. the post just saved us.. where is the D?
21′ Knocking the ball around nicely, calming down.
22′ Beautiful ball by Blanco to Ward…. Sigi was right about him being a butterfly
22′ Alonso breaks up Fire build up
23′ Chicago is packing it in, 9 man back
24′ Montero finally gets his first touch
25′ Nice move by Montero, Segaris closes him down. Cross from Zuakiani, nicely cleared by Segaris
26′ Blanco is playing a roving MF role and wreaking havoc, luckily only in the midfield so far.
27′ Alonso makes a curical interception, Seattle goes ont he counter.
27′ Ljunberg puts it behind Montero
28′ Nyorka gets a beautiful long ball form McBride, connects with Thorington inside the 18 who muddles it with an akward first touch
29′ Shot, but right at Keller. Chicago is coming straight down the middle of our defense. We look flat.
30′ Marco Papa whips in a cross toward the near post, Hurtado clears it
31′ Seattle is sitting too far back to attack effectively or clear the ball
31′ Rileys cross is cleared and falls to Stevey, who flashes a cross in front of the far post… no one there to connect.
32′ Great last minute clear by Marshall. Seattle seems to be opening up a bit, loosening up the Chicago attack by attacking down the flanks. Chicago giving nothing, not even an inch of space to Freddy Montero or Nate Jaqua
34′ Too much room to break out of the midfield there for Segaris. Someone needs to step to him.
35′ Hard Foul by Soumare on Montero, about 30 yards out on the wing. Evans will take it. Wasted and then knocked back in.. Great defensive football by Chicago.
37′ Cross swung in by Evans from the right flank is cleared yet again.
37′ Hard foul by Ljunberg
38′ Nice Move by Chicago cleared by Hurtado, Seattle to the counter attack.
39′ Seattle’s best offensive move of the night. Zakuani draws two defenders and tries to slip it through to Montero. Busch gets to it first.
40′ Seattle dodges a bullet. Beautiful low cross to McBride who is fractions of a second behind it.
40′ Still no shots by Seattle.
42′ Seattle on their heels. Fire attacking on both flanks, combining well.
43′ Freddy gives it to Nate on the right wing, deep in Fire’s half. He gives it away easily, Fire back in control, not time for the Sounders to breathe.
44′ Ljunberg strips the ball on the touch line. Cross just touched over Montero’s head. Chicago counter attacks ends in a cross by Blanco into the side netting
45′ Kasey trying to calm the troops down.
46′ Cagey play by Ljunberg to let the ball go out. Corner for Seattle. Big moment?
46′ Nothing doing. Ljunberg puts it right on Nate’s head, who puts it about 57 feet over the goal.

First Half: We are lucky to be in a tie game right now. Chicago cannot get that last movement to come together. If they could, it would be about 3-0 right now. We have loosened Chicago’s D a bit, but not enough. Nate and Montero need to do more to get the ball without their back to the goal. Overall, good effort in the last 18 by the defense. They are keeping us in this game so far.

I would like to see Zakuani moved to the forward spot and maybe get Nyassi on the wing and use his speed to gain more penetration against Chicago’s packed defense.

Game Stats
Seattle Sounders FC Chicago Fire
Total Shots: 2 8
Shots on Goal: 0 2
Total Saves: 2 0
Fouls: 4 3
Offsides: 1 1
Corner Kicks: 1 2
Yellow Cards: 1 (Marshall, 1′) 0
Red Cards: 0 0

Second Half
46′ Here we go. No changes I can see.
46′ Brad Evans makes a good run down the right side and draws a foul. They look more agressive.
47′ Sturgis to take the kick. Good cross. Goal kick to Chicago.
48′ The announcer must really like McBride. He wont stop praising him.
48′ Blanco caught offsides.
48′ RED CARD for Montero. Freddy is ejected for a pretty marginal elbow to the face. I just dont see that being a red card. It was more ofn a lifting off his arm than a swipe. Segaris did a great job selling it. I understand trying to keep the players calm, lets see if this makes Seattle even more aggressive.
52′ Nice defense again by Chicago
53′ Nice Cross by Evans. Broken up by Chicago
54′ Sturgis saves a goal by heading away Blanco’s cross. Corner for Chicago, their first. Cleared away.
55′ Keller draws a yellow. Soumare carded for unsporting behavior.
56′ LeToux enters for Steve Zakuani. Another big body up front or to help with the coming Chicago assault?
56′ You can feel Chicago slowly taking control off this game. Not letting Seattle get any momentum with the man down.
59′ Beautiful move to win a corner. Le Toux makes an immediate impact with a run down the left flank. Ljunberg takes the corner. Busch captures it easily.
60′ Keller showing his veteran grit, gobbling up Chicago’s crosses
61′ Dangerous ball from the Midfield, Nyakro caught offsides, or was he?
61′ Seattle applying a bit of pressure of their own. Evans looks more effective on the wing.
62′ Poor clearance by Marshall results in a shot form just outside the 18 by Tim Ward. Blocked by Hurtado.
63′ Free kick from the left flank for Chicago. Blanco to take. Cleared by Marshall, reaction shot well wide form Thorrington
64′ Le Toux caught offside.
66′ Chicago’s first sub Thorrington takes a seat and Chris Rolfe takes over.
66′ Nyorka’s cross is deflected off a Sounder’s defenders, but Chicago keeps the pressure on. Good thing the Seattle D is organized today.
67′ Chicago is throwing everything forward, but can’t seem to break down Seattle so far.
68′ Goal Chicago, 1-0. Marco Pappa takes the cross from Blanco at the 18 and one times it past Keller’s fingers. He nearly got to it. The pressure pays off and Seattle is really on the hot seat now. Can they answer?
71′ Segaris goes off hurt, lead to the locker room by two trainers. Not sure what happened… cramps maybe?
72′ Chicago Substitution: Brandon Prideaux comes in for the injured Segaris.
74′ Evans wins yet another corner. 3rd for Seattle.
74′ Ljunberg takes it…… GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Sounders, 1-1. The corner falls to Tyrone Marshall who buries it in the side netting with his left foot. Salvation for the big Jamaican after being schooled by Blanco?
77′ That was an example of why you sign veterans like Marshall, coolly taken, well placed and timely. Seattle looking like they have 11 men again, taking it at Chicago again.
79′ Chicago knocking it around the back, trying to take control of the game again. Long ball up field somehow goes out for a corner, their 4th. Taken short by Blanco. NEARLY A GOAL by Blanco, no one was marking him but Keller was in the right spot.
80′ Marshall with another last second clear of yet another beautiful ball from Blanco.
81′ Sounders regain possession, Chicago putting plenty of pressure on the midfielders, forcing a turnover. Foul on Blanco against Sturgis. He yells to g-d to ask “WHY????!!!”
82′ Substitution for Seattle. Stephen King, striker, comes in for Ljunberg. This is King’s first appearance and his first touch goes out for a goal kick.
83′ Near chance for McBride bounces into Keller’s steady hands.
83′ Cross by Nyarko straight to Keller
84′ Seattle is moving the wrong way. Chicago’s pressure is giving the midfield no time to look for a pass upfield.
84′ Foul by Alonso on Prideaux. Dangerous with Blanco from 40 yards, but straight to Keller who makes an awkward catch.
85′ Corner for Chicago off the counter.
86′ Blanco takes corner, hits it to the 18 where the balls is banged around until cleared for a throw in. Awarded to Sounders… scratching my head on that one.
87′ More pressure by Chicago. Blanco takes a crack from 25, just high. Can Seattle hold on to the tie?
89′ Corner, Marshall clears another cross over the touch line. He has to be player of the game. Blanco hits it, cleared for a throw in. Riley clears for another Chicago corner
90′ Blanco’s cross safely in Keller’s hands
91′ 4 minutes of stoppage time. Throw in by Sturgis wasted. Sounders are playing for a tie, don’t blame them.
91′ Nyarko caught offsides again. My heart skipped a beat there.
93′ Clearance falls bak to an attacking Chicago
93′ Another wasted long ball from the back by Seattle, content to absorb the attack and hold on for a tie.
94′ Altercation between Riley and..???? Yellow for Riley.
94′ This is it, free kick for the Sounder from inside their own 18.
95′ The final whistle blows, you have to be happy with the result. Marshall is clearly the player of the game and Sounders get their first point on the road.

Chicago fans who aren’t watching the bulls must be disappointed with another miss opportunity by the Fire.

Player grades tomorrow.