Disruptors & Distractors

30 05 2010
Round 11 vs Colorado Rapids
Like San Jose, Colorado is another of the original MLS teams. Twice appearing i
n the MLS Cup final but coming up short both times. They also sport a US Open C
up in their trophy case, but it’s a bit dustier than the Sounders, as it came in
1999. Two interesting historical points link the Sounders and Rapids. The fir
st is a personal side note, and US Mens National Team back up Goaltender, Marcus
Hahnemann. Hahnemann helped the A-League Sounders to back-to-back titles in ’9
5 and ’96. Directly after their second championship in ’96 against the Rocheste
r Rhinos, I met Hahnemann. Actually it was more like the Mean Joe Greene, Coca-
Cola add from the ’80′s. He threw me his sweaty water bottle. Yes, I did take
a swig, and kept it as a proud souvenir. The second connection is Sounders curr
ent Technical Director, Chris Henderson who is still the Rapids all time assists
leader with 53.
The Rapids are a team of two faces. Always as good as any team in the league, b
ut not always in form. Sounds a little familiar. The bad face, is their two ma
in goal producers, Conor Casey, and Omar Cummings, who can light up the score bo
ard with the best, but have not been in top production form. Meaning they could
be due for a break-out game. The good face, is a brilliant face. Conor Casey
was left off the US Mens National Team World Cup squad, barely. Some say he sho
uld be there. He was the 2nd leading scorer in MLS last year and has struggled
this year. Showing how quickly a player goes from being in form to out of form.
Edson Buddle, for LA Galaxy is amazingly in form this year, so he’s on the pla
ne to South Africa while Casey stays home. Is that fair? To be continued . . .
My World Cup posts are coming soon.
Now back to the main event. Those two, Casey and Cummings have not been in form
but both are strong, quick and able to score in multiple ways all around the at
tacking end. They are backed up in midfield by US World Cup 2006 standout Pablo
Mastreoni. Their defense is also strengthened by another US standout, Marvel W
ynne, who played well for the US in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Rapids have
the skill and intensity to be a MLS Cup contender, but they have not yet found t
hat playoff bound groove.
Seattle comes to the Rapids home pitch in Commerce City, Colorado at Dick’s Spor
ting Goods Park. They bring baggage of similar sounding issues to Colorado. Di
fficult time finishing up front, great potential, but struggling to find their f
orm. So the game presents a perfect test for one team to rise above the other a
nd attempt to gain mid-season momentum. Seattle’s electric defeat of the Boca J
uniors 3-0 in their mid-week friendly, hopefully sparked the team into preparati
on for Colorado’s physical toughness.
What the Sounders need to do is play with intensity from the start. Rather than
sit back as they did against San Jose. Push the ball wide, create passing lane
s in the Rapids defense, and get their chances on net. Make the Rapids Keeper h
ave to work. If we keep him busy, good things will happen. If we let the Rapid
s dictate the pace and possess the ball, it could be another frustrating night f
or Sounders FC. This is not a “must win” game, but it is a “should not lose” ga
me. A draw tonight would be well received.
One player on the Sounders who could step up tonight to help the Sounders cause
is Fredy Montero. He may not be a pure goal “finisher” as some have stated abou
t him. His new role could be possibly more beneficial. During the Boca Juniors
match, he did not score, but he was a disruptor. Tonight in the game against t
he Rapids his disruptor role could change the game. It would force defenders to
play him more tightly, but leave more Sounders unmarked. It would also leave t
he Rapids defense unsure where Seattle’s attack will come from. That could also
 help give the little extra moment for Zakuani, or Ljungberg to come in on goal
or set up an assist. Montero’s disruptor role could become defined for him toni
ght. No pressure for him to finish, just put pressure on the other team all nig
ht long.
Post Match
“I don’t think we’ve walked off the field being an outplayed team. We’ve got to
keep working and keep our belief in ourselves, and the team spirit has to remai
n there”.
Sigi Schmid, after round 11”s 1-nil loss to the Colorado Rapids.
LA Galaxy being the exception. The Sounders have played on the pitch as eloquen
tly as Sigi speaks after a tough loss. Falling to 3-5-3 is not how anyone saw t
his team. It is a deep hole. The Sounders are responsible for digging that hol
e. Goals are all that could fill the empty void players, coaches and fans are f
eeling. Because the on-field play is good enough to deserve a better record. S
igi is right. If the players keep their belief up, the way they are playing wil
l earn better results.
Two players on their way to Sounders FC may help gain those results. One is com
ing back from injury. The other is new to join Sounders FC. Nate Jaqua will re
join Sounders FC in a week or two after recovering from a pre-season injury. He
provides a tall target up front. A focus up top that will free Montero from hi
s current do everything role.
After the World Cup, Blaise Nkufo, the Swiss National Team striker joins Sounder
s FC from his former club FC Twente. Blaise Nkufo, /Blaze Koo-foe/ has banked
114 goals for FC Twente, which brings a lot of hope to Sounders FC’s late season
form. No one man on his own can win a title. But he can provide a spark of ho
pe and distraction from frustration. Nkufo brings experience, and an excited sp
irit to the team. He will be fresh from South Africa. Every player asking him
the same questions as press, “what was it like?” To the delight of all involved
he will offer a distraction to all the usual questions about a disappointing se
ason. He will be covered in microphones, while the rest of the team prepares.
That is just what this team needs. Distraction from disappointment and consiste
nt work on game preparation. That will keep the team spirit up and allow for go
od results to come. Blaise will likely give the same on field distraction as he
does off field. Defenders will swarm Nkufo, like press junkies, leaving Monter
o marked by one defender instead of 2 or 3. Ljungberg will have a tall target t
o provide him more ground and air options.
There are no guarantees in sports. There is hard work, which allows the selfish
belief in hope for great results. In that type of sweat and hungry spirit ther
e often lives a spark that makes those great results come true. Sports is about
watching the impossible become real. Soccer is the essence of that truth. Thi
s young team knows how to win. They play like a winner. Following the advice o
f their coach and incorporating two difference makers gives credibility to Sigi’
s post-match comments. All the elements exist for this team to find itself on a
championship course. If the players continue to work hard and believe the resu
lts will come.