Montero rules the day!

A dominating performance from the Sounders, and a great performance from forward Freddy Montero. 3-0 was the final, and you can’t ask for more. The defense kept a clean sheet in front of Keller, who did mwell when called upon. However, it was the almost flawless play of Cuban midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. In fact, Prost Amerika named him man of the match AHEAD of Montero, although it was very close, so I won’t pick out a winner of the two. In fact, for all his breaking up of plays and starting attacks, he only had one stray pass off the top of my mind, and to do that in a league like MLS is truly remarkable. However, we must not get carried away: New York were very poor for 90 minutes, and we can’t take anything for granted whenever we face them next, as at least 3 starters were not in their lineup on Thursday. Yet today is a day of celebration. By now, everyone in Seattle, and indeed the American soccer landscape, will have heard the masterful game that Montero had. And what could be said of the crowd. Amazing atmosphere, and for one period in the 2nd half where Keller made a few saves, it was truly deafening. Certainly the turf of Quest Field took a back seat to an occasion as great as this. Next up is Real Salt Lakes, who will provide a much sterner test as many MLS pundits mark them out as a team ready to step it up. The back line of Scott, Hurtado, Marshall, and Riley did a great job, and with the signing of Jeff Parke more and more likely, you have to consider this a real play-off contender. This week one to truly savour, as soccer has finally returned to become the top of the seattle sport landscape. Well done lads. 

 

ps, TIAS had a very interesting tweet-  the Sounders trotted out a lineup that featured 6 internationals and 5 Americans, which is very promising although the only person with an outside chance of making the US World Cup roster, Jaqua, dissapointed yesterday.