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Three up, two down. That's how the first five matches have gone for Seattle Sounders FC after the club went to Los Angeles and will come home 2-0 losers to Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
The Seattle offense that had been brilliant and productive in the first three matches, all victories, has now not scored a goal in 5 straight halves over three matches. Seattle are still creating some chances, including one that should have put them up 1-0 in the first half.
Matt Gaschk reports from SoundersFC.com: Chris Eylander made his first MLS start and it looked like Fredy Montero would stake him to an early lead. Freddie Ljungberg led the Sounders leading scorer on a great run up the middle of the field. Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton scrambled off his line and Montero tried to chip it over the imposing veteran, but his shot fell just wide of the net.
“I know as a forward, you think, ‘maybe I could’ve hit the ball hard and low and slipped it past him,’ but the main thing is, at that moment in the game, where if we have a chance to go up 1-0, it changes the entire complexion of the game,” Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said.
Instead, Seattle suffered the misfortune of their first-ever own goal. Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein crossed a ball in front of the net in the 32nd minute and Sounders defender James Riley redirected the ball into his own goal as he tried to clear.
Both clubs went for subs in the second half, and the players brought in repsonded well. For Seattle it was Steve Zakuani adding speed and movement. Chivas USA did better though, bringing in Chukwudi Chijindu. He had several early chances and then capped off the Chivas USA win with a goal in the 84th.
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Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein of Chivas USA. (InsideSoCal.com)
The Sounders are stuck on 9 points and remain in second place in the Western Conference behind the 13 points of still unbeaten Chivas USA. Seattle host San Jose next Saturday at Qwest Field in a match I would imagine will be called a 'must win' to turn the current drought around. The Earthquakes are currently sitting on only one win and five points after drawing 1-1 with rivals Los Angeles Galaxy last night.
It's back to reality for the Sounders, who must now ask serious questions about themselves. Are they the prancing ponies who scored at will in their first three matches? The scattered strugglers who fail in front of net like in their last two matches? Something inbetween or altogether different?
Major League Soccer is asking tough questions of the new Seattle club. When it comes to getting on the scoreboard, right now the Sounders have no answers.
Match reports:
- After hot start, Sounders cooling off (MLSnet.com)
- Chivas USA claim top of the table clash (Goal.com)
- Sounders create own problems (TNT)
- Sounders FC loses secon din a row (Seattle Times)
Comments
Did the USLSounders fans of last year know that under the slightest bit of pressure Eylander cannot punt down the center of the field. Sigi and his coaches should have known this and kept a fullback in support to take the kicks.
I would think that assistant coach Schmetzer would relay info. like this to Schmid.
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