Give us your full 90 has been been the advertising slogan that the the Sounders have used in their marketing campaigns. It says it right there on the tarp behind the supporters section on the south end.The fans have shown up and given their full 90 every sold out game. Last night Sounders FC did not.
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The boys gave us the partial 90 or more like a full 70 to 80. Why, on a night when we were playing some of the most beautiful football that I have seen from this club all year, did the Sounders end up with a 3-3 draw against a DC United side that that the club clearly outplayed? I will tell you, lack of focus and lack of discipline, losing the midfield in the last 10 to 15 minutes of the match and failing to clear the ball was what beat Sounders FC.
I spoke to an associate, Dave Clark from Sounderatheart.com, on Monday. He wisely told me that what determines a good or bad tie is the opponent and/or Venue. Chicago v. Sounders = a good tie. Dallas v. Sounder = bad tie. DCU v. Sounders = disaster.
The 3-3 draws like the one that Sounders FC fans witnessed last night are the kind of results that rip a fans heart out. These are the kind of matches that make fans and world class goalkeepers angry. These are the matches that GM's and coaches lose sleep, torment players and keep writers and fans up past their bed time writing columns not so much for the benefit of the fans but as an outlet for pain and some frustration.
It is one thing to be outplayed and draw or lose but when you draw simply because you lose focus or play sloppy and unfocused football in the last 10 minutes, well, boys, you are better than that and you know it. The fans deserved better and frankly, so do you. You played the kind of football that the ownership group promised the fans you would play. You have heart, you have the talent and you care, but last night's draw is in discord with what you are about.
Fans and players angry
Kasey Keller is angry, the players are angry and the fans are angry. This is good. Be angry, be very angry and channel that anger. Because gentleman, this is a game you should have won and will win in the future.
There was chemistry, their was flow, there was overlapping on the ball. There were attacks and counter attacks. We created more pure scoring opportunities in this match then we did the whole past calendar month.
Alonso's venomous strike at 38:00 in retaliation for a goal scored by Chris Pontius because of a defensive breakdown in the 34th minute, is as good as anything you will ever see in the EPL or La Liga. Jacqua's goal that resulted from a lovely move with his back to the goal to help contribute to an own goal by Marc Burch score was brilliant. Fredy Montero showed us why he is that special player that we saw the first couple of matches, when he displayed a hesitation move and strike in the 57th minute. It was pure quality. This put the Sounders in the drivers seat 3-1.
The only statistic that matters.
Here are some interesting numbers Total Shots: DCU 10/Seattle 17, Shots on Goal: DCU 3/Seattle 9, Saves: DCU 7, Seattle 1 but the only statistic that matters is this one... FINAL SCORE: 3-3 What is wrong with this picture?
It is redemption time. Come on Boys, give us your full 90 we know you have it in you.
Seattle will travel to New York to take on the Red Bulls this Saturday at 7:30 (EDT) 4:30 (PST) the match will be televised on KONG TV.
Reach Greg Roth - Sounders Fan Insider at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
