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In a season of obvious 'firsts' we can add a few to the list after Sounders FC's 1:1 draw May 2nd in Chicago.
- First field player red card (Fredy Montero)
- First goal off of a corner kick (Tyrone Marshall)
- First draw
- First goal allowed by Kasey Keller
- First match where Seattle were 'lucky' to get a positive result
Let's not pretend here, Sounders FC were incredibly lucky to get a point out of the visit to the Fire. Chicago were dominant and Blanco ran a 'how to' session on wing play, leaving poor Nate Sturgis as the slow-learning pupil.
Then there was the stupid elbow to the head by Fredy Montero on an otherwise meaningless jump near midfield. Montero can clearly now be labeled as in a severe 'funk.' The early shine of his three-goal start and league Player of the Month for March award has completely faded and has been replaced by sincere doubts about his mental toughness. No way does a smart player throw an elbow at that point in a match or that part of the field where there was no danger for Seattle. Montero has lost the plot and will now sit out against the Los Angeles Galaxy next Sunday May 10 at Qwest Field. Until his ejection Montero had been ineffective in the match.
What is it going to take for Montero to overcome the weight of his early talent show, his off-pitch trials, and now his mental errors and lack of focus, not to mention lack of chemistry with Freddie Ljungberg?
Fredy Montero's 'struggles' are now officially an 'issue' for Sounders FC.
Nothing really 'worked' for the Sounders against Chicago, who showed they are the better side and why they remain undefeated, if still with five draws. Seattle absorbed wave after wave of attack and Blanco found himself at times with yards and yards of space in which to operate. The second half was better despite the Montero ejection. Sounders FC had a bit more possession and did respond with the unlikely Marshall goal after the Fire had deservedly gone ahead.
Over the course of a long season contending clubs need 'lucky' matches like this where it all goes wrong and they still manage a road point. The Sounders have played well in their first seven matches and have earned everything they've gotten. It was guts, determination and a quick left foot by Marshall that 'earned' this point, with a big assist from Lady Luck.
Comments
Also, first comeback after going down -- an ability we didn't see against KC or Chivas. The fact that they managed it here is huge in my mind.
This is an important first. On the road a come-from-behind draw is good stuff. At Chicago, even BETTER stuff. Still, we did not play well, as Sigi and others have upped to.
"No way does a smart player throw an elbow at that point in a match or that part of the field where there was no danger for Seattle."
Really?!? You thought that was intentional? I'm not that big of a Fredy fan but I don't think there was intent there. I would hope that the club will seek an appeal on this one. Regardless, whether he sits or not, I would love to see LeToux up front more often and even as a starter for Sundays match v LA.
Yes, his elbow was intentional. He was trying to gain an advantage. Was it malicious? No.
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