Super Bowl Update

By Money Mike



The Seattle Sounders earlier today have signed their first player this offseason. The Sounders acquired Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning who, in case you guys didn't know, actually visited Seattle during the summer. Gspurning spent four days here in Seattle last summer, checking out the city as a possible destination after his contract with Greek club Skoda Xanthi was due to expire on December 31. Gspurning also attended Seattle's Champions League preliminary round match against San Francisco FC. After his four day visit in the Emerald City and the fact that he lost his starting job at Skoda Xanthi, Gspurning felt like he had to sign with Seattle. The 30-year old goalkeeper will officially join the club in January on a multi-year deal following the end of his contract with Skoda and an International Transfer Clearance.

Gspurning began his career in Austria Wein's youth system before being promoted to the senior side in 2000, however he never made an appearance for them. He moved to DSV Leoben in 2001 and spent three seasons there. He made 62 appearances during his say with Leoben before moving to ASKO Pasching where he spent two seasons as a backup making only seven league appearances for them as well as a few UEFA Cup appearances. Gspurning left Pasching in 2007 to join Skoda Xanthi in Greece. In his four seasons, before losing his starting job, Gspurning made 89 appearances and currently holds the Greek SuperLeague record for the longest road shutout streak at eight. Gspurning so far has capped three times for the Austrian national team.


Thoughts on this move:

Good move. With Kasey Keller and Terry Boss retiring and the fact that Josh Ford and Bryan Meredith were rookies and aren't quite ready to become a starter at this level, the best option was to sign Gspurning who is a solid goalkeeper and a good penalty-stopper. And again, Gspurning thought it was the best option for him to sign with the Sounders after his four day visit last summer. Good move by the Sounders front office, who have done a great job bringing in new players and making this team stronger and more competitive.

By Money Mike


Well it's always difficult when you hear that an athlete has to put an end to his career due to injuries, but stuff like this happens. Sounders goalkeeper Terry Boss has been forced to retire due to multiple concussions he suffered here in Seattle and with the Puerto Rican national team. Over his three years here with the Seattle Sounders, I gotta say this year was the year he impressed me the most. Getting W's in the U.S. Open Cup against the Kitsap Pumas and the Los Angeles Galaxy and two very big wins in the CONCACAF Champions League against Comunicaciones and Monterrey.


A look back at Terry Boss's career:

When you take a look at his career, you can see that he hasn't done much, he hasn't played many league matches. During his collegiate offseason, he played 9 matches for the Cascade Surge, 2 with the Vermont Voltage and 2 with the Fort Wayne Fever in the USL Premier Development League where college players can go play during their offseason. He began his professional career in 2005 with the Charlotte Eagles where he again made only 2 appearances. He then spent the next two seasons with the Puerto Rico Islanders, but yet again, he made only two appearances, however his stay with the Islanders helped him qualify for the Puerto Rican national team. He returned to Charlotte for two more seasons and made 20 appearances with them from 2008-2009 and was named USL2 goalkeeper of the year. After failing to make an appearance for the New York Red Bulls, Boss joined the Seattle Sounders halfway through the 2009 season. He made his first and only MLS appearance for the Sounders on April 22, 2010 against FC Dallas, coming on as a substitute for Kasey Keller. He capped 7 times for the Puerto Rican national team from 2008-2011. His last cap was where he suffered that season ending concussion which now turned out to be career ending.

This is what Terry Boss said on Facebook following his trip to the doctors:

After repeat concussions, and many appointments with concussion specialist, the doctors have told me that I have to retire. Although its sad news, it's difficult not to also feel very blessed. By Gods grace I have been fortunate to play the sport I love for a living for the last eight years. Ive met so many great people along the way, and i get to end my career with one of the best organizations in the world and the best fans anywhere. A big thank you to everybody who made my time in Seattle so special and to everybody else who helped me along the way!

By Money Mike



The Seattle Sounders could be facing a little GK crisis going into Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake. Sounders backup goalkeeper Terry Boss returned to Seattle early after suffering a concussion while playing for the Puerto Rican national team in their 0-0 draw against Saint Kitts and Nevis. Despite the injury, Boss was able to go a full 90' minutes in the match. He arrived in Seattle last night, was in street clothes during today's practice just to watch and will be evaluated by the doctors.

Boss will definetely be out for Saturdays match against Salt Lake as a side of caution, but a history of related issues could force him out for a long time. This is the second concussion Terry Boss has suffered this season, the first one he suffered came in a friendly match against Manchester United (and I'm sure everybody is done whining about that game). With the roster deadline just 9 days away for Major League Soccer, that will lead to a decision soon for head coach Sigi Schmid should Terry Boss be ruled out for the rest of the year.

Josh Ford will be the backup goalkeeper behind Kasey Keller for the time being and this is nothing new for the rookie, considering he was the backup behind him in both the Champions League preliminary matches against San Francisco F.C., and in league play against the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City. He has yet to make his professional debut for the Seattle Sounders, but there's a pretty good chance that'll come soon with what we currently have going on, but right now it's too early to look ahead.

By Money Mike









The Seattle Sounders became the second MLS team to beat a Mexican team on Mexican soil in over a week. The Sounders upset defending CONCACAF Champions, Monterrey 1-0 to move into first place in the Group Stage. There were a couple of nervous moments in the second half when Monterrey came right at them, but the Sounders were able to hang on and get the full 3 points. People need to start taking this tournament seriously, especially with the Sounders off to a 2-0 start in Group play. I mean, winning the Champions League is as big as winning the MLS Cup. Even out of all of that, America is just too freakin stupid to understand that. If this wasn't a big win, I don't know what the hell is. Sigi Schmid left Kasey Keller, Mauro Rosales and Fredy Montero out of the 18 man squad and partnered Nate Jaqua up front with Pat Noonan. Terry Boss, as expected, got the start in goal. Josh Ford was on the squad as a backup goalkeeper behind Boss. And also, Amadou Sanyang made his Sounders debut, coming on in the 84th minute of the match.



The Sounders ceded most of the possession early opted to play counter attacking football and in the 38th minute, Seattle was on the move as Pat Noonan fed Alvaro Fernandez with a pinpoint ball. Flacco split defenders Darvin Chavez and Miguel Morales and calmly roofed the ball past Goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.



In the second half, Monterrey came out strong. In the 66th minute, the Sounders dodged a huge bullet. Terry Boss lost the ball to Aldo de Nigris as he was trying to clear it. He then nearly took him down which would've resulted in a penalty and possibly a straight red card. de Nigris laid the ball back to Humberto Suazo who ripped the ball wide of goal. That would've been a disastrous moment for Terry Boss and the Seattle Sounders. Despite Monterrey finishing with 11 shots on goal, it was Seattle who came away with a full three points over the CONCACAF Champions.



The Sounders return home to Seattle as they get set to host the Columbus Crew on Saturday at CenturyLink Field. Then they host FC Dallas in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup next Tuesday at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.





Scoring summary:



Seattle Sounders FC - Alvaro Fernandez (Pat Noonan) 38'





Misconduct summary:



Seattle Sounders FC - Nate Jaqua (caution; Reckless tackle) 48'





Lineups:



Seattle Sounders FC - Terry Boss; James Riley, Zach Scott, Jeff Parke, Tyson Wahl; Roger Levesque (Amadou Sanyang 84'), Brad Evans, Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez (Leonardo Gonzalez 76'); Nate Jaqua (Osvaldo Alonso 65'), Pat Noonan



Monterrey - Jonathan Orozco; Darvin Chavez, Hiram Mier, Severo Meza (Ricardo Osorio 83'); Jesus Manuel Corona (Abraham Carreno 73'), Neri Cardozo, Luis Ernesto Perez, Hector Morales (Walter Ayovi 62'); Aldo de Nigris, Jesus Eduardo Zavala, Humberto Suazo





Now here's a look at the highlights:

By Money Mike







In the Champions League Group stage opener at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders gave up an early goal, but bounced back with four unanswered goals to beat Comunicaciones 4-1. Michael Fucito scored two goals and assisted on another. The Sounders didn't seem to lose any focus, even after going down a man when Lamar Neagle was shown a Red Card. You could tell by this teams performance last night, they could play anybody in this region.



In the second minute, Comunicaciones got on the board early. Brayan Ordonez tracked a long ball in the corner, sending in a hopeful cross. When Sounders goalkeeper Terry Boss was unable to cut down the service, Jairo Arreola beat defender James Riley to the far post for an early lead.



In the 35th minute, Seattle answered. Mike Fucito's corner found Brad Evans from point blank range, and Evans headed the ball off the crossbar and over the goal line for the equalizer.



In the 61st minute, Fucito would this time find the back of the net. Fucito ran onto a pass from Fredy Montero, cut the ball inside the penalty area and finished with his left foot to give the Sounders a 2-1 advantage. He wasn't done though. Six minutes later, he would tack on another one. After making another good run on the ball, this time from Alvaro Fernandez, Fucito took one touch the curled the ball around the goalkeeper and in for his second of the match. Seattle would tack on one more on an own goal and maximum points in the first match.





Scoring summary:



Comunicaciones - Jairo Arreola (Bryan Ordonez) 2'



Seattle Sounders FC - Brad Evans (Michael Fucito) 35'



Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Fucito (Fredy Montero, Alvaro Fernandez) 61'



Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Fucito (Alvaro Fernandez, Brad Evans) 67'



Seattle Sounders FC - Own Goal (Alvaro Fernandez) 87'





Misconduct summary:



Comunicaciones - Jairo Arreloa (caution; Dissent) 9'



Seattle Sounders FC - Patrick Ianni (caution; Tactical foul) 16'



Seattle Sounders FC - James Riley (caution; Reckless tackle) 47'+



Comunicaciones - Carlos Castrillo (caution; Reckless tackle) 50'



Seattle Sounders FC - Leonardo Gonzalez (caution; Tactical foul) 54'



Seattle Sounders FC - Lamar Neagle (ejection; Violent conduct) 55'



Comunicaciones - Adolfo Machado (caution; Reckless tackle) 60'



Comunicaciones - Carlos Ramirez (caution; Unsporting behavior) 69'



Seattle Sounders FC - Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (caution; Unsporting behavior) 69'



Comunicaciones - Edgard Martinez (ejection; Abusive Language) 80'



Comunicaciones - Fredy Thompson (caution; Reckless tackle) 91'+





Lineups:



Comunicaciones - Juan Jose Peredas; Adolfo Machado, Edgard Martinez, Carlos Castrillo, Erwin Morales; Carlos Ramirez, Juan Marquez (Rigoberto Gomez 77'), Fredy Thompson, Jairo Arreloa, Bryan Ordonez (Carlos Mejia 70'); Transito Montepeque (Hernan Sandoval 78')



Seattle Sounders FC - Terry Boss; James Riley, Patrick Ianni (Roger Levesque 84'), Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leonardo Gonzalez (Zach Scott 75'); Lamar Neagle, Servando Carrasco, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez; Fredy Montero (Mauro Rosales 63'), Michael Fucito

By Money Mike

In the 25th minute, Jaqua was involved in the 2nd Sounders goal. I don't what the hell this guy was thinking. Defender A.J. DeLaGarza gave the ball right to Jaqua who quickly fed it to Fredy Montero who cut the ball to his left foot and put away his third goal in two matches to double Seattle's lead at 2-0. The Sounders could've been up 4-0 or 5-0 up to that point, but they just couldn't capitalize on their chances, most of them coming from Jaqua and in the 40th minute, LA pulled one back. Adam Cristman finished a cross from Chris Birchall at the front of the net.