Dave Kean

It’s been a pretty catastrophic week for Manchester football fans, both the Sky blue and reds. But for Manchester United their failure to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase was perhaps more keenly felt as the club has been part of three of the last four finals.

It looked very possible; all they needed to do was get a point against FC Basel. This is a side that has a solid record of producing a performance when the situation demanded it. Games like this are defined by a moment of magic, a special performance and Wednesday night it never happened.

When the groups were drawn Alex Ferguson himself couple not have picked a better group. It looked weak, there was no question who the big team was and this makes United’s elimination was even more eye opening. United were not good enough, results were poor and the price is elimination.

This is the 16^th year in a row United have qualified for the Champions League. This is only the second time they failed to make it out of the group stage. Benfica won the group that time too. Read more…

Not a game for the ages, but tonight we saw some world class players show how effortless this game can be. We also saw the difference between victory and loss can be wafer thin.

This was the last game of the champions League group stage, Seattle were already through and Monterrey (the defending champions in this competition) came loaded and needed a result to ensure qualification for the knockout stages next spring.

Among the talent on show tonight (and Monterrey has plenty of it) was Humberto Suazo, a top class player who spent last season with Real Zaragoza in the Spanish top flight. He looked like he was going to do something special every time he got the ball. Add Argentinian Cesar Delgardo, Mexican Luis Perez and the rest of the international and this was an excellent team Seattle took on tonight.

Seattle fielded a side with seven changes from the squad that started Saturday against San Jose. This included Brian Meridith making his first start for the club in goal.

Monterrey needed a win tonight and opened the scoring three minutes in when Dario Carrena got onto the end of a lofted through ball from Suazo. A defensive breakdown when no one pressed the Suazo. It was a nicely taken ball and the keeper never really had much of a chance.

Read more…

Two years go Manchester United played Barcelona in the Stadio Olympico in Rome for the Champions League title. Barcelona won 2-0. This year the same two teams, fittingly the Premier League and La Liga champions, met at Wembley in the Champions League final.

It was a good final, immeasurably better than last years when Inter played very defensive football to defeat Bayern Munich. Barcelona and United both came to play, both came to win, but it was men verses boys in the end. And of course Messi scored the goal that gave Barcelona the lead.

United started well and took the game to Barcelona, who of course just absorbed the pressure for the first ten minutes. A repeat of the last time these teams met in the final. Then Barcelona started to play, found their rhythm with the short passes and started dominating the game and the differences in style became clear.

The breakdown of a Barcelona attack would be followed by a long ball being played over the Barcelona midfield in an attempt to find a United forward. Barcelona would retake possession and the whole tiki-taka process would begin again. Barcelona were pretty to watch and United responded to the pressure, but they were playing the best club side in the world.

In the 27^th minute Barcelona went ahead. Xavi, crossed to Pedro on the right. Messi made a run taking the defence with him and created the space for Pedro to put the ball past Van der Sar. Well worked goal, but the lead did not last long as Rooney and Giggs (who looked offside when the ball was played) worked a well weighted 1-2 that led to a wonderful first time shot from Rooney that left the keeper no chance.

The rest of the afternoon was all about Barcelona and following the script Messi was in the middle of nearly everything. Inevitably he scored, ten minutes after the break he picked up a square pass from Iniesta, a couple of touches put him clear in the middle of the penalty area and calmly shot across his body to put United down 2-1 and that was it.

Messi worked hard, perhaps his biggest contribution was to stretch United’s defence every time he had the ball, opening space for others to make use of. This space gave David Villa the opportunity to make it 3-1.

The rest of the game was more the same with Barcelona making United’s play look very basic at times. This was a final graced by two good teams, it’s just one was so much better than the other. Barcelona play a beautiful possession style with imagination, and the final was a great advert for the game.

Seattle was playing in Salt Lake last night and I joined a few others at the Irishman in Everett.

Real Salt Lake had not been defeated at home for over two years and have only given up a couple of goals this year. The game was played in the rain, I’m not sure Seattle have had a fully dry game so far this year. Sigi changed a few things around. Montero did not start. Sigi said it was down to his lack of production, he’s being paid to score and has not been troubling opposing keepers over the last few weeks.

It was not a pretty game, and as ever Seattle did it the hard way. Salt Lake are a very defensive side and as Seattle misses Zakuani, they certainly miss Javier Morales who had his ankle broken a few weeks ago.

The game was very stale until almost an hour in when defender Jamison Olave was dismissed for fouling forward Mike Fucito on a clear scoring chance. Fucito pulled a great move to spin Olave around an create a chance for himself. The Salt Lake defender had no real choice but to bring him down and there was no question about the sending off. Up to that point Olave had been very effective in shutting Jaqua and Fucito down.

Seattle had a lot of luck tonight. Keller had to have a great game to keep them in it, including a top drawer reaction tip onto the crossbar from a Will Johnson shot.

The first goal came from Patrick Ianni, he managed to get the tap in during a goal mouth scramble from a Wahl corner. Over the last few games Seattle have looked better on set pieces than they did previously and it paid off tonight.

With 7 minutes to play Lamar Neagle made it 2-0 and scored his first league goal with a beautiful curling shot into the top corner. It gave RSL keeper Rimaldo no chance. Again Wahl was the provider, this time from open play.

Seattle did not do it the easy was as the home side were relentless for he last ten minutes. They pulled a goal back through Nelson Gonzalez and forced a number of good stops from Keller and his defence in injury time to hold onto the three points. This was a good win, Seattle is still not firing on all cylinders, there is no question they miss the speed of Zakuani and OBW, but this was a step in the right direction. Fucito has stepped up and is fun to watch.

At the other end Keller is making his defence look better than they are. As a unit they are failing to shut down teams, a lesser keeper would struggle. They are going to miss him next year.

I was not able to go to the Sounders-Colorado game at Qwest tonight, work got in the way of those plans. It was interesting to sit here listening to Arlo White calling an OK Sounder performance while tapping away on my laptop. Evens looked sharp initially, if he plays like this I can see why Sigi is so high on him. Montero finally got onto the scorecard with a brace and set up the JK Hurtardo for the first goal with a well placed free kick. New boys White and Friberg both played a part in Montero’s goals.

A little worry over Zakuani and Evans maybe picking up injuries, hopefully neither is nothing serious. A solid performance, but it gets serious now.

A lot to be positive about tonight in Sounderland, would have been nice to be there to watch the champions take on the cup holders. A trip to South Carolina may put paid to the home opener and I’m not happy about that prospect. I’m trying to get out of it, but stuff like that happens on this program.

In the champions League Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side came out with a game plan and executed flawlessly against AC Milan tonight at White Heart Lane. Spurs were defending a 1-0 lead earned on a memorable night in the San Siro three weeks ago.

Milans tactics were predicable, they had to take the game to Tottenham and be more adventurous than they were in the first leg. And they did just that, they played well, had a good passing game and Clarence Seedorf (who I think played when I saw Ajax in 1995) looked especially sharp and was very effective in spreading the ball around.

There are huge risks to sitting back and absorbing pressure and Milan had a couple of decent chances, the last one falling to Robinho in injury time. It’s a testament to Redknapp and Tottenham that they really had the measure of the Italian Champions tonight.

With the job done and Tottenham in the draw for the quarter finals they can feel good about where they are. It would be easy to be awed by playing a side with the heritage and players of AC Milan, but they were not and that’s a testament to Redknapp and his style.  Tottenham have proved they have the discipline and ability to alter heir game to match the circumstances.

It may be the London clubs first run in the champions league, but they played like they belonged there and there is no one they should be afraid of at this point.

I believe any side that wants to win this tournament is going to have to meet Barcelona at some point, clearly they are the best team in Europe once again. But last year Inter showed even the Catalonians they can be beaten. The final is at Wembley in May, dare we hope of an all London final? Imagine the atmosphere at a Tottenham verses Chelsea final.

Last year when Arsenal came to the Camp Nou in the Champions League quarter finals they got hammered, they were taken apart by a great Barcelona performance. This time was different, the stats show that Barcelona outclasses the London team, and that was not the reality.

The pain may be greater because with 30 minutes left to play in the tie Arsenal held a 3-2 aggregate lead when disaster struck. Robin van Persie was sent off for the softest red card I think I’ve ever seen. He played the ball through after the whistle had gone and was got his second booking for the game.

Arsenal missed van Persie last weekend in the rather uneventful 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the weekend and against Barcelona, down such an important player I think it’s fair to say this really did change the game.

The brutal truth is Arsenal did not pose much of a threat, but none the less they were in this game until the last 30 minutes. It’s been a tough 10 days for Wenger’s team, loosing to Birmingham in the Carling Cup, failing to take what most people saw as a must win game against Sunderland and now being knocked out the champions league.

The big games keep coming, as next weekend is the FA Cup quarter final against Manchester United.

Three weeks ago the first leg of this game produced a fantastic game of football. Tonight was different, Barcelona came out to do a job and clearly showed Arsenal more respect and played a tactically a very different game. They played with control and dominated possession; at the Emirates they played with more flair, played further forward and gave Arsenal space to work in.

Tonight they took that space away, denied the visitors the ball and showed why they are week-in, week-out the best team in the world. Barcelona knew what they had to do and executed perfectly. They were good when they needed to be, controlled the rest of the time and the 3-1 score line is reflective of the level they played at.

There were early defeats in the group stage that mean Arsenal ended up facing one of the group winners. This is a good Arsenal team and they play some very attractive football. They still have a chance in the Premier League and the FA cup and there are moments where they look like a different team (going from 4-0 up to 4-4 with Newcastle a few weeks ago), but when they play well they can beat anyone.

The FA Cup game at United is live on Saturday, it’s has the makings of a great game of football. Then of course next Tuesday is the opening game of the Sounders season.

Look down the fixture list of any football club (actually any sports team) and there are big games. The games against Portland and Vancouver stand out for the Sounders this year. I think the Houston games have a little extra bite to them.

These are the games you put a little asterisk against and make sure nothing else is going on that day.

Then there are the massive games, these are the ones matter to the fans of the game rather than just fans of the team. Titans clash and there is something on the line.

These you plan your entire week around, anticipate, think about, and obsess. These are the huge nights. This week there has been a couple of these massive games in the UEFA Champions League.

Last night was Tottenham in the San Siro. Before the game Spurs manager (and ex Sounders player and manager) Harry Redknapp engaged in a few mind games. He said “we will have a right go” and Harry was true to his word. They took the game to Milan from the first minute and at half time they were right to feel they had held their own against the reigning European and world club champions.

This performance and result was proof that this Spurs side not only belongs at this level but if they raise their game like this deserve to be regarded as genuine contenders. To provide a little perspective, this was the current champions (and Serie A leaders) and they were comprehensively beaten in their own stadium.

Tottenham came with a plan and executed wonderfully, but with a lot of discipline, especially at the back. They soaked up huge amounts of pressure and pressed forward quickly when given a break. As for the goal, it was made by Aaron Lennon’s wonderful run, the defender came out to stop him and Lennon made sure he missed. Crouch’s positioning was perfect, the keeper could not cover both players and the finish was made to look easy.

Harry Redknap knows the job is not done. They have to defend the lead at White Hart Lane, but Spurs have given themselves a wonderful chance to go through to the last eight, and there is no one they should be scared of.

Tonight was Barcelona playing Arsenal in London. Last year these teams met in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and we were treated to 30 minutes of Barcelona putting on a clinic, they played maybe the best football I’ve ever seen. I was in Guildford and watched the game sitting with dad. We both sat there in silence, just astounded by how good this team was.

I’ve watched Arsenal play a few times this year and they are a very attractive team to watch, they play a beautiful passing game and Arsene Wenger knows how to win games. This had the makings of a great game, two sides that play the game the way it’s supposed to be. And it delivered.

Before this match there were a lot of idea put around about how to beat this Barcelona side. Some said play a more physical game; others said play them tight and take away space. Last year in this fixture it did look like Arsenal gave Barcelona too much space and respect.

That never happened this time, they pressured every time Barcelona had the ball. It seemed to work for a time and there were times the Spanish leaders were forced to hoof the ball clear. Very uncharacteristic and a sign that Arsenals tactics were working.

Arsenals tactics did lead to the Barcelona goal, the midfield pushed up, was unable to close them down and gave David Villa the space to finish. As the first half wore on Barcelona did seem to play better and better, by the break Barcelona did look somewhat in control and were moving the ball around well.

Wenger did seem to change things a little at half time, they ran at them a little more and the defenders were caught high a couple of times.

The home side definitely had better chances as the game wore on, with a high back four when Barcelona were caught on the break they did look venerable to pace through the channels and a number of decent chances came to both sides, but as the game went on Arsenal looked the more composed side and adsorbed the pressure well.

Van Persie scored the equalizer. He did well to get onto a ball through played through the back four and did well to beat the keeper on the near post from a tight angle. The winner was a classic Arsenal end-to-end counter attack. The Barcelona attack broke down and the ball went from Nasri to Arshavin who hit a beautifully controlled shot past the keeper.

The game was as good as I’d hoped, both sides played their part and Arsenal found a way to press Barcelona and used their pace to get behind the defense. Barcelona had moments of dominance, but were unable to really break the defenders down constantly.

These games set up a pair of fascinating ties in three weeks time at the Camp Nou, and White Hart Lane, and that’s another two massive games for fans of the game.

Sunday was a disappointing defeat and not the way we hoped the season would. Bottom line is Seattle just were not as good as LA over the two games. Galaxy did a great job of controlling the midfield and forcing Zakuani inside and taking away the speed down the outside that has worked so well over the last couple of months.

Seattle were beaten by the best team in the league this year, both sides had chances; the difference was LA put them away. LA were aided by some poor defending on set pieces, Beckhams precision deliveries and as is typical with any Bruce Arena coached teams, they were a very disciplined and well drilled team. The Seattle back four seemed to struggle adjusting to players with speed coming across the penalty area, I think the loss of Parke was felt, especially by Ilani

It’s been a great season no matter how you look at it. Qualifying for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, retaining the Open Cup (best moment of the year for me), beating last years points total and of course the others that have made the atmosphere in RBP second to none in this league.

Most supporters get this is a business for those in change, but fans don’t support businesses. They support clubs and the ownership has done the right things to make it a feel like a club that the fans are an organic part of.

The first half of the year was a little rough (the World Cup and Englands performance did not help me feeling positive either), but Sigi and the owners did what they had to do to make this team competitive in the second half. Ownership has set clear expectations for performance on the pitch and I believe that if the right player were to come along (or Montero, or perhaps Zakuani) the money would be available to bring them in as the third DP.

There are two big questions hanging over this club and the current squad. First is the expansion draft in a couple of weeks. The team gets to protect 10 players and a further player should they loose one to either of the two expansion team. Last year there was something of an outcry as James Riley was left unprotected, but Philadelphia went with Seb La Toux, who had a great year in their system and really showed the quality we’d seen at the USL level in 07 and 08.

So in the expansion draft the team is going to loose at least one, possibly two players as Portland and Vancouver build their squads.

Zakuani puts it wide against Toronto

Second is the status of the top players. Montero and Zakuani are both on the radar screen of European clubs and I’d not be surprised if at least one is gone in the transfer window in January.

There is a not a lot of transparency around contracts in this league, I don’t think anyone on the outside really knows Montero’s contract status, there are a couple of groups that own his rights, including (I believe) the Sounders in some way. I’ve said before and still think he’s got the potential to be a superstar in this game. That means Europe, and probably January, next summer at the latest.

Montero has been vague and made no commitments to next year with Seattle. Zakuani has made similar “wait and see what happens” noises.

Zakuani has a huge upside, there are is a dearth of fast left-sided players in England right now and his speed would give him a lot of value there. He’s made a good name for himself and the British press has mentioned him a couple of times, even once linking him to Capello and the national squad.

Loosing both these players would be a huge blow for Seattle, it may mean letting one go and offering the other enough money through the third DP tag (assuming Fernandez is a DP next year rather than just a squad player, again little transparency on the contract thing).

Kasey clapclap Keller

On the bright side Keller has been clear he wants to be back for one more year, I assume that can be done fairly easily.  I think both Nfuko and Fernandez are under contract to the sounders for next year.

Lastly for today, Sigi, mid year one or two lone voices were calling for his replacement, he has proven to be one of the best coaches in the league. He said last week “I love it here,” he said. “I love the city. I love the team. I love my ownership group. I love the fans. I don’t mean to be redundant, but that’s how I feel. For me this is a place to stay and finish and coach for a long, long time.”

Thanks for a fun year at RBP, it’s been awesome.

Not a pretty game at times, Seattle was already eliminated from advancing any further in the CONCACAF Champions League. Saprissa still controlled their destiny and would advance to the last 8 with a win tonight.

Sounders largely played their reserves tonight. Terry Boss apparently picked up an injury shortly before the game and Keller started in goal. Keller was among those who did not have a good night.

A beautiful Seattle night

First the positives, Seattle look solid down the middle; they have depth in both defence and midfield. Tyrone Marshal, Alvaro Fernandez and Taylor Graham all looked good today.

Nate Jaqua had a decent game; he had little support, but did well playing as a classic, physical centre forward and was a clear presence in the box. Created a couple of good chances and his positioning on the Seattle goal was excellent.

There has to be some not so good. Miguel Montano is a long way from the finished article and clearly not ready to start. He played 30 minutes tonight and while fast need to be more disciplined with the ball. Also took a dumb yellow card for diving.

For all the depth in defence and the middle of the field, they looked awfully short of creative options up front. Levesque and Estrada did not have good games. Neither player seemed to have a first touch worth the name and when it got really chippy with lots of pushing in the Saprissa box neither could do anything when they got the ball. Very disappointing.

Lastly was the execution on set pieces, free kicks especially were particularly bad this evening. Nothing more to say, other then Nyassi and Montero were missed.

Seattle had the best of the play in the first half and deserved their goal. A well-taken chance by Fernandez just inside the box that was stopped, the rebound fell to Jaqua who finished well.

The goal came a few minutes after a huge scramble in front of the Saprissa goal. The ball ended up in the back of the net, but somewhere in the scramble the referee saw an infringement and did not give the goal.

Saprissa looked dangerous on the break and  equalized a few minutes after Seattle went ahead, an awful goal to concede too. The ball was behind the defence and there seemed to be a miscommunication between Keller and Scott, neither went for the loose ball and it needed up as an easy tap in for the impressive looking Jairo Arrieta.

The last time we will see the subtle and understated third kit this year.

After the break the game degenerated with some rather physical play from both sides. Seattle seemed to be on the receiving end of the more blatant stuff and the card kept on coming out. Inevitable someone was going to get booked a second time and it was a Saprissa player sent off for a second yellow.

The sending off was just after the second Saprissa goal. The score came with only a couple of minutes left in regulation and it was totally on Keller, the ball just slipped through his hands. I’m sure he’d like to have another chance at that.

It was a beautiful October night in Seattle and the game attracted a decent crowd of over 11.000. The game was entertaining at times, very frustrating at others. Saprissa needed a win and had a little luck tonight in getting it.

Overall results in this competition have been disappointing. Seattle have played six, won one, lost five. It looked like a tough group when it was drawn with both Monterry and Saprissa. Two clubs with lots of success in this tournament. It turned out to be a very tough group, but Seattle will be back next year, a little more experienced and hopefully a little more successful.

Seattle had what was best called a functional performance in the 2-1 win over Western conference side Colorado. This continued the run of good results over the last couple of weeks and is threatening to turn into an actual run up the table. Seven points from the last 9 on offer, and a semi-final place in the Open cup and there are reasons for this emerging confidence from what’s been a poor year up to now.

New signing Blaise Nkufo warming up

Seattle played a solid game on Sunday against Colorado. The defence was faced with a very physical attack led by Conner Casey, Pat Iaani and Jeff Parke responded in kind and with the exception of the goal did a good job at the back.

The Colorado was well taken; Casey sent Parke the wrong way and finished with a shot that gave Keller no chance. During the second half Seattle soaked up a lot of pressure and a couple of great saves from Keller preserved the win for Seattle. This was another step in the correct direction, Seattle has been in this position before, defending a late lead, and given the game away in the last few minutes of the game.

Another big night under the lights

It’s difficult to say Seattle is a better team with out Ljungberg in the line up, especially on the form he showed last season, but they seem somehow to be a more complete team.

There are a few positive signs and the team seems to be heading into the correct direction.

Sounders 2, Rapids 1

Wednesday night and it’s time for the first CONCACAF Champions League game. The sounders have been pushing the Wednesday night game with the slogan “There are times for friendlies, this is not one of them”. Most football fans know of the European Champions League, the best clubs in Europe battle it out for glory (a considerable pot of money) and a place in the World Club Championship.

This is north and Central America’s version, the winner goes to the World Club Championship for a go at the ultimate club title.

Seattle plays it’s first leg against Metapan, the El Salvadorian champions, the winner of this tie goes into the group stage for another 6 games against Central American sides.

It will be a chance to have a look at a different style of football, in places like El Salvador the passion for the game runs deep, but the money to develop and compete is scarce.

Metapan are no easy win, especially as Seattle has to travel to El Salvador next week for the second leg of the tie. They have won the local league four times in the last 7 years, have a number of players with international experience in the squad and have played on this stage before.

Last year they made it to the group stages of the champion’s league and posted a win over Houston during the competition. I don’t think this is a team the Sounders can take lightly. The big player is midfielder Paolo Suarez. The name may be familiar as he’s the elder brother of Luis Suarez, who stopped a certain goal with his hand during the Uruguay – Ghana game at the World Cup Finals.

Ultimately I think Seattle should be able to use their speed, fitness (Metapan are about to start their season) and tactical discipline to move into the knock out stages where some big games await. This is when the real fun should begin.

Liverpool are not having a good year and tonight they were knocked out of the Champions League. It’s the first time since Benitez arrived in 2004 that the team has failed to make the knock out stages.

Liverpool were in a position where they needed other teams results to start going their way. They had to win and Fiorentina needed to drop points to Lyon. Liverpool beat Debrecen 1-0 in Budapest, however the Italian club beat Lyon by the same score.

The board has given him a vote of confidence and like the players, publicly state are fully behind the manager.

Saturday they play away at Everton in the first of the Liverpool derbys this year, while it’s not a must win game, they are 13 points behind the leaders and 6 points away from a place in the Champions League next year.

They need to start winning, clearly the Premier League is beyond them once again. I find it staggering that it’s been almost 20 years since the mighty reds last won the title. They were the team to beat in the 70’s and 80’s and at their height under Bob Paisley were possibly the best club side Europe has ever seen.

Real Madrid with Puskas or Liverpool with Dalglesh, two teams that were technically superior to anyone else. It would have been something to see.

As with every other failure in European Football there are significant financial implications. Making it into the first round of the knock out phase was worth maybe $4 Million, going al the way to the final was worth an estimated $70-80 to Barcelona last year. Again the sums money being thrown around is just staggering.