Super Bowl Update

By Money Mike


So I've been a couple days late with my work here because I just got re-settled after spending four days in California because my sisters dance team was performing at Disneyland and also I had a lot of studying to do. So for those of you waiting for my EURO 2012 recap, I'll get on it as soon as possible when I get the time. Right now, I'm gonna give you guys a rewind of Seattle's difficult month of June. Of course I'm going to give my positives (this was difficult) and negatives (Parke and Hurtado) about the month and take a look ahead to the month of July and I'm also gonna give my thoughts on the transfer period as the summer transfer window opened up last Wednesday.


Positives:

It was a little difficult finding some positives for this past month because the Sounders still have not won a league match since May 9th and now the team that started 7-1-1 is now 7-5-5. One positive that I'll throw out is that they we're able to keep their win streak in the U.S. Open Cup alive on the road against the top team in the league, the San Jose Earthquakes who have been in great form all season and the Sounders went over there and came away with a 1-0 win on a goal by Cordell Cato to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal against Chivas USA on July 11th at Starfire. Also from what I've seen, I think Mauro Rosales is starting to produce as he picked up a couple of assists these last three games. One last positive is that we are getting healthy which is a good thing, especially on defense with Adam Johansson who looked pretty good last Saturday unlike his last three matches.


Negatives:

This was ridiculous. Poor marking from our center backs Jeff Parke and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado which may have cost them a place in the starting lineup. What has happened with Hurtado? This is not the same Jhon Kennedy Hurtado we saw in 2009 up to May 2010 before he suffered a torn ACL, great defender, communicating well with his teammates but that was then. Same with Jeff Parke, what the hell happened? Ever since may, Jeff Parke has sucked and watching him against Portland made me sick to my stomach because his set piece defending was awful, leaving David Horst wide open. Parke's contract with the Sounders is up after this season. I don't know about Hurtado's, but I know Parke's in the final year of his contract and the way he's played a long side Hurtado, he doesn't deserve to stick around any longer. At 30 years of age, this guy should be in his prime or at least close to it. When it came to the negatives in June, Parke and Hurtado were obviously a top that list.


Western Conference Standings:

1. San Jose Earthquakes, 11-4-3 (36 pts), GF 36 GA 24 GD 12
2. Real Salt Lake, 10-6-2 (32 pts), GF 28 GA 21 GD 7
3. Seattle Sounders FC, 7-5-5 (26 pts), GF 21 GA 18 GD 3
4. Vancouver Whitecaps, 7-4-5 (26 pts), GF 18 GA 19 GD -1
5. Colorado Rapids, 7-8-1 (22 pts), GF 24 GA 21 GD 3
6. Los Angeles Galaxy, 6-9-2 (20 pts), GF 25 GA 27 GD -2
7. Chivas USA, 5-7-4 (19 pts), GF 11 GA 18 GD -7
8. Portland Timbers, 5-7-4 (19 pts), GF 16 GA 21 GD -5
9. FC Dallas, 3-9-5 (14 pts), GF 16 GA 26 GD -10


Looking ahead to July + A few thoughts on the Summer transfer period:

So as we know, the summer transfer window for Major League Soccer opened last Wednesday and will remain open through July 27th and there's been a lot of talk these last couple weeks about the possibility of 1. FC Kaiserslautern midfielder Christian Tiffert coming to the Emerald City following a disappointing 2011-12 season in which his club was relegated from the German Bundesliga. The last report I found regarding Tiffert was that he has agreed to personal terms with the Sounders and that the club is currently negotiating transfer fee. So it looks like Tiffert is close to joining the Rave Green.

As for the Sounders. The CONCACAF Champions League is a month away. Looking at what we have this month, we have a couple of big road matches. Tomorrow at Real Salt Lake and one on the 15th against the New York Red Bulls. We also have two games this month against the Colorado Rapids and of course the U.S. Open Cup semifinal next Wednesday against Chivas USA.

Upcoming schedule

July 4 @ Real Salt Lake, 7:00pm (KING 5)
July 7 vs Colorado Rapids, 8:00pm (NBC Sports Network)
July 11 vs Chivas USA, 7:00pm (soundersfc.com)*
July 15 @ New York Red Bulls, 1:00pm (ESPN)
July 18 vs Chelsea FC, 6:30pm (TBD)^
July 28 @ Colorado Rapids, 6:00pm (KONG TV)

Note 1: * - U.S. Open Cup match
Note 2: ^ - Friendly match

By Money Mike


After winning their first two matches of the season the Seattle Sounders came into this match with alot of confidence, but sometimes confidence isn't good enough. The Sounders found themselves on the losing end, falling 1-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes. The Sounders hit the road next Saturday in the nations capital as they face D.C. United who are coming off their first win of the season, defeating FC Dallas 4-1. It was a poorly played game from both sides and the Sounders deserved no more than a point out of this, but a horrible PK decision midway through the first half made sure that didn't happen. Seattle will have to shake this one off and turn their attention to their match next Saturday at D.C.

Seattle did start of brightly in the early minutes. In the 10th minute after San Jose struggled to clear the ball out of danger, Osvaldo Alonso stepped and sent in a driven ball to the middle of the penalty area for Fredy Montero who just headed it over the top.

In the 17th minute, San Jose nearly caught the Sounders on the break. Chris Wondolowski found Steven Beitashour making a brilliant overlapping run from the back. Beitashour whipped in a short cross which bounced to the far post for Steven Lenhart who forced a save from Michael Gspurning who then pounced on the ball and held on to prevent Chris Wondolowski from putting home the rebound.

Now as I said on my preview, Alvaro Fernandez was fined for embellishment in last weeks match. The MLS Disciplinary Committee better fine Steven Lenhart as well for this crap in the 23rd minute. Marc Burch stuck his leg out and there was very little to no contact on the play. It was a clear dive by Lenhart but referee Mark Kadlecik decides to point to the penalty spot and award a PK to the Quakes. I hate making excuses here but that was a horrible call by the referee. I'm just getting sick and tired of the fact that referee's end up deciding the game.

Chris Wondolowski stepped up to take the PK for San Jose. Michael Gspurning has made some key penalty saves during his career. However, Wondo overpowered him and put it inside the right post for his fourth of the season and to give San Jose the lead in Seattle.

In the 35th minute, Zach Scott, who got the start again at right back for the injured Adam Johansson, sent in a cross into the six yard box where four Sounder players were waiting. The ball found the head of Alonso who headed it just wide of the near post.

The Sounders continued to push at the start of the second half. In the 51st minute, Osvaldo Alonso found David Estrada who turned, got away from Sam Cronin and had a go from about 25 yards away, but it didn't really test goalkeeper Jon Busch. Estrada who scored four goals in his first two matches was really quiet in the first half and trying to get it going in the second half.

Six minutes later, the Quakes nearly capitalized on a mistake. Servando Carrasco gave the ball away to Sam Cronin who stepped away from Patrick Ianni, but just missed wide as he looked to slot into the far corner.

In the 83rd minute, Fredy Montero and Sammy Ochoa liked up very well on this play and Montero looked to curl this one into the far corner but Jon Busch came up huge yet again. That was just about the last real opportunity for the Sounders as the breaks just weren't going their way like they were last match.


Scoring summary:

San Jose Earthquakes - Chris Wondolowski 4 (penalty kick) 24'


Misconduct summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Osvaldo Alonso (caution; foul) 6'

Seattle Sounders FC - Christian Sivebaek (caution; Persisten infringement) 47'+

San Jose Earthquakes - Rafael Baca (caution; foul) 64'

San Jose Earthquakes - Steven Lenhart (caution; Time wasting) 64'

Seattle Sounders FC - Zach Scott (caution; foul) 81'

San Jose Earthquakes - Alan Gordon (caution; foul) 83'


Lineups:

San Jose Earthquakes - Jon Busch; Steven Beitashour, Victor Bernardez, Justin Morrow, Ramiro Corrales (Jason Hernandez 46'); Marvin Chavez (Simon Dawkins 89'), Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca, Shea Salinas; Steven Lenhart (Alan Gordon 67'), Chris Wondolowski

Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Gspurning; Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Jeff Parke 46'), Marc Burch; Christian Sivebaek (Sammy Ochoa 62'), Osvaldo Alonso, Servando Carrasco (Alex Caskey 74'), Alvaro Fernandez; David Estrada, Fredy Montero

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders so far have taken maximum points in each of their first two matches this season. They will look to do the same here as they close out their three game homestand against the San Jose Earthquakes who are of course led by their go-to guy Chris Wondolowski. Last week, the Sounders defeated the Houston Dynamo by a score of 2-0, however after the match there was some Disciplinary action. Colin Clark was handed a three game suspension for verbally assulting one of the ball boys. Adam Moffat was handed a one game suspension for a dangerous tackle on Ozzie Alonso, which he gave him only a yellow card but the MLS Disciplinary committee thought it was red card offense and gave him a one match ban. Also, Alvaro Fernandez was fined an undisclosed amound of money for "embellishment of contact" in the 82nd minute of friday night's match.


Injury report:

San Jose Earthquakes - For the Quakes, Joey Gjertsen, who is a Tacoma native, is out after having sergery on his right knee. Tim Ward is suffering from a non-specific soft tissue injury and he is out. Sercan Guvenisik has a strained right hip flexor and is listed as doubtful. And finally, Marvin Chavez has a concussion and is listed as probable.

Seattle Sounders FC - For Seattle, of course we got a big list here. Of course Josh Ford, Andrew Duran and Steve Zakuani are out. Michael Tetteh is also out with a strained left hamstring. Babayele Sodade picked up a right knee injury while he was with Canada for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and he is out. Eddie Johnson, Mauro Rosales and Adam Johansson also will not play against San Jose. And finally, Brad Evans picked up an injury during training and is a game time decision for this match.


Key matchup:

Chris Wondolowski vs Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - I think this is a key matchup after what happened in the last regular season home match of 2011. You never want to leave this guy open because he'll hurt you in a split second. Hurtado needs to shut him down if the Sounders are to have any chance of going 3-0.

By Money Mike



A record crowd of over 62,000 will fill CenturyLink Field tomorrow as one of the greatest Goalkeepers in the game, Kasey Keller gets set to play in his final regular season home match of his career. A lot of folks have been chanting "ONE MORE YEAR!!" hoping that he will change his mind and return for the 2012 season. For them, and it hurts me to say this, they won't get their wish. And then people have been asking if he will be in net for the playoffs, and obviously, that's a dumb question. Keller will of course be in net for the playoffs. The Sounders on the other hand have two games remaining before the playoffs. Tomorrow, they take on the San Jose Earthquakes, who are already eliminated from playoff contention. These two teams met back on April 2 down at Buck Shaw Stadium in San Jose. Brad Evans and O'Brian White were the goalscorers for the Sounders, but the Earthquakes got two of their own from Simon Dawkins and Khari Stephenson and the match ended all square at 2-2. Right now, San Jose's big focus would be Chris Wondolowski getting his second straight Golden Boot, he'll be their go-to guy in this one.


Injury report:

San Jose Earthquakes - For the Earthquakes, Andre Luiz, who seriously needs to retire, has a left knee injury and he is out. Ike Opara has a left foot injury and is also out, and that's a key injury because this guy is a threat on set peices. Alan Gordon had season ending surgery, I don't know where though. Bobby Convey has inflammation on his right knee. Steven Lenhart is not injured, he has taken a family leave of absense for the rest of the season. Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Ramiro Corrales are both listed as doubtful. And Nana Attakora and Scott Sealy are both listed as questionable.

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Sounders, of course Steve Zakuani, Mike Seamon and Terry Boss are shut down for the season. Jeff Parke suffered a concussion last week against the Philadelphia Union and he has been ruled out for the home finale. O'Brian White still has not recovered from his second blood clot surgery and he may not be back this season. And finally, Mauro Rosales has been cleared for play this weekend after sitting out for a few weeks with an MCL sprain he suffered against D.C. United.


Looking back at Kasey Keller's 20-year career:

I tell you what, thing will never be the same without Kasey Keller. He made his U.S. national team debut in 1990 when he was still playing College Soccer at the University of Portland. With the national team, Keller picked up his 100th cap in the semifinals of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Canada because of the fact that Tim Howard was carrying a yellow card and would've been suspended for the final if he picked up another one in the semifinal. So they benched Howard and started Keller and the U.S. eventually won the match 2-1 after a last second equalizer by Atiba Hutchinson was ruled out for offside. The U.S. would go on and win the Gold Cup in 2007 defeating Mexico 2-1 in the final. Keller made 102 appearances overall for the United States from 1990-2007, and there's no doubt, he made some big plays for the national team, including in their second match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup against Italy when he made a world class save to deny Alessandro Del Piero a go ahead goal. He made 176 appearances for Milwall from 1992-96, 99 appearances for Leicester City from 1996-99 and also won a League Cup for them, 51 appearances for Rayo Vallencano from 1999-2001, 85 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur from 2001-2005, 4 appearances during his short loan stint with Southampton in 2004, 78 appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach from 2005-2007, 13 appearances for Fulham during the 2007-2008 English Premier League season and so far, 91 appearances for the Seattle Sounders since 2009.


A Tribute to the Captain: