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Deuces wild as Dempsey Hat-Trick leads Seattle to 3-1 win over Orlando

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ND4_8518While a game does not make a season, a string of positive game by game results can change a season. For Seattle Sounders FC (9 7-12-3, 24 points), the hope is that Sundays Clint Dempsey led 3-1 win over Orlando City ( 5-6-11, 26 point) is the beginning of the blue print to turning its season around with a late season playoff run.

After parting ways with the franchises only coach, interim coach Brian Schmetzer was given the keys to the car with the mission to jump start a team that had been underperforming in scoring and playing good fundamental soccer from the backline to the front line. Schmetzer’s first test drive was last weeks disappointing 1-1 home draw to the LA Galaxy . The game was disappointing for the Rave Green because they dominated play , gave up a late goal and had to settle for the one point.

During the teams practice sessions this week, Schmetzer stressed a team effort in which all players played both offense and defense and more creative play in the middle of the field.

During Sunday’s match against Orlando, the creative play of newly signed Designated Player Nicolas Lodeiro, Christian Roldan and Osvaldo Alonso was instrumental in Clint Dempsey netting his second career hat-trick.

After giving up a seventh minute goal to Seb Hines on a corner kick, Seattle regrouped and showed great team spirit by wining the midfield possession battle due Lodeiro’s ability to hold on to the ball once the Sounders stripped it from Orlando City.

With Seattle holding on to the ball, Orlando committed defenders in the middle of the field and that left the flanks open which Seattle exploited by sending full back fullbacks Tyrone Mears and Joevin Jones on runs to the open spaces.

The strategy to spread the Orlando City defense paid dividend in the 14th minute when Lodeiro hit an onrushing Mears who then squared a cross for Dempsey’s first of three goals.

“He’s a quality player. It helps in the attacking third being able to keep possession, being able to find people that are running up the ball you can see that when he found Tyrone [Mears] on the first goal with the great ball in,” Dempsey said after the game.

“Also Christian [Roldan] with the great ball over the top to Jordan [Morris] who played awesome tonight. Thought he could have had five assists tonight. Was really unselfish and caused them a lot of problems but like I said I thought it was a great overall performance from the team and we’re happy to have Lodeiro to bring that little more of that bite.”

Seattle continued its dominance in the middle of the field and the result was a Cristina Roldan through ball to Jordan Morris who once again found an open Dempsey for his second goal of the game just before halftime to give the visitors the 2-1 lead.

The Dempsey hat-trick was completed three minutes into the second half when Lodeiro slid a slide rule pass to Morris who once again set up Dempsey for a tap in and the 3-1 lead.

For Seattle Sounder Captain Brad Evans, the win was a confidence booster that must be followed up with more positive results.

“We’ve got to put our head down and work, number one. We’re still second from bottom so no one is cheering. The ship hasn’t been righted just yet, we have to keep climbing and working. But like I said we can get two results with a midweek game we can start climbing the ladder. We get this group back tomorrow morning and back at training on Tuesday.

This is a group that wants to be out there right now and get better and learn the system and everything that comes with a new coach. They want to be together right now so that’s massive for us.”

Morris and Lodeiro each recorded two assists during the game while Dempsey’s three goals gives him six goal for the year. Morris still leads the team with seven goals.

Sunday win was Seattle’s second road win of the season and snapped Orlando City’s 17-match home unbeaten streak.

 

 

Sounders FC get their playmaker

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Ladeiro arrives at Sea Tac airportA day after parting ways with their coach, the Seattle Sounders FC announced Wednesday morning the signing of Uruguayan National Team player and midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro as the club’s newest Designated Player.

The skillful midfielder comes to Seattle from Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors of the  Argentine Primera División . The club is one the top clubs in the league and well know in the soccer community world wide. Lodeiro has participated in two FIFA World Cup campaigns with the Uruguayan National Team and most recently represented his country during this summers Copa America Centenario tournament in the United States.

“We have doggedly pursued our top target, Nicolás Lodeiro, for the past several months and we are delighted our persistence finally paid off with his signing. We were willing to wait for Nico because we believe in his character off the field as well as his abilities on it,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey in the team press release.

Lodeiro has the potential to transform the morbid Sounder offense. Every highly proficient scoring offense in soccer is able to control the middle of the field with surgical like precision. Having the ball is one of the most important facets, but more importantly  its what you do with it. Having the ball and spinning your wheels in the middle of the field leads to winning the possession battle but not much of anything else. The forwards stand around waiting for the ball resulting in a stagnant offense defenders can easily defend.

Having the ball in the middle of the field with intent and purpose leads to goals and more times than not leads to wins. Defenders have to make intelligent decision on wether to stay with their man, follow him if he is running at them or guard the space in front of goal. Having a proficient ball handler like Lodeiro who can run at defenses in the middle of the field only adds to a defenders monstrous task.

” This is a posesssion based signing that will help us control the ball  and enable us to play  high level of soccer ,” Lagerwey said during the teams press conference introducing Lodeiro. “We needed some one in the middle of the who could help us achieve that goal.”

Notable players who have played for Boca Juniors include Diego Maradona, Carlos Tevez and Roman Riquelme.

After a three-match road swing across all competitions, Sounders FC concludes a packed month of July with its second full-stadium contest of the season at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, July 31. ESPN is broadcasting the match nationally at 1:00 p.m. PT, with KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM providing regional radio coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT.

 

Sounders FC and Sig Schmid part ways.

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Sounders FC Coach Sigi Schmid
Sounders FC Coach Sigi Schmid

The Seattle Sounders announced Tuesday morning  a mutual parting of the ways with  Sigi Schmid  the only coach the organization has had since its inception into the MLS. Like any said amicable divorce, the action always leaves more questions than answers. Some to be answered by those on the inside, some never to be told.

The business end of  the beautiful game is rarely clean and pretty. Every moment of brilliance on the field has a yang effect off the field, specifically the business operations side.

Schmid joined the Sounders with the sole purpose of capturing the MLS Championship despite the team being an expansion club. While there was no set time table the expectation was sooner than later. Given Schmid’s previous accomplishments , 2008  U.S. Open Cup and MLS Championship, 2002 MLS Championship with LA Galaxy the expectations seemed attainable in short amount of time.

Winning the 2009 U.S. Open Cup in its first try only added to the Sounders high expectations. While the Sounders kept on winning the expectations continued to increase and the 2014 heart break of winning the Supporters Shield, the U.S.Open Cup only to be denied a chance at the MLS Cup by the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference did nothing to quench the thirst

In 2015 the Sounders finished sixth in the Western Conference two points behind the Portland Timbers  and that sin looked to be forgiven when the Sounders  beat the Galaxy in the knockout round and advanced to the Conference Semi finals. A penalty shoot out loss to FC Dallas in the Semifinals and the Timbers winning the MLS Cup left the Rave Green nation parched.

The sudden departure of Obefami Martins before the teams first game to start the 2016 season, left Schmid in scramble mode regarding the best way to deal with the departure of the teams high scoring forward. Schmid and the Sounders were never able to physically or  psychological  overcome the loss. Reinforcements were to arrive in the summer signing of  Roman Torres, Adreas Ivanschitz and Nelson Valdez. Torres has been injured while Ivanschitz and Valez have been major under performers.

The downward spiral continued as the team was unable to score goals and the low point was last week when the Sounders lost 3-0 to Sporting Kansas City and had one shot in the game which came in the 87th minute and was not on goal.

“I’m proud of the success we’ve achieved in winning five major trophies in Seattle, qualifying for the postseason for seven-straight seasons. ” Schmid said at the Tuesday press conference. “My only disappointment is that we were unable to bring home an MLS Cup to our tremendous fans, who have always been supportive through good times and bad. In closing, I want to thank the Sounders FC organization, the club’s fans and the city of Seattle for this amazing run.”

A classy quote from a classy individual. And in turn the Sounders said all the right things regarding  Schmid.

“It’s been a privilege to work with a legend like Sigi and I’ve learned a lot from him. We thank him for his many years of excellent service to this club,” Sounders General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said.

Schmid’s teams captured 11 major titles, he was a two-time MLS Coach of the Year and was recently inducted into the  National Soccer Hall of Fame . Top assistant Brian Schmetzer will be the teams interim coach till the end of the season.

Sounders FC wither in 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City

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Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid

The Seattle Sounders (6-12-2 20pts) match against  Sporting Kansas City(9-10-4, 31pts) was always going to be an arduous one,  Sporting was back home looking for their third consecutive home win after losing two on the road. The Sounders were playing their third road game in a row having lost the previous two.

Sporting forward Dom Dwyer scored the first and last goals of the game with Jacob Peterson providing the knock out blow in first half stoppage time after Dwyer gave the home side the lead in the 21st minute. Dwyer’s second goal came in the 79th minute.

The Sounders effort in the disastrous 3-0 loss to Kansas City was disappointing, ineffective and futile. The Sounders had no corner kicks in the game  and managed  just one shot which was not on goal and the wayward stab came in the 87th minute. Sporting had seven corner kicks, 19th shots with six on goal. Yes it was that bad and safe to say the drubbing in Kansas City was the Sounders worst loss of the  season.

While the heat played a part in the match with the field temperature reaching 95- degrees resulting in water breaks in each half, the Sounders inability to  communicate with each other when playing team defense was perplexing, and downright inexcusable .

Sporting players made runs towards the listless Seattle backline resulting in space and time with the ball. Seattle midfielders were not on the same defensive page with the overwhelmed backline and the result was a long and difficult afternoon for Seattle goal keeper Stefan Frei who made some impressive saves to keep the score line at 3-0.

https://twitter.com/SoundersFC/status/757312993893822464

The loss leaves the Sounders 9th in the Western Conference, ten points out of a playoff spot  while Sporting KC moves into a two way tie with Real Salt Lake for fourth place in the conference. The Sounders will return to MLS  action next Sunday when they host the LA Galaxy.

 

Sounders FC at Sporting Kansas City in must win clash

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Sounders Joevin Jones tries to split the defenders
Sounders Joevin Jones tries to split the defenders

Normally the football term, the business end is used with about three to four weeks left in a soccer season. It is the last week of July and Seattle Sounders FC ( 6-11-2, 20 points) are at the business end of their schedule. So using the said premise ,the Sounders have about four weeks let in the season right? Note quite,t he Sounders last regular season game is scheduled for October 23rd. The Sounders business end of the football will begin Sunday  ( 12:00 p.m. PT) in Kansas City when the Rave Green will face off against Sporting KC ( 8-10-4, 28 points). The Rave Green are in cardiac arrest mode and in dire need of a double dose of the defibrillator machine to stabilize themselves. Translation, Sunday is a must, must, must  win game for Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid and his players.

http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2016/07/23/interview-sigi-schmid-teams-final-training-ahead-skc?autoplay=true

If the Sounders are to kick start their season in the Nationally televised game( ESPN), they will need to play smart, and cohesive soccer. The Sounders have lost their last two games, 4-2 at the LA Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal match and a 3-1 loss at the Portland Timbers in MLS play. In both road losses, the Sounders were unable to secure a victory after taking the lead. A perplexing paradox to say the least.

After dispelling of the, “inability to score demon,” the Sounders have found themselves, battling the, “what was I thinking demon.” The Sounders are giving it a full 89 minutes and unfortunately the game is played a minimum of 90 minutes with all 11 players on the same page. The backline will need to push up field when the opportunity is there but track back and have one of the midfield players stay back and help.

Sporting KC center-forward Dominic Dwyer leads the team with eight goals while midfielder Benny Felihaber is the top assist man with five assists. The two veterans spearhead a disciplined attack that can score goals by exploiting defensive weakness in the backline.

Seattle will be without midfielder lynchpin Osvaldo Alonso due to a yellow card accumulation and will look to the speed of Cristian Roldan to provide some pace and width along with midfielder mate Erik Friberg  who will try to win the possession battle in what will be a hot and humid afternoon. Clint Dempsey will return to the line up after missing the Portland game and could be the difference maker if he and Jordan Morris can click on some up front combination passes that lead to goals.

Sporting KC will be returning home after two consecutive 1-0 road losses. Sporting is 6-4-1 at home while the Sounders  are 1-6-2 on the road.

Sounders FC run roughshod over FC Dallas in 5-0 win

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Among those attending  the Seattle Sounders (6-10-2, 20pts) 5-0 win over FC Dallas(11-6-4, 37 points) had to be lady luck. How else can you explain the Sounders earning their first penalty kick of the season and one of the five goals bouncing off a FC Dallas defender and into the back of the Dallas goal?

Wednesday night’s match up between Seattle Sounders FC and FC Dallas had multiple storylines before the game started and the game its self added to the narrative. Dallas had beaten Seattle (2-0) earlier this season in Dallas and  the Hops came into Century Link Field on a three game winning streak and the Western Conference leaders.

Add the fact that the two teams had met the last two years in the Western Conference  Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs (Seattle won in 2014, Dallas in 2015) one can see there is no love lost between the two Western Conference foes.

While Seattle had been putting in a discipline and diligent collective effort all season, the ball had yet to bounce the Sounders way. Lady luck was not on the Sounders side until Wednesday night.

The Sounders were awarded their first penalty of the season four minutes into the match when Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa  was deemed to have touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area was given a red card and Dallas was down to ten men. Clint Dempsey made good on the spot kick and Sounders took the 1-0.

With the man advantage the Sounders pushed forward and scored their second goal of the game in the 18th minute when Osvaldo Alonso lofted a ball behind the Dallas backline that a streaking Andreas Ivanschitz was able to track down and chip it over Dallas goal keeper Seitz.

Seattle looked to have put the game out of reach when Clint Dempsey found an open Jordan Morris who blasted the ball for the lead.

As had been the case all season, nothing has come easy for the Sounders. Clint Dempsey was given a red card in the 33rd minute for hitting Dallas midfielder Juan Esteban Ortiz in the face. While Ortiz was give a yellow for his part, Dempsey had to leave the field and the teams played ten on ten.

The two sides played to a stale mate until the 62minute when Joevin Jones left footed shot from just outside the box deflected off Dallas defender Atiba Harris past a helpless Seitz for the 4-0 lead. Cristian Roldan sent the 41,101 Rave Green Nation into bedlam when his 73rd minute  header off a Andreas Ivanschitz cross made it 5-0.

” Obviously its different because we got a win,”  Sounders FC had coach Sigi Schmid said after the game. “It was great to get goals and we always felt that if we get a goal those flood gates would open up and they did today.”

While a game does not a season make, the emphatic win over a  conference rival, gives the Sounders some reason to believe going into Sundays Darby match against Cascadia Rivals Portland Timbers.