The GOALSeattle forums have been filled with posts since day one of camp over concern about the Sounders' defensive back line. Jeff Parke doesn't seem to want to play in Seattle and hasn't signed, while the deal for Costa Rican Roy Miller fell through due to health care issues for his pregnant girlfriend. All the while the names being brought into camp had "M" or "F" by them. Very few "D's." Still, how could you argue with giving up only two goals in three pre-season matches? Where was the proof that Seattle's defense may be suspect?
Last night's 3-2 training match loss to the San Jose Earthquakes provided some evidence for us defense-doubters. Even head coach Sigi Schmid slipped in a concern.
“In a game when you score two goals, it’s always a good thing. I thought Fredy Montero looked sharp. I thought his understanding with Nate (Jaqua) was very good. I thought offensively it was good,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid told SoundersFC.com. “In the first half, we made two mistakes and conceded two goals. And then we made a mistake early in the second half and conceded a third goal. So it’s still a case of we have to get a lot better defensively. People have to make better decisions. It’s not a matter of people being in the right places, it’s making the right decisions.”
I'm not sure if Sigi believes he has the right personnel in place in the back and they just are making 'bad decisions,' or if he already realizes more help (talent) is needed. Seattle's back line starters for the match were Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl, Taylor Graham and James Riley. Kasey Keller was tagged with all three goals.
The defensive concerns coming to light overshadowed to a degree the continued sparkle of Colombian striker Fredy Montero. Fredy scored both of Seattle's goals and continues to gain experience and confidence in the attackers that surround him.
Tyrone Marshall, the recently acquired Jamaican central defender and national team captain has yet to see action for Seattle. The club is coming back home to train next week and he is expected to join them then.
Match reports:
SoundersFC.com
Tacoma News Tribune
SanLuisObispo.com
MercuryNews.com
ProstAmerika.com
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