Last night the Seattle Sounders
FC won the MLS Cup over Toronto FC on PKs in front of a sold-out crowd in Toronto.
The Sounders seemed to be at a disadvantage the entire season with the loss of Obafemi Martins before the season started, coach Sigi Schmid was let go mid-season and then in September Clint Dempsey was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to heart problems. Toss in a playoff schedule that had Seattle playing away games against the top two teams in the MLS (FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids) and the deck was definitely stacked against them. Playing in Toronto where the weather was bitter cold, 10-degrees (F) at kickoff did not help.
The Sounders have been in the playoffs 8 of their 9 MLS seasons, they have won the US Open Cup four times, the Supporters Shield once and they have been to the Conference Finals twice before this season so they are a proven winner but have never made it over the hump to make it in to the championship game and last night’s game was ugly but they came out with the win none-the-less.
The Sounders seemed to be at a disadvantage the entire season with the loss of Obafemi Martins before the season started, coach Sigi Schmid was let go mid-season and then in September Clint Dempsey was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to heart problems. Toss in a playoff schedule that had Seattle playing away games against the top two teams in the MLS (FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids) and the deck was definitely stacked against them. Playing in Toronto where the weather was bitter cold, 10-degrees (F) at kickoff did not help.
The Sounders have been in the playoffs 8 of their 9 MLS seasons, they have won the US Open Cup four times, the Supporters Shield once and they have been to the Conference Finals twice before this season so they are a proven winner but have never made it over the hump to make it in to the championship game and last night’s game was ugly but they came out with the win none-the-less.
When I say ugly I mean
ugly like they did not register a shot on goal during the 90 minutes of regular
time or the additional 30 minutes of extra time. It came down to penalty kicks,
which they won 5-4 and the title.
The only reason the Sounders won was because of the amazing play by goalie Stefan Frei who had a record seven saves on the shutout. He basically became a stone wall and his amazing save in extra time on a shot by Jozy Altidore should be considered the best save of the season. Because of his awesome array of stops Frei won the Finals MVP Award.
The only reason the Sounders won was because of the amazing play by goalie Stefan Frei who had a record seven saves on the shutout. He basically became a stone wall and his amazing save in extra time on a shot by Jozy Altidore should be considered the best save of the season. Because of his awesome array of stops Frei won the Finals MVP Award.
I don't follow soccer at all, but with Seattle winning this year and Portland winning last year, it would be nice to think that the Pacific Northwest might be the new dominant region for the sport.
ReplyDeleteVancouver needs to step it up
DeleteIt was definitely an entertaining match. Frei was incredible. That game definitely could have ended up 5-0 Toronto.
ReplyDeletethat was nasty... what an undeserving win.
ReplyDeletebut no one will remember that six months from now....
This win is tainted to me because it was undeserved. They played poorly except for Frei and Toronto had the upper edge the entire game.
DeleteDidn't get to see the game... but I watched the penalty kicks. Very exciting. Congratulations Sounders fans!
ReplyDelete