Seattle Sounders FC kicked off their fifth season opener against the Montreal Impact. Historically, Seattle has struggled against the Canadian based club; the Sounders lost 4-1 in their last MLS meeting. This season was no exception as the Sounders labored to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Impact.
Led by last year’s leading scorer Eddie Johnson (14), Seattle entered this season after a disappointing playoff performance to end the previous season. Fredy Montero is on a loan for the season, so a key offensive figure will be sorely missed. With Mauro Rosales aging quickly, as was obvious in Saturday’s match, other players will have to step up to the pitch as the season progresses.
The game began with the two sides exchanging chances and possession. Neither side stood out for the first half an hour of play. Seattle had a plethora of first half corners, but were unable to produce any goals. Impact striker Marco Di Vaio looked hungry for goals early on, but could not manage to stay onside long enough to have an effect. Rosales and Johnson linked up several times in the first half, but Johnson’s shots on goal were either directly at keeper Troy Perkins or wide of the goal.
The first and only goal of the match came from Davy Arnaud. Faster than the Sounders could position themselves, Felipe chipped a through pass to Arnaud, who sent the ball soaring over Michael Gspurning and into the back of the net in the 35th minute.
The first half saw a few more on target shots from both sides, but the defense and goalkeeping did not falter. Seattle led in possession, tackles, and shots on target in the first half. If only they could manage to produce points from these.
The second half played out in much the same manner. Montreal began with a player down for the first few minutes as Di Vaio did not return to the pitch immediately following the kick off. Several minutes into the half he returned to the field. His absence was primarily unnoticed.
For the Sounders, the second half proved disappointing to say the least. A circus of events occurred in the box as the Impact almost sealed the win twice before it was cleared to safety. Shortly thereafter, Andy Rose left the field with a confirmed left elbow contusion. He is expected to recover quickly. Seattle almost tied it up in the final third of the game. Brad Evans recovered the ball outside the Impact’s goal box and struck a beauty which slid through the defense only to hit the post, then Perkins, and then bounced away to safety. Again, in the 81st minute, a fantastic cross from Alex Caskey landed at the feet of an open Johnson. He stuck quickly and with purpose, but merely hit the crossbar; another missed chance for Seattle.
The final minutes of the match were frustrating for the Sounders and their fans. The Impact players began to flop and become injured, wasting at least ten minutes of regulation time. The crowd responded by hurling items onto the field and booing at the injured players. Seattle had one final attempt as a great cross from DeAndre Yedlin found Rosales. Rosales tried a sideways aerial kick with little success.
To say that the 38,998 fans in attendance were disappointed would be an understatement. But this is a young season and the Sounders are sure to find success and soon.
Subside Sports Man of the Match: D DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle
Yedlin had a stellar match, and I would award him the Man of the Match. His keen awareness, speed, and great ball movement for such a young player will undoubtedly progress as the season continues. He is a Washington native and spent his collegiate career with The University of Akron. He was the team’s first Homegrown Player, having been signed on January 11th after two All-MAC First Team selections as a Zip. His start on Saturday marks the youngest player to start in the club’s history.
