KP has said what's on all our minds so I will not rehash his statements. I admit I forgot the Sounders were playing on Sunday and didn't catch the first 30 minutes, or several of the second half. I did, however, see all four goals. And that was plenty.
I've said my peace already, but in case Sigi is listening, try this:
Nkufo -- Baby Giraffe
Zak -- FL10 -- Seamon -- Estrada
Wahl -- Ianni -- Scott -- Riley
Boss
Substitutes: 60 min -- Montano for Baby Giraffe, 65 min -- Nyassi for FL10, 70 min -- The Stache for Nkufo.
That's my game plan and I'm sticking to it. Not like we could lose harder, could we?
Prediction league standings (none of us got the loss to Philly right):
Troy: 17
Jonathon: 15
KP: 14
Bocasounders: 6
Jason: 2
I weep for this season.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Here's to hoping for better
With all the world cup watching I have been doing, going back to watching MLS quality was a little hard. I kept hoping for some quality runs, through balls, possession, anything...instead we got an almost lifeless effort by the boys wearing rave green. There was no real hustle, heart, or creativity put into the game in my opinion.
The boys should have been ready to go after a few weeks off. It looked like they might have spent the time at a pool side bar. I find it hard to point out a player I feel gave it their full 90, Kasey played well but seemed a bit off at times. The back line was shredded (did they take lessons from the National team...cue the boos). I don;t think we had a midfield out there, and the front line was disorganized (how do you kick a PK to the goalie...now I know). Why did we not protect Le Toux? He played harder than any two of our players combined...man I love that effort.
Here's to hoping for better things the rest of this season. How fast can we get Alonso back? When is Blaise getting here?
Of note, most of the teams I wanted to win this weekend lost; USA, Mexico (cause like to see the boys from the continent win), Sounders, and my team. That might be fueling a little of my displeasure this morning.
The boys should have been ready to go after a few weeks off. It looked like they might have spent the time at a pool side bar. I find it hard to point out a player I feel gave it their full 90, Kasey played well but seemed a bit off at times. The back line was shredded (did they take lessons from the National team...cue the boos). I don;t think we had a midfield out there, and the front line was disorganized (how do you kick a PK to the goalie...now I know). Why did we not protect Le Toux? He played harder than any two of our players combined...man I love that effort.
Here's to hoping for better things the rest of this season. How fast can we get Alonso back? When is Blaise getting here?
Of note, most of the teams I wanted to win this weekend lost; USA, Mexico (cause like to see the boys from the continent win), Sounders, and my team. That might be fueling a little of my displeasure this morning.
Friday, June 11, 2010
When is two goals, too little, too late? Last night, apparently.
Oh, the misery. Oh, the embarrassment. Oh, the change in my prediction.
Can the Sounders truly expect ANY opponent, at this point, to play any way OTHER than bunker down and watch Seattle struggle?
Is Keller looking to take himself out of contention for protection in the Expansion Draft?
Will someone please explain the rationale behind taking off not only Zakuani but also Ianni in like for like swaps? Were we not two goals down, facing a nine man shell around the goal? Why were all of our defenders STILL on when the game concluded?
If someone can offer valid answers, I'd be much obliged.
Troy: 16
Jonathon 15
KP: 13
Bocasounders: 6
Jason: 2
Dammit.
p.s. Troy, when the Sounders can't beat the dredge of the league, it must be your sons (or Rich) that should be kept home in the future.
Can the Sounders truly expect ANY opponent, at this point, to play any way OTHER than bunker down and watch Seattle struggle?
Is Keller looking to take himself out of contention for protection in the Expansion Draft?
Will someone please explain the rationale behind taking off not only Zakuani but also Ianni in like for like swaps? Were we not two goals down, facing a nine man shell around the goal? Why were all of our defenders STILL on when the game concluded?
If someone can offer valid answers, I'd be much obliged.
Troy: 16
Jonathon 15
KP: 13
Bocasounders: 6
Jason: 2
Dammit.
p.s. Troy, when the Sounders can't beat the dredge of the league, it must be your sons (or Rich) that should be kept home in the future.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Give a poor man a break.
Fine then. Apparently my taunting of the Sounders finally worked and they managed to find the net (Montero proving my point by putting the ball under the keeper instead of trying to be cute by hitting the corners).
Seeing as I again declared my thought of a loss tonight against DC on the podcast, I am hereby changing my prediction to reflect my belief that the boys won't ugly it up quite as terribly as I'd originally imagined.
I am now stating that the Sounders shall get all three points from the match, however, they will give up a goal to the pesky DC kid (still). But Zak will score as well as Llungberg, for a 2-1 final.
Results--
Troy: 15
Jonathon: 15
KP: 12
Bocasounders: 6
Jason: 2
And where are the rest of the predictions people? Do you really want either Troy or myself to win this thing? Imagine the endless gloating.
Seeing as I again declared my thought of a loss tonight against DC on the podcast, I am hereby changing my prediction to reflect my belief that the boys won't ugly it up quite as terribly as I'd originally imagined.
I am now stating that the Sounders shall get all three points from the match, however, they will give up a goal to the pesky DC kid (still). But Zak will score as well as Llungberg, for a 2-1 final.
Results--
Troy: 15
Jonathon: 15
KP: 12
Bocasounders: 6
Jason: 2
And where are the rest of the predictions people? Do you really want either Troy or myself to win this thing? Imagine the endless gloating.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sounders win - World Cup info
First, that was a fun game. The boys looked good, not sure if it was the fact the Revs are not a top tier team or we just decided to play better and harder. Either way it's 3 points. If you look at my comments in the The sayer of neigh! posting you'll see I pointed out a few things we needed to improve on. Well, most were done. The Parke thing, well he played much better so that helps there. He still has a way to go in my book to get the start over Ianni once Ozzy comes back but we'll see. Should pick up 3 more points on Thur and be right back in the pack hunting for the playoffs.
I am wondering if I should use the haircut again, I already got one from Boca result but come on, free stuff. Wish the boys could get 3 goals once a month.
I have always been time zone challenged so I found a listing of the world cup games posted in Pacific time. So here it is for all
So let's go SOUNDERS and lets go USA...
I am wondering if I should use the haircut again, I already got one from Boca result but come on, free stuff. Wish the boys could get 3 goals once a month.
I have always been time zone challenged so I found a listing of the world cup games posted in Pacific time. So here it is for all
So let's go SOUNDERS and lets go USA...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Sayer of Yea!
What a perfect evening. I saw a police chase on the way to The T. Broke out the new CHiPs shirt which was widely praised for its obvious, but well-thought tribute to David/Erik Estrada. Oh, and the Sounders won a game.
Not just a win though, a three-nothing shellacking that left poor Bobby Shuttleworth shell-shocked. Leo Gonzalez opened the scoring just five minutes in with a sweet left footed blast past the baby-faced keeper. It proved to be the game-winner and set off an emotional outpouring from the home faithful. Just that quickly a months-long funk turned into a euphoric celebration. Amidst the dancing, hugs and high-fives was a stadium-wide sigh of relief. One akin to a family's emotional upturn at the news of a loved-one's unexpected recovery.
The buzzards, or at least the bloggers, had been circling over the Sounders ready to pronounce them dead. Freddie Ljungberg was a particular target, some suggesting he be benched others ready to sell him to the first bidder. No more. He played like he cared, and what a difference. He made a number of fantastic runs, in at least one case catching the speedy Steve Zakuani to put himself in position to take a cross. Such effort was a welcome sight, you could see how hard he was running and it's nice to know he has plenty left in the tank. He furthered surprised by keeping his mouth shut, not once did he stop playing to jaw with the ref.
The offense, especially in the first half, was firing on all cylinders. Zakuani supplied the second goal putting a right-footed volley past Shuttleworth. Fredy Montero got the last goal by freezing a defender with a fake volley then scooting to his right for a low shot. It probably should have been stopped, but in his defense Shuttleworth didn't get much help from his backs.
Seattle's defense, on the other hand, played very well. Kasey Keller was only forced to make a single save. But apparently it was one too many. He was visibly upset with the backs on that occasion and verbally slapped them upside the head. Patrick Ianni filled in beautifully for Osvaldo Alonso shutting down Shalrie Joseph my monitoring his movement closer than an ankle-bracelet.
All in all a fantastic evening. So I will say it again - Yea!
Not just a win though, a three-nothing shellacking that left poor Bobby Shuttleworth shell-shocked. Leo Gonzalez opened the scoring just five minutes in with a sweet left footed blast past the baby-faced keeper. It proved to be the game-winner and set off an emotional outpouring from the home faithful. Just that quickly a months-long funk turned into a euphoric celebration. Amidst the dancing, hugs and high-fives was a stadium-wide sigh of relief. One akin to a family's emotional upturn at the news of a loved-one's unexpected recovery.
The buzzards, or at least the bloggers, had been circling over the Sounders ready to pronounce them dead. Freddie Ljungberg was a particular target, some suggesting he be benched others ready to sell him to the first bidder. No more. He played like he cared, and what a difference. He made a number of fantastic runs, in at least one case catching the speedy Steve Zakuani to put himself in position to take a cross. Such effort was a welcome sight, you could see how hard he was running and it's nice to know he has plenty left in the tank. He furthered surprised by keeping his mouth shut, not once did he stop playing to jaw with the ref.
The offense, especially in the first half, was firing on all cylinders. Zakuani supplied the second goal putting a right-footed volley past Shuttleworth. Fredy Montero got the last goal by freezing a defender with a fake volley then scooting to his right for a low shot. It probably should have been stopped, but in his defense Shuttleworth didn't get much help from his backs.
Seattle's defense, on the other hand, played very well. Kasey Keller was only forced to make a single save. But apparently it was one too many. He was visibly upset with the backs on that occasion and verbally slapped them upside the head. Patrick Ianni filled in beautifully for Osvaldo Alonso shutting down Shalrie Joseph my monitoring his movement closer than an ankle-bracelet.
All in all a fantastic evening. So I will say it again - Yea!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The sayer of neigh!
The day after hasn't brought a glowing shimmer of love to my opinion of yesterday's disappointment in Colorado.
Certainly I could whine about our finishing, but talk about a dead horse (fell to the ground last season, rotting in the rain of Washington's extended winter).
I could add to the babble concerning our depth at midfield having reared its ugly head due to a rash of injuries. (Am I the only one who is calling for a SERIOUS look at the training staff of the Sounders at this point?)
Nope, I'll join the small group (could be just me) demanding Freddie be benched. Let's take a look at the numbers shall we? Two assists from eleven matches. Assuming any number I've read is accurate (let's not, okay), FL10 is making $600,000+ per year on his two year contract. That would make his rate of pay per match, approximately 20k. We would then have shelled out, to date, $110k per assist from our Swede.
Is this too much for everything else he brings to the table? I say yes. Will benching him for one match make financial sense (upping his rate per assist to $120k)? Not really. But at this point, who cares?
But Jonathon, you may argue, he brings other things to the table. Yes, he does. He pulls three defenders to him and doesn't get rid of the ball soon enough to make the opposition's positioning pay for the triple team, he mostly loses the ball. He also whines at the referees. Manages to hit free kicks into a one man wall (two times, so far) or not on frame. Hasn't produced a corner kick that resulted in a goal (out of 55 attempts). These things he has done.
Thankfully I haven't been keeping track of unforced turnovers this season as I thought the practice was overkill last year (the whole one game I did it), but I am guessing (from the non-clinical data I have...my memory), the numbers would be unfavorable. Not solely from Mr. Llungberg, either. This problem has been plaguing Tyrone Marshall the entirety of this season, long balls from the back, straight to the other team.
I've said this on the podcast and for the three of you who don't listen, I say call this season a wash, bring on the young lads (ya know, the ones who ran around against Boca and looked like they were enjoying themselves), get them experience for next year so we can at least field decent teams against Portland and Vancouver.
In other news, there was some movement in our Prediction League, not much, as we all expected some sort of showing from the boys in Green.
Jonathon: 15
Troy: 13
KP: 11
Bocasounders: 4
Jason: 2
I'm going on record right now and saying we will lose to New England 1-0 in a sleeper of a match at Qwest. I don't know if any of the Revolution will actually be able to produce a goal all by themselves, so I am forced to predict an own goal by Parke. Most likely off the head.
Certainly I could whine about our finishing, but talk about a dead horse (fell to the ground last season, rotting in the rain of Washington's extended winter).
I could add to the babble concerning our depth at midfield having reared its ugly head due to a rash of injuries. (Am I the only one who is calling for a SERIOUS look at the training staff of the Sounders at this point?)
Nope, I'll join the small group (could be just me) demanding Freddie be benched. Let's take a look at the numbers shall we? Two assists from eleven matches. Assuming any number I've read is accurate (let's not, okay), FL10 is making $600,000+ per year on his two year contract. That would make his rate of pay per match, approximately 20k. We would then have shelled out, to date, $110k per assist from our Swede.
Is this too much for everything else he brings to the table? I say yes. Will benching him for one match make financial sense (upping his rate per assist to $120k)? Not really. But at this point, who cares?
But Jonathon, you may argue, he brings other things to the table. Yes, he does. He pulls three defenders to him and doesn't get rid of the ball soon enough to make the opposition's positioning pay for the triple team, he mostly loses the ball. He also whines at the referees. Manages to hit free kicks into a one man wall (two times, so far) or not on frame. Hasn't produced a corner kick that resulted in a goal (out of 55 attempts). These things he has done.
Thankfully I haven't been keeping track of unforced turnovers this season as I thought the practice was overkill last year (the whole one game I did it), but I am guessing (from the non-clinical data I have...my memory), the numbers would be unfavorable. Not solely from Mr. Llungberg, either. This problem has been plaguing Tyrone Marshall the entirety of this season, long balls from the back, straight to the other team.
I've said this on the podcast and for the three of you who don't listen, I say call this season a wash, bring on the young lads (ya know, the ones who ran around against Boca and looked like they were enjoying themselves), get them experience for next year so we can at least field decent teams against Portland and Vancouver.
In other news, there was some movement in our Prediction League, not much, as we all expected some sort of showing from the boys in Green.
Jonathon: 15
Troy: 13
KP: 11
Bocasounders: 4
Jason: 2
I'm going on record right now and saying we will lose to New England 1-0 in a sleeper of a match at Qwest. I don't know if any of the Revolution will actually be able to produce a goal all by themselves, so I am forced to predict an own goal by Parke. Most likely off the head.
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