Seattle Sounders fans, you are a spoiled lot. Not that your support doesn't deserve a winning side, because clearly it does. But so soon?
MONTERREY (MEXICO) AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC, CCL Group C match
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Qwest Field
TV: Fox Soccer Channel
RADIO: 97.3 FM
In only their second year of existence Seattle Sounders FC are taking on the issues that most clubs---big clubs---around the world would love to take on: playing in various competitions.
Tonight at Qwest Field Seattle hosts Mexican side Monterrey in what many believe is the biggest, toughest non-MLS match so far in the new club's history.
Jorge Rivera says today over at ProstAmerika.com:
"I believe Monterrey right now could be one of the probably top five, at worst top ten, franchises in all North America when it comes to soccer playing because of the way they have been organizing, because of the way they have been running their business. They are the current winter tournament champions in Mexico. They won the 2009 Apertura tournament and right now they’re positioned third in the league. They are the team that’s scored the most goals. They’re a very dangerous team to play, definitely probably the biggest challenge that Sounders have faced in northern competition."
Kevin McCauley shares this with SounderatHeart.com:
"Of all the tests that the Seattle Sounders face in all competitions this season, C.F. Monterrey looks to be the toughest. The Mexican Primera side won the 2009 Apertura and went into the Bicentenario playoffs with the top seed before being upset by Pachuca. This season, they're on top of their game again, currently sitting in second place both in the overall table and Group 1 of the 2010 Apertura. During the Bicentenario, their goal assassin Humberto Suazo was out on loan to Real Zaragoza, but he's returned and appears to be firing on all cylinders."
The Seattle Times ponders the size and loyalty of tonight's crowd:
A lessened home-field advantage might also come into play for Sounders FC. As of Tuesday afternoon, the team had sold more than 19,000 tickets for the match, but a number of those might be from Monterrey fans.
While acknowledging that possibility, Keller said he expects the support from the crowd to be similar to regular-season games.
"I just couldn't see our fans getting outnumbered by anybody," he said. "I don't think that's possible. If Barcelona can't do it and Chelsea can't do it, I don't see Monterrey doing it."
The Tacoma News Tribune talks about Seattle's taste of international soccer:
Sounders rookie David Estrada has a dual perspective on the game as both a player and a longtime fan of Mexican soccer, which he followed while growing up in Southern California.
“(Monterrey has) a very good following back in Mexico,” he said. “They’re one of the top clubs. … They’re the toughest team in this group, I think. (It would be meaningful to play) any Mexican team, just because I’d get to play against some of the guys I grew up watching. … Monterrey is definitely a team it would be an honor to play against.”
Monterrey is a popular club, but Estrada recognizes that Mexico has more popular teams. Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara are the nation’s equivalent to Manchester United or the New York Yankees.
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