The Seattle Sounders FC, coming off a road game draw to the Earthquakes, went into Saturday’s game with a 0-2-2 start to the 2011 season. With two first half goals from the neon green team, Seattle secured its first win of the season, pleasing a packed stadium of 36,223 fans.
Notable injuries included Sounder’s Fredy Montero, who is still recovering from a right wrist injury,and Chicago players Steven Kinney, Mike Banner, and Gabriel Ferrari.
With the dawning of spring, Seattle saw a clear, crisp, sunny day. Chicago’s club, coming off a bye week, entered the stadium undefeated, and left extinguished and with their first loss on the season. The win for Seattle continued their pattern of defeating Chicago in MLS regular season play. Olympia native Kasey Keller was deservedly awarded Man of the Match, with three standout saves, keeping the Fire off the board in the second half.
The match began with a high powered offense, led primarily by Steve Zakuani, Erik Friberg, and Mauro Rosales, and this energy continued throughout the game. A few aerial lofts into Chicago’s goal box by Seattle’s midfield saw several opportunities in the first five minutes, however, Chicago’s defense held strong. The crowd erupted in the sixth minute when a gorgeous outside cross from Rosales met the head of O’Brian White, who redirected the pass into the the back of the net. Two minutes later, Chicago’s Gaston Puerari retaliated when he broke past Seattle’s defense for an easy pass across the front of the goal where Diego Chaves was waiting for the tap in.
Then, the perpetual flopping, acting, and attempted foul drawing from Chicago’s players began. This style of play persisted for the next sixty minutes, much to the dismay of the crowd.
In the twenty fifth minute, Zakuani broke down the sideline past multiple defenders with beautiful footwork and control, leading to a solid strike past goalie Sean Johnson to the near post. Credit the assist to O’Brian White. The score would stand at 2-1 for the next sixty five minutes despite several opportunities from both teams.
Defensively, the Sounders were smart and gave the Fire little opportunities at goal. James Riley was issued a yellow card following an intelligent foul to stop a Chicago breakaway in the first half. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado held strong with a spectacular steal in a crucial 1 v 1 situation. At the start of the second half, Chicago’s Mike Videira fired a shot into the face of Jeff Parke. Parke was seen by the field medical staff and given some much needed recovery time, yet he remained on the entirety of the match.
The Seattle Sounders lead the MLS in shots taken, shots on target, corners, offsides, and fouls; this event was no different, with Seattle committing a number of fouls while simultaneously sending an army of shots at Chicago’s keeper. The Sounders should be ecstatic about their first win, but there is still room for improvement. Zakuani and Osvaldo Alonso had several close calls, missing the target by less than a yard on multiple opportunities. Alonso had a couple of deadly shots, one from twenty five yards out which was deflected by GK Sean Johnson, and the another in the final minute of stoppage time, narrowly missing the top left corner of the goal. Zakuani and Servando Carrasco each had promising strikes, both shots just missing an inviting far post.
Although only one goal was scored, the Chicago Fire repeatedly tested the Seattle defense. Thanks to Kacey Keller’s miraculous diving and punching, the efforts of the Fire offense were doused. Chicago was awarded a free kick in the fifty eighth minute after another obvious flop; the kick bounced through the wall of Sounders, meeting the foot of a Chicago striker. The forceful shot ricocheted off the fingertips of a diving Keller who redirected the shot out of bounds. Less than ten minutes later, a threatening through ball bounced at the top of the Sounders’ 18 yard box where an aware Keller punched the ball to safety. This save prompted the crowd to chant “KELLER” in their excitement and support. Shortly thereafter, Keller made another diving save, preventing a rocket corner shot. Keller continued to inspire his team and audiences alike, shutting down Chicago’s corner kicks in the second half.
The game against Chicago Fire marked the 35th anniversary of the first Kingdome event, a momentous event in making Seattle a hub for soccer. April 9th, 1976 marked a match between the NASL Sounders and the New York Cosmos in which Pele led New York to a 3-1 victory. The Sounders next two matches take them to the City of Brotherly Love, where the Union will host them, and then to Colorado to face the deadly Rapids. These two teams remain some of the best in the MLS, so today’s victory will hopefully provide some momentum into the coming battles.
Sounders FC Starting XI: GK Kasey Keller, DEF James Riley, DEF Jeff Parke, DEF Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, DEF Leo Gonzalez, MID Brad Evans, MID Osvaldo Alonso, MID Mauro Rosales, FWD Erik Friberg, FWD O’Brian White, FWD Steve Zakuani
Chicago Fire Starting XI: GK Sean Johnson, DEF Jalil Anibaba, DEF Dasan Robinson, DEF Cory Gibbs, DEF Gonzalo Segares, MID Logan Pause, MID Marco Pappa, MID Mike Videira, FWD Patrick Nyarko, FWD Diego Chaves, FWD Gaston Puerari
