THE SOUNDER FC FAN BLOG

My Thoughts on Sounders V Colorado

2009-05-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

What's up Sounders Junkies,

Time for a little ranting about this weekend in Colorado where hopefully we can pull the three points.

No Ljunberg, Evans, or Scott means we are shuffling a little bit. Not that losing Scott bothers me, he is a huge liability right now. I think he can be a good player but right now Alonso totally covered him to the extreme when Sturgis was hurt.

Montero is going out wide for this game according to some blogs and rumors I have been hearing. If that is true, then Le Toux and Jaqua are going back up front and that means maybe a little more speed and knock down type stuff we saw earlier. It worked against LA so maybe it will work against the Rapids.

We get Sturgis and Riley back which is bringing our back 4 together again. I think we may see Vagenas start tomorrow, Sigi trusts him, he is veteran, and he needs games.

Colorado has played pretty well recently 3-2-3 is a decent record and they are at home. I think Conor Casey is a Euro disappointment but he can probably contribute to the Rapids.

To be clear I fully expect the Sounders to go out and prove the second half against Dallas was a one time thing. They need to go out and play a complete game and convert on the final touch.

They should have been at least 3-0 up at half time, but they didn't and drew the match against the worst team in MLS.

Expansion teams go through rough patches but this team has a lot of talent in the forward half and they shouldn't be having a ton of trouble creating chances. It is all about finishing with this team.

I think the dry patch will end and they can get a couple goals tomorrow.

A point doesn't hurt us at this point, Chivas is rolling and all we want as Sounder fans is to stay in the Playoff places and get healthy. Then by September/October we are playing really well and getting in the playoffs where anything can happen.

I would rather have the dry spell now keep getting draws then start winning again going into the Summer and Fall.

That's all for now.

Peace!!

Musings Mid Week

2009-05-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

It was a dissapointing draw against FC Dallas for me, the consumate Sounder/Football fan, it was extermely disheartening to see all the chances go to waist like they did on Saturday.

United got its title out of the way now they will focus on the Champions League Final and already news that John O'Shea will start from the go. That is not a suprise considering the fact that Neville is hurt and so is Wes Brown.

Germany's title will go down to the last day with Wolfsburg and the Klinsmen-less Bayern Munich. This league has been the most exciting in terms of goal scoring this season. I find it highly entertaining even though the quality of the leage is not up to say the EPL. Their was something like 60 goals scored on the weekend in the Bundesliga, that is impressive and creates a great style of game play for the fans in Germany and around the world.

Barca and Inter sealed their respective league titles so kudos to them. Barca also won the Copa Del Rey in style 4-1 so they will be going for trebile of their own next week.

Onto MLS, a lot of the same I think. The response to the horrible officiating has been disgraceful from MLS. Don Garber is proving to be a "money man" and not a soccer executive. It is not just the Sounders games but these referees are making games into refereeing specticals because they miss the obvious calls and then when they feel it is getting out of hand they call everything and disrupt the flow of the game.

My answer for the problem is to have full time employeed officails, so then they can properly prepare for games and certain teams styles. I also think that maybe keeping a crew of three together might be a good idea. Lets get some continuitiy between the three on field officials.

If the fourth official is different so be it, but at least those three are the same and understand each others tendencies.

All for now.

Previews for the Weekend

2009-05-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

It is Friday and I decided it was a good idea to get my MLS predictions out as long as my picks for the big Arsenal Manchester United game coming up tomorrow as well as Newcastle's game against Fulham.

First lets start with United all they need is a draw and they win another title and tie Liverpool for titles...finally. Who doesn't think United wont be celebrating a title tomorrow? I know I think they will, the only thing that sucks about this match is I have to get up at 4 AM to watch it. United 3 Arsenal 1.

Newcastle V Fulham: what can I say, the Maggies came to life against a weak Middlesbourgh side. A draw and Hull loss helps them but Newcastle wants three. Fulham is aiming for the Europa League. Dempsey and company have turned it around and Roy Hodgson should be manager of the year.

I think this ends up a score draw 1-1 or Fulham win 2-1.

Now MLS

Sounders v FC Dallas: no atmosphere= trap game for me. Also no Sturgis or Riley. I don't like Zach Scott but I think Ianni will surprise when he plays. I expect Hurtado to take Cooper out of the game. Other then him they have a couple decent players but from what I saw last week they don't have the speed to hang with the Sounders.

2-1 Sounders.

Toronto FC v Fire: I hate both these teams and there fans, I respect McBride that is why the Fire get the nod here. Wow, another draw last week what a surprise. Fol2005 on YouTube wont like me but he and the Section 8 scum and fuck offs who don't know dick about soccer atmosphere.

With that said Toronto is playing bad 3-2 Fire.

New England v Colorado: I pick New England here because I don't trust Colorado to sustain anything with Conor Casey. He is to streaky for me.

1-0 New England

Houston Dynamo v New York Red Bull: I think Houston is going to start to warm up and get on a little run here. They won the Texas Derby and it keeps going with Ching, Kamara, and Stuart Holden.

3-1 Houston

Kansas City v Real Salt Lake: if Real gets scoring opportunities this game is theres. Claudo Lopez is all this team has up front...sorry Josh Wolff fans.

2-1 Real

Chivas v DC United: Leaders of both conferences square off. Chivas is playing really well, Preki can flat out coach. But, for some reason I like DC in this game. I will go with Fred, Emilo and Co.

3-1 Screaming Eagles.

Well have fun watching whatever games you are watching this weekend. European leagues are finishing up so that is really exciting. Go Sounders!

Man U v Wigan Review, More Musings

2009-05-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

What a great game for my United. Maybe Fergie will realize that now Tevez is worth the money. He was brought on and United fought back from 1-0 down and won 2-1. Now a draw against the Gooners means that for a third consecutive year the title trophy stays in Manchester with the Red side of town.

Anderson was in effective and Berbatov had a tough time with the defense of Wigan to start but once Ronaldo was moved to the middle and Tevez (see right) was brought on it all changed.

Great, great win for the team, Fergie will be please, now they have a quick turnaround for an afternoon start against Arsenal. But what I got from this game against Wigan will have more to do with what the team does during the summer then anything else.

Now I know more then ever that Valencia, Ribery, and Tevez need to be at United next season. Sorry Ronaldo you can go to Madrid and be a fantastic player but no team the stature of United should turn down close to 80 million. No player is worth that much but if Madrid will buy him for that as a team United can buy three world class players for one!

Who wouldn't do that? I mean come on, I would do that in a heart beat. I am a huge backer of Ronaldo but even now his antics wear on me. At least guys like Ribery and Valencia are honest, hard working, talented players that are world quality.

More to come later, I will preview the Sounders and FC Dallas and give predictions for both the EPL and the MLS.

Also I will give a few views on Germany, Louis Van Gaal went to Munich and snubbed Sunderland. I like the move for Van Gaal but he better produce or he will turn out like Klinsman to be honest.

What will happen to Klinsman???? Possibilities with USA???? More later this week!

MLS All Star Voting

2009-05-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

MLS All Star game voting is starting, lets vote in all our fucking Sounder players. Guys like Keller, Marshall, Hurtado, Ljundberg, Montero, and Zakuani deserve to be recognized!!!!!

Go to MLSNET.com and Vote.....NOW!

Man United v Wigan Set for Wednesday

2009-05-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

This will be an interesting game for United. There are rumors all over the Internet that after Ronaldo's antics on Sunday that he and Fergie had a huge bust up afterward. I have even read a rumor that Fergie has agreed to sell Ronaldo to Mardrid for 72 Million pounds!!!!! If that happens then United can do what the fans want and resign Tevez for 26 Million and take the rest and go get Frank Ribery(seen on right) who right now could turn into just as good a player without being a bitch of a teammate.

Interestingly enough, the opponents for United Wednesday have a player linked with United and that is Luis Antonio Valencia(seen below). He has the speed and the creativity to be a right sided threat for United and maybe he would be a fit if they sell Ronaldo loose Tevez and sign Ribery.

Make Ribery into a role like Ronaldo where it is all interchangeable. It will be interesting to see, I really like Valencia, he is an interesting prospect brought to Wigan for next to nothing. Much like Wilson Palacios who was sold for 14 million when he cost like 2 million to get from South America.

Now Wigan has some attacking options like Rodellega, Valencia, Zaki, Mido, Cattermole is solid, and N'Zogbia from Newcastle has had a resurgence at Wigan.

I rate Steve Bruce and think he would be a fantastic manager for a Fergie less United side.

So tomorrow will be fun a United win seals another title for the Red Devils (I hope this happens). It will tie them with the Scouser Scum for titles.

All Appeals for Champions League Final Rejected

2009-05-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Well this didn't suprise me though as a United fan (been one since the mid 90's) I just think its a disgrace. The idea of Darren Fletcher not being able to participate is a sad. He has been crucial this season and I for one am worried with him out who is going to keep the Barca mid field in check? I like Carrick but he can't do it alone. Scholes is old and on his day can do it but not on a consistent basis. I think watching Anderson against Arsenal will ease a lot of peoples fears and turning him into a box to box midfielder has been a stroke of genius by United. When he arrived from Sporting Lisbon he was an all out attacking middle man. Not anymore and I like the way he plays, he has set up crucial goals down the stretch.

Abidal and Alves I can't say so much for them, they deserved what they are getting. Guardiola had the nice tough of saying if United back our appeals we will back their appeal as well. That is bogus he wants his two players back who are crucial for the United player who can be replaced.

So now that it is done I am wondering what else will happen before the final. We will see.

Views on Sunday

2009-05-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

A lot of thoughts on the Sounders and Galaxy, along with that United cruised past City which only helps them in finishing off the title chase once and for all.

If I had wanted to see a rugby match I would have stayed home and watched the Magners League on Setanta. But coming from a team coached by Bruce Arena I was not totally shocked at the way the Galaxy played.

They did what got Arena fired by the US Soccer Federation. Sit back and let teams attack and after 20 minutes plus when the Sounders rightfully took the lead it seemed that those tactics were failing.

Then a missed penalty after an equalizer that was against the run of play and everything went to "hell in a hand basket." Whoever the referee was doesn't deserve to call another game is MLS.

His refusal to send off Mike Magee for an obvious obstruction in play (holding onto the ball when a free kick for the Sounders was awarded) should have had him sent off. Then Riley, rightfully, goes and takes the ball from him and the Galaxy huddle around him and try and push him around and he defended himself and got Red.

The side judge on the side it happens deserves blame as well it was him and Landon Donavon that got the Red card brought out.

Even after that the Galaxy were second class citizens on the pitch. The Sounders had at least three clear chances they just couldn't finish. One by Stephen King who had just come on was very close why he didn't slide in all out for it I will never know. He could have and scored but he chose not to.

Also to end the Galaxy opine, I will never respect Landon Donavon ever again, over and over he acted in a manner that is not be fitting of a captain of a club. For example taking a swipe at Ljunberg on numerous occasion in the middle of the park to stop our attacks. He was never carded and should have been sent off or at least given a yellow after the 3rd swipe at Ljunberg.

Getting a point at home is disappointing when you outplay the opponent but it is better then getting zero. Now we play FC Dallas who looked like garbage against Houston on ESPN 2 Saturday.

A quick word on Manchester United, Ronaldo acted like a baby when he got taken off. What he needs to understand and I am sure Fergie told him afterward, is that he needs to stay fresh. Also City have gotten him sent off in the last two derby games at Old Trafford so once the 2-0 lead materialized it was smart to get him off the pitch.

All for now!

What I Watched

2009-05-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Just got done with my recorded games, what a job by Fulham, they really put the hurt of Aston Villa. Both teams played open but Fulham and Kamara converted the chances they had. One of my favorites from the National team Clint Dempsey played a hell of a game in my view. He was all over the place and helped create one of Kamaras goals with a nice through ball.

Aston Villa will be disappointed probably, when I saw the starters for both teams I said to myself,"Fulham will be happy with a point." It didn't turn out that way and Fulham deserved the points from this fans perspective. I was looking over scored and Liverpool 3 West Ham 0 at Upton Park was kind of a surprise. I had heard on Setanta that West Ham had one of the stingiest defenses at home in the league. Liverpool just keep pace with United for now, but all the Champions of the World have to do is keep on winning, they still have the game in hand as well.
Finally, Millwall v Leeds, it was basically a smash mouth type of game. These two clubs obviously don't like each other and it showed. Millwall won 1-0 but Leeds will think they will turn it around. Being a Man U fan I don't want them to, for so long Leeds fans thought they were just this huge big 4 club and now they know they are not. Newcastle is turning into the new version of Leeds. Part of me wants Leeds back so we can beat them down, but the other part wants me to see them suffer.

Back to the game, Phabian Delph is a for real player, I don't see him staying at Leeds unless they keep getting promoted. He has the skill to succeed in the Premiere League on a regular basis. I will give Leeds credit, as a Man U fan that is hard, but they have developed some nice players. Delph is going to be good, if someone like Fergie or Wenger got their hands on him and taught him how to be a winner he would be a real stud.

All for now, Texas Derby tonight, Manchester Derby tomorrow, and Sounders V Galaxy tomorrow.

Later!

Stoke v Hull

2009-05-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

Greetings soccer fans,

Just watched some Stoke V Hull this morning and lets just say the quality was Coca Cola Championship level at best. But in the end Stoke came away 2-1 winners.

Personally I wanted Hull to do well this season. They make it up through the Playoff win 6 of their 9 games and now they can't buy a result. If either Newcastle or Middlesbourgh get it together I think Hull will be in a world of trouble.

These stupid mental lapses Hull have just drive a fan and a neutral crazy! Ricardo Fullers goal in the fist half should have been cleared before he had the time to whip-turn and shoot.

Lawerences second was pure class and then Hull got the consolation in stoppage time. To little to late I guess. On the bright side, Stoke assured their safety most definetly. I as a neutral fan am impressed with Pulis he has held that club together through a rough middle part of the season and now he has his team safe and in the Premeire League next season.

All for now, I have Leeds v Millwall on DVR and I am watching Villa and Fulham now...1-1 in the 29th minute, very entertaining!.

More to follow

EPL, Old Firm, Promotions, and More

2009-05-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

Some choice games this weekend I think.

My Saturday game of choice would probably be the relegation 6 pointer Hull City and Stoke City. either team wins and it will help them survive. Stoke wins and they are going to be safe I think.

Tony Pulis is doing a great job the second half of the season, Etherington, Beattie, and co. have been playing strong since the transfer window closed. To me Beattie has be an impact signing with the crucial goals he has scored. I watched Liverpool play them at the Britannia Stadium, that atmosphere is bar none the best I saw in any English Stadium.

Sunday is Manchester Derby time. 3 points United! Regardless of Robihno or Ireland. I will take United.

Also the Semi-Final Losers: Chelsea v Arsenal play each other. Arsenal will try to get pay back for the FA Cup Semi loss but I don't see it with a determined Chelsea side who are playing for Guus Hiddnik like they were playing for Mourhino.

The Old Firm Derby(see pic), interesting stat about that last two have been won by the road team. Expect the same here as the Hoops go for another title and automatic Champions League Qualification.

Maurice Edu: please Bob Bradley, take the damn player to the Confederations Cup, start him behind Bradley and leave it. This kid is for real, taking advantage of the poor judgement of Barry Ferguson.

Preston North End and Sheffield United drew one-one today at Deep Dale. I didn't even know Setanta showed that in the USA but they did so I watched. Advantage Sheffield to get back up.

Burnley play Reading, obviously I like Reading because of the Marcus Hannahmen prediction. That is all with that.

MLS:
Toronto(don't really care) v DC- please DC justify my support.

Houston v Dallas- the "Texas Derby"- Take Houston, Brian Ching played for old Sounders.

Columbus v Kansas City- I take Wiz because they had a banner of the Special 1 a couple weeks ago in there supporters end...very nice.

Chivas v Real Salt Lake- Cbivas has been winning don't see why it wont continue.

Chicago v New England- after last week the Fire fans and the team are turning into another team to hate for me. 5 draws in 7 games and they think there SH*T don't stink. Start winning games and get back to me. I could care less about there "undefeated record".

In Spain: Valencia v Real Madrid could be fun. With Madrid trying to bounce back from the 6-2 ass kicking they got from Barca. Also Valencia is going to probably make the Champions League then have a fire sale because the team is riddled in debt. Bye to David Villa, David Silva, Joaquin, and the rest of those great attacking players.

Barcelona v Villarreal: interesting match up I like Villarreal but I don't think Senna, Rossi, Capdavelia, and Co. can handle Messi, Eto'o, Henry, Ineista, Xavi, and Co.

Sounders and Galaxy This Sunday and Whatever

2009-05-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings from my humble house south of Seattle,

Galaxy v Sounders....this means Donovan v Sounders. He is the key to the game for most Sounders supporters. If we hold him down then we have an excellent chance at three points.

I think this will be a team effort to stop him, to many times has Donovan made holding mid-fielders look extremely bad. But I also believe that we have one of the best "6 hole" players in MLS in Alonso.

If he and the center combo of Hurtado (my new favorite player) and Marshall can contain Donovan the keys to the car are taken away. He has 5 goals already this season, that is more then a couple of teams in MLS.

On the Donovan thing really quick, will this guy ever challenge himself and go to the EPL or will MLS just balk at it? I mean I believe if he were put into a side in the 5-14 range in the table he could succeed. I think a team like Aston Villa with no Gareth Barry would be a nice fit in the middle I think.

Or is Donovan really a forward? Then lets look at a team like Everton, they will not be able to keep Jo permanently and Saha is injury prone. I also think Cahill is more effective in the middle and Yakubu is injured badly who knows if he will be a viable option. I also think a team like Stoke, yes Stoke if they stay up he would work with James Beattie.

Onto my final predictions for the game, Bruce Arena is forming a small version of his old national side: Sanneh, Berhalter, Lewis, Kirovski.....well they were good at one time.

Zakuani is the key again, can he get wide and create crosses. If Ljundberg is at forward then I really think Nyassi should get the nod or even start Le Toux up front with no Montero is an option.

We will see, three points is the goal.

Barcalona to Play the Sounders FC

2009-05-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wow,

This was something as a huge fan I had heard rumblings about but now that this is true I couldn't be more excited.

As most of the Sounder fans know Barca play one of the most entertaining styles of football in the world and it will be a fucking privledge to watch them in person.

If I am in another part of the country I am flying back for this game for sure!

Who would have thought the Sounders would have two top class exhibitions in its first season. That is better then the lame Chicago Fire and Club America.

As you find out on this blog I have problems with Fire fans and Toronto FC fans. Along with Chivas USA and the way they play, I had these three teams and there fans.

I got a comment on a post I made on youtube and all the Fire fans say is they are undefeated still....who fucking cares when you have 5 draws and 2 wins.

Anyways,

Love this game Barca and Sounders, should be fun and wide open.

Final UEFA Cup Final Set

2009-05-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well that was interesting,

Shaktar and Werder Bremen (who I didn't fancy to make it into the final) are playing each other in the final UEFA Cup Final in Istanbul.

Although Diego is suspended for the final for to many yellow cards I still think Werder have the internationals to win and Almeida is a solid player along with Pizzaro.

I really like Martin Jol as a manager and I think he is a great coach and Tottenham would be better off with him (sorry Harry Redknapp).

Anyways I think we will see some scoring in this final (more then in Champions League) With Pizzaro and Almeida playing for Werder I expect them to win. But expect some entertainment in Istanbul for sure.

Chelsea's antics at end of game

2009-05-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

Wow,

I just watched the reply of the Chelsea v Barca game and saw the antics at the end.

What a disgrace, Drogba and Ballack (two great players I can do without) are going to be punished I have to believe. They were all over the referee from Norway. I even read an article where they were saying the British police had to smuggle him out of the country to make sure he made it home safe.

I understand the frustration and fire from the players and the supporters but threaten the official? How do fans justify acting like that? Also the players they know better.

I do agree about a couple of the hand balls, wow the official missed them. Lets be honest here though, the EPL is better then La Liga.

When Barca goes and wins 6-2 in Madrid that tells you something about a league. I fully expect Manchester United to win this final.

I also expect to see Drogba and Ballack no where near a Champions League game until the group stages next season. 5 to 6 games tops for them if not then UEFA have problems.

Comments are on folks.

More Later

First Post for new Blog

2009-05-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

Alright then,

As you were, this used to be just a personal blog spot but I want it to be more so I am going to be about the soccer "football". I am a huge Sounders FC, lived in Seattle area my whole life. So lets start this blog.

First off, 4-2-1 if you had said to me that was going to be our record this many games in I would have taken it hands down.

Some general observations on the club:

1. Sigi and the management staff seem to have made all the right moves but lets wait till we get further into the season before we give them a final grade.
2. Sigi it must be said, is the best manager in the league if he had an opportunity to go to Europe to manage he could succeed I think.
3.Montero is for real, I know as of right now he is on a scoring blip, but you don't score in every game. Now he misses the next match, which isn't deserved in my view.
4. Alonso and Hurtado have huge futures over seas eventually, I can see Alonso as Mascherano type and Hurtado has the skill in the air of some of the better defenders in the EPL I believe.
5. Keller still has "it" at first when I was deciding to write this blog I wasn't sure if he had anything left in the tank. I was wrong, he is just as good now as he was in the lead up to the last World Cup.
6. The home support doesn't shock me, MLS teams all over the country are shocked by the support but I am not. This team was going to get the support regardless of what has gone on in the city of Seattle.
7. Toronto, Chicago, aren't as good as their fans think. Sorry from watching them play the Sounders I don't see the comparison same can be said for Chivas, they were completely outplayed and didn't deserve to beat the Sounders.

All for now for The Sounders, I expect 3 points on Mothers Day, LA is not near the quality of the Sounders I expect Bruce Arena to park his team in front of goal and try and counter attack the Sounders. Good luck Bruce.

Onto the Champions League:

Manchester United is going to get 4 trophies, I like Barca but I don't think they have the quality defensively to handle Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Park, Berbatov, and Park. Carrick is the best holding mid fielder in England hands down. Also Vidic and Ferdinand are the best center half duo in the world right now. Their understanding with each other is telepathic!

Barca obviously will win La Liga, Inter is the same, United will nip Liverpool for EPL, Wolfsburg will win the Bundesliga, and AZ already won in Holland.

The next big tournament is the Confederations Cup more on that next blog. I will try and post here at least twice a week. Once after the Sounders game and once previewing next week and other tournaments.

Show some support

All for now