So This is What Adversity Looks Like
By: Laurie | April 12th, 2009What happened tonight won’t determine the future of the season. What will determine the future of the season is how we all — players, staff and fans alike — respond to what happened.
First thing? I’m hoping there’s not a huge rush to blame Ben Dragavon for the loss. Yes, Kasey Keller probably could have stopped that goal, but Keller got himself red-carded. I’m not saying it was his fault — that was a helluvan unlucky bounce that sent the ball into his arm. What I’m saying is that Dragavon went into the game in the worst possible circumstances and he did okay. I’m hoping we don’t make him the villain in the loss, especially since we’re probably going to need him next week.
And kudos to Kansas City on that goal. They sensed the weakness and exploited it over and over in that five- or ten-minute period until it finally counted. I’m thinking if Seba had been able to stay on the field, the midfield would have have been able to spread out and give more support, and that goal never would have happened. But he wasn’t, and it did, and we move on.
I’m actually not all that disappointed about this game. What would really have disappointed me would have been the team coming out in the second half and playing as poorly as they did in the first. They weren’t playing that well even before Kasey got sent off, and afterwards it was as if all the stuffing got sucked out of them. I thought Montero should have been subbed off, and those are words I never thought I’d say.
But instead they came out in the second half and fought. Everybody — from Fredy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg to our hellaciously awesome central defenders (MAN I love Hurtado!) — played as if they still wanted it. Three inches lower on that free kick, and this would have been a draw. And that’s what gives me hope that this team can do this, next week and onward. Even playing without Keller next week, even playing against the only team ahead of us in the standings, they can do this.
And we need to support them as they do.
That’s all I’ve got in me tonight. Keep the faith! Scarves up!
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Category: Seattle Team News
Tags: Ben Dragavon, Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero, Kasey Keller, Seattle Team News, Sebastien Le TouxSubscribe
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Comments
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The atmosphere at the match was outstanding tonight! I was so proud to be a part of the Sounders supporters with how amazingly they stuck behind the team the full 90. Ben Dragavon played a great game in the worst of all possible situations, sure Keller could’ve/would’ve stopped that goal… but it’s not fair to ask him to be Keller. Sounders played a great game… but it’s hard to win when you have to play against both the opposition and the refs. Too many things not called that should’ve been… and too many poor calls… what can you do. Sounders Till I Die!!!!
Posted from
United States
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I came home and heard this score, I was fairly depressed. But, once I heard the circumstances, I was proud for the sounders. It sounds like Ben did a fantastic job under that kind of pressure, and got a few good saves himself, so kudos to him. If nothing else, this game showed really how good our team is, only giving up one goal with a man down.
Now I have to go face the music with my KC buds =(.
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United States -
I’m sad that the first Sounders game i go to is the first loss of the season…
But i think we played really well for having been a man down most of the game.
This is just a hiccup in the season, and I’ll be sure to make my way to many more games in the future.
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United States -
Honestly, I don’t think Keller would’ve stopped that goal. Credit where credit’s due… that was a bullet right where it needed to be.
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United States -
If we’re playing by the Laws of the Game, as we’re supposed to be, then Keller shouldn’t have been sent off. One of the primary considerations for applying the handball rule is whether the player moved his hand to the ball or whether the ball moved to the players hand. The KC player kicked the ball into Keller’s hands, making it a clear case of ball-to-hand. That means it shouldn’t have been an offense and therefore not a sending off.
I’m disappointed that we didn’t come away with the result, but I’m hugely impressed with the way we played. We outclassed them in every way for almost the entire second half. I do think Keller makes the save on Arnaud because Dragavon wasn’t far and I think Keller’s better positioning would put him where he needs to be to stop it. Also, if Keller doesn’t get sent off, then Le Toux also stays on the field and it’s likely Arnaud doesn’t have the space to size up that shot.
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United States -
the most important thing about this loss is it will show what type of character our teams posseses. i like to think this will light a fire in the team. sucks to be chivas, cuz here we come.
Posted from
United States
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