MLS HAS A PROBLEM ON ITS HANDS
Before the game even started a joint statement was issues by supporters from both teams requesting that MLS rescind its ban on the Iron Front flag . The because league feels showing support for the flag which was used by an anti-Nazi organization in World War II-era symbol is a political statement.
The league’s stance is fans should be allowed to attend an MLS soccer game without political signage and enjoy the soccer game. The supporter’s groups believe the symbol should be allowed since it represents an opposition to fascism.
The league has stated the symbol can be worn on shirts and other apparel, but the waving of the flag is strictly prohibited. The issue has become so divisive that all sides are defending their stance against fascism. Truth be told this is about one privileged trying to say the other group is more privileged. A lot of talk but no substantive discussion about how to band together and stop fascism in the USA the Worldwide. And its the same old people saying the same old thing.
SCHMETZER PATIENCE PAYS OFF
Friday night’s 2-1 was a simple result of masterful coaching by head coach Brian Schmetzer. Actually, it’s what Schmetzer did leading up to the game that borne fruition during the game. The Sounders were 1-3-3 in their last six games. That is one win, three draws and three loses. In that six-game span the Sounders had given up 13 goals and scored eight. Keep in mind one of the three losses was a 2-1 buzz kill loss to the Timbers at CenturyLink Field on July 21st.
Thought the draught Schmetzer never lost confidence in his players ability to play defense. Disappointed yes but no loss of trust.
Against the Timbers on Friday night the Sounders were patient in overcoming a high Timbers press that kept them from establishing possession. The Sounders patience paid off in the 22nd minute when Cristian Roldan pounced on deflected pass by Jordan Morris for the 1-0 lead.
SOUNDERS DOUBLE LEAD
Raul Ruidiaz doubled the Sounders lead with a sitter of a goal just after the restart on another dangerous pass by Morris. The Timbers halved the Sounders lead in the 54th minute when Diego Valeri’s free kick from the 18th yard line deflected off Seattle’s defensive wall and into the back of the Sounders net.
UNITED DEFENSIVE FRONT
With an amped crowd that brought some pep to the Timbers step the Sounders played smart disciplined team defense and were able to weather the storm and record their first win in over a month. A win that was well deserved due to the unwavering commitment to playing team defense. The Sounders communicated , covered for each other and had some one in front of the ball slowing down the Timbers high octane counter attack.
GAME NOTES
- With Friday’s result, Sounders FC sits in second place in the Western Conference with 43 points (12-8-7). Seattle is now 18 points behind Supporters’ Shield-leading LAFC and one point ahead of third-place Minnesota United FC.
- Friday’s victory won the 2019 Cascadia Cup for Seattle, marking the first time the club has secured back-to-back Cascadia Cup victories in more than a decade, with Seattle having earned last year’s regional trophy that is contested by Sounders FC, Portland and Vancouver each season. Seattle last won consecutive Cascadia Cups in 2006 and 2007 in the club’s USL era.
- Seattle now owns a 53-40-14 mark against Portland across all competitions dating back to 1975. Tonight marked SoundersFC’s first back-to-back MLS regular season wins in Portland after beating the Timbers 1-0 on August 26, 2018.
- Ruidíaz scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season, matching his total from the 2018 campaign. Including playoffs, he has now tallied five goals in his last four matches against Portland. Ruidíaz’s assist was his second of 2019, surpassing his total of one last season.
- Roldan’s goal was his first since he scored in consecutive matches on May 4 at Minnesota and May 11 vs. Houston. He has four goals in 2019, matching the second-highest single-season total of his career, behind only his six in 2017.
- Morris has now recorded three goals and three assists in his last six games. His assist tonight was his career-high fifth of the season, besting his previous high of four that he recorded in his rookie season of 2016. Morris is now tied for second on the team in assists and he ranks second in goals with seven.
