The Seattle Sounders FC, after missing an early penalty shot, were unable to score on the defensively strong Chivas USA. Seattle is currently in third place for the Western Conference with a record of 11-5-9. There were plenty more chances, but as happens all too often, the Seattle attack was unable to find the net. Kudos to Chivas’ goalie, Luis Michel, had a handful of amazing saves and dives, earning a shutout against Seattle. Similarly, Kasey Keller was busy punching shots and disrupting crosses, and his hard work also earned a shutout in the August 13th match at CenturyLink Field.
In the 18th minute Chivas defender Michael Umana committed a handball in the goal box. Alvaro Fernandez elected to take the penalty. His shot curved to the left post, bounced off the post, then off of Michel, then out for a corner. Seattle, a team which has always struggled at penalties, would regret the missed opportunity for the full ninety.
Thirty-four minutes in, Osvaldo Alonso danced and forced his way into the box and found Fredy Montero next to the net. His lofted cross was directly to Montero, but the goalie met him midair. Montero won the aerial possession game and tapped the ball into the net. However, Montero’s shouldering and his established ground were seen differently by the referee, who awarded a free kick to Michel.
In the 76th Chivas defender Blair Gavin found himself trapped in his own corner. Like many strategic players in this situation, he tried to use his body to shield the ball, and as soon as any sort of pressure was put on him from Seattle, he fell over onto the ball earning a free kick. This is run of the mill, panicked defender tactics. I do not understand how referees are not keen to pick up on this cheap way to earn a possession. Fouls need to be called and the rules of the game followed, but referees need to start using their eyes, and common sense, when issuing free kicks and fouls.
The two teams continued to put pressure on each other and cherished every possession. Both the Sounders and the Chivas volleyed shots and tested the opposing goalie for the remainder of the second half. Seattle, unofficially, had nearly three times as many fouls as the Chivas USA in the second half. In the final minutes of play, Lamar Neagle had possession in the Chivas’ goal box. He attempted to find open space for a cross and went to the ground following a blatant foul from David Lopes. At first it appeared Kevin Scott called the penalty, but then he awarded the goal kick for Chivas. Erik Friberg, in his angst, was awarded a yellow card. The crowd (me included) booed for several minutes. After watching the replay, the whole situation is almost comical. The refs are the captain and the decision makers, so there is some validity and respect to their rulings. Captain Scott successfully crashed his ship into shallow rocks due to a horrible miscall.
Chivas USA Starting XI – Dan Kennedy, Zarek Valentin, Michael Umana, Heath Pearce, Ante Jazic, Blair Gavin, Simon Elliott, Nick LaBrocca, Jorge Flores, Marcos Mondaini, Alejandro Moreno
Seattle Sounders Starting XI – Kasey Keller, James Riley, Jeff Parke, Zach Scott, Tyson Wahl, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Alvaro Fernandez, Pat Noonan, Fredy Montero
