Tonight’s game is a clash of the titans. As I said on KUOW this morning, I think Houston is second strongest team in the league only to Columbus.
Two MLS Cups, three US Nat starters (Ching, Holden, Clarke), and a bucketful of silly stats, like “seven active players who have started at least 10 play-off games”
But success comes with a price: With a CONCACAF Champions League last week, this will be their third game in eight days. And they’re playing in cold, rainy Seattle at an expanded Qwest Field now holding 36,000 fans.
Early in the season, I wrote that “Our goal is to learn from our mistakes now and continue to improve for the games that matter.”
A weak left D, massive defensive breakdowns and own goals haunted us the first half of the season. Leo Gonzalez has sewn that wound up.
A 15-week at-home scoreless span (and the consequential non-wins) was broken on Saturday.
All the buzz agrees: This ain’t your father’s inaugural-season team.
Drew Carey is in town too, so if you can make it head to fuel on 2nd and Washington for some drinks. Usually Drew will just announce it an open bar and pay for all drinks while he is there.
I’d put Galaxy as the scariest team in the league ahead of Columbus. Chivas is the team we’ve had the biggest problem with so if we’re able to make it out of this round the Sounder’s have a tough road ahead. You are right about a great clash of the titans – Freddy M needs to step up tonight and we’ve got to protect Freddie L, ’cause they’re going to be going after him. Expect a few yellows.
Who will be more affected by the crappy weather? Seems to me that the sides are fairly well matched, and the outcome may hinge on a fluke.
Of course, “outcome” isn’t really the right word, since tonight is in essence the first two quarters of a four-quarter, 180-minute, two-city match.
I’ll be there, Sounders FC scarf in hand…
Thanks #1, you know how to get my attention!
So I suppose both teams were playing not to lose last night? Now Sounders FC gets to go to Houston in a week and try to flip an upset on the road.
Great game environment; the fans support at QWEST projected well on the TV broadcast. The game had it’s moments too. But failure to connect on clearances (the Sounders sure played a lot of kickball out there) and failure to finish on three or four good chances (for each team) make for an even more nervous test at Houston on the second leg.
And what the hell is wrong with James Riley? Headless play and falling asleep with Ching on the ball nearly cost the Sounders at least twice.
Drew Carey is in town too, so if you can make it head to fuel on 2nd and Washington for some drinks. Usually Drew will just announce it an open bar and pay for all drinks while he is there.