There has been something of a shadow over the sounders, before the year started they were tipped by many to win the West and perhaps everything. It’s clear they have not played up to potential so far and good performances have been thin on the ground. Having said that the first half of the year has not been the total disaster and the sky is not falling.
Last night they produced by far and away the best performance of he year so far. Solid everywhere on the pitch. The passing was accurate, the recycling of the ball forward very good as was the use of space. Ljungberg had his best game of the year, and I don’t think that was a coincidence.
Leo Gonzales opened the scoring with a very impressive volley from the edge of the box. Gonzales passed the ball to Zakuani, who could not control it. The ball took a kind bounce back into the path of Gonzales who curled it past the keeper in great style
Seattle’s speed and a good short passing game made life difficult for New England. It was also the debut of the New England keeper Bobby Shuttleworth. He had a pretty good game and there was little he could have done about the three goals. He made hard work of a couple of straightforward back passes, but ultimately it was missed assignments and some questionable decisions from his defenders that led to the goals.
The second goal was another stunner, New England seemed asleep on a long throw in that Evans got to Zakuani who hit it first time from 15 yards out gave the keeper no chance. Another beautifully taken goal in what was a great team performance.
Noonan had a great chance and generally looked very dangerous in the box, did a lot of work for himself and set up the third goal, another good strike this time from Montero.
3-0 up at half time has not been safe in the past, but the second half was full of positive football for Seattle. By the end of the game they out shot NE 19-2, not total domination, but the little things the make a difference, precise passes, runs off the ball and so on are starting to come good. It was fun football to watch, very exciting and very much a team effort.
To put that in perspective, over the last six regular season games the sounders have scored 3 goals and conceded 9. More importantly had taken only four points out of a possible 18.
Thursday they host everyone’s favourite whipping boys DC United, three points there and they are back in the thick of the playoff hunt.