Kasey Keller leaves the pitch after being red-carded for handling the ball outside the penalty box. (Rick Morrison)
The script-writers that Joe Roth has been using to write the outcomes of Sounders matches took the week off, it would seem. While all of the drama and crowd support remained at Qwest Field against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night, the 1-0 loss by the Sounders was no Hollywood ending.
The Sounders set some negative firsts:
- First first half without a goal
- First player ejected (Red card)
- First goal allowed
- First loss
- First home loss
- First time shut out
The club did, however, extend an MLS record streak for the start of a season by not allowing a goal until the 80th minute of their fourth match (349 minutes without giving up a goal to start a season).
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That's one way to stop Fredy Montero. The Wizards' Lance Watson tugs away. (Rick Morrison)
Further, there was some bad luck in the mix and a nice battle back by Seattle in the second half. Kudos must also go to the 28,000 fans who supported and stood from kick off until the final whistle, getting their loudest after the Kansas City goal in an effort to rally their club.
Seattle started shakily and seemed confused by the Wizards' defensive scheme. Sounders' goalkeeper Kasey Keller was ejected for intentionally using his hands to stop an attempt on goal outside of the penalty area 30 minutes into the match. After Keller's ejection (he'll miss next week at Chivas USA too) the Sounders took out Sebastien Le Toux and brought Ben Dragavon in as the goalkeeper.
“I thought I could beat him to the ball. I was mistaken, but then I still thought I was going to win the tackle, which I did" said Keller of the play that sent Seattle down to ten men. "Obviously he lifted the ball a little bit, but I still, like I said, ‘I thought my arms were in and not where it would be an issue,’ but I guess not… In hindsight, maybe I stay in my line and save the one-on-one, but you make split second decisions and unfortunately I paid the price for that one.”
“I thought Ben, the team, I thought we really played great. I’m just very disappointed. I did not see Kansas scoring at all. Like I said, ‘we were by far the better team the second half.’ Out shot them, out played them, out possession, out everything, you would’ve thought we were the team with the advantage… That obviously shows the credit to this team and that we’re definitely going to win a lot of games this year.”
Bad day at the office. Freddie Ljungberg reacts after Kansas City takes the lead in the 80th minute. (Rick Morrison)
In the second half the Sounders looked like the club that had the man advantage for much of the time. Somehow the Wizards deflected several shots that seemed destined for the back of the net. The night's luck and destiny all belonged to Kansas City, though. Dragavon was beaten by Davey Arnaud on a long-range shot (shortly after Dragavon had punched away a KC try on a diving one-armed save) in the 80th minute.
The Sounders fall to 3-1 on the season and second place in the Western Conference. Seattle will travel to first-place Chivas USA next Saturday night.
Match Reports:
More photos:
Scores from around MLS:
- Toronto 1:1 FC Dallas
- San Jose 3:3 Chicago
- RSL 2:1 DC United
- Columbus 1:1 Colorado
- Houston 0:0 New York
- LA 0:0 Chivas USA
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Comments
Good stuff - love the photos. Linked.
Go get'em next time, Sounders!
Good on the fans keeping up support for the team when the tides turn, unlike the TFC "support" last week for their own team. They're still claiming better fans than us?
Oh well. Just gotta stay healthy and play hard, no matter the circumstances, and these were some pretty heavy circumstances. If they can work through then next game with a win, it'll show how strong the Sounders are even with an important teammate missing--we've seen wins without Ljungberg starting, and without Montero starting, and while I love Keller and what he does for us, winning without Keller starting would prove the Sounders' strength in week-to-week adaptability.
Not hard to imagine given the effort in the last two-thirds of the KC game. But it's like building a house of cards: better to feel and learn from a loss now while it's easier to clean up the mess. As amazing as a continued win/shutout streak would have been, the eventual loss could've been rather devastating without knowing what to expect from the fans and players in a loss in the first place.
So I guess from here, they've experienced the important stuff after an excellent start and can move on to making more history, as they should be.
This was my first Sounders FC game and I am HOOKED! The fans are amazing with their support (and loudness- NO EQUAL!). Great coverage David. I will be getting all my Sounders FC news here henceforth.
~Brie
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