Sounders Insider

Updates on news, views and developments of the South Sound soccer scene.

Contributors:

Don Ruiz joined The News Tribune in 1988 and has been covering sports since 1999. He is a long-time recreational soccer player and has covered the 1999 Women's World Cup championship game and a variety of international, national and local soccer matches. E-mail Don.

Jon Billings is the director of communications for the Tacoma Tide. He'll be providing news, notes and updates on the Tide. E-mail Jon.

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The News Tribune's soccer blog
Friday, May 29th, 2009
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 08:35:38 pm

Here's the game report. (I don't want to give too much away for those who taped it, but I will say this: I hope your tape started right on time.)

And as I mentioned in my preview post, both sides are of special interest to Sounders fans, as Chelsea will play in Seattle on July 18, while Everton will meet the MLS all-stars July 29 at Sandy, Utah.

=> Read more!

Posted by Don Ruiz @ 02:25:11 pm

One of Sigi Schmid' many charms is his ability to give nice clean clear scouting reports of each week's opponents.

He did again today, starting with a little joke:

"Whoever put that team together originally did a good job."

The joke, of course, is that Schmid was the guy who put most of this team together.

But that also makes his scouting report all the more interesting, because few people know this roster better than he does.

"They’re a good team," he said. "They haven’t always gotten the results that they wanted this year, but they’re a dangerous team. There’s good speed on the flanks with (Emmanuel) Ekpo and (Robbie) Rogers. Schelotto is Guillermo -- he’s a player who lives for big games, lives for big moments. When he comes on the field he’ll be motivated – he’s a big game player. (Alejandro) Moreno plays very very hard. Those front four you’ve got to be concerned about. Their midfield right now is in a little bit of flux with (Brian) Carroll being hurt, but they have enough bodies there. Chad Marshall is very very dangerous on set pieces, so we’ve got to be aware of that as well."

As for Schmid's current team, the coach said his Sounders are getting healthier.
It looks like Freddie Ljungberg is ready. Brad Evans seems about 50-50. And Osvaldo Alonso is out.

However, Schmid indicated that any openings at midfield might not be solved simply by moving in another midfielder such as Pete Vagenas or Stephen King, as he suggested that defenders Nathan Sturgis or Patrick Ianni might be moved forward, thereby creating another opening to be filled on the back line.

Good as Schmid is at scouting reports, he's at least as good at keeping his lineups secrets.

Posted by Don Ruiz @ 09:25:21 am

I'm about to head out to Sounders training, and might pick up a news item or two there.

Meanwhile, here's an early look at tomorrow's game against the Columbus Crew.

COLUMBUS CREW (2-2-6; 10 pts.)
AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (4-2-4; 16 pts.)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Qwest Field.
TV: FSC/FSE.
Radio: 97.3 FM, and in Spanish on 1210 AM.
Head to head:
This is the first meeting. The Sounders will visit Columbus on Oct. 3.
Statistical leaders: For Columbus, G 6 Guillermo Barros Schelotto; A Emmanuel Ekpo; Sh 19 Schelotto/Ekpo; SOG 10 Eddie Gaven. For Seattle, G 4 Fredy Montero; A 4 Nate Jaqua; Sh 25 Montero; SOG 8 Steve Zakuani.
Notes: Columbus is the defending MLS Cup and Supporters Shield champion, a double won last season under Schmid. … Seattle has played four straight league draws, while Columbus has won two of its last three and hasn’t lost since April 5. … Schelotto, who won the league MVP award last season, is tied for the league lead in goals. Seattle’s Kasey Keller has moved back into the MLS goalkeeping lead, with a 0.60 goals-against average. … Both teams have scored 14 goals. However, Columbus has allowed 16, twice as many as Seattle. The Sounders (9) and Columbus (8) are 1-2 in MLS in first-half goals. … The Crew will be without midfielder Brian Carroll, who suffered a shoulder injury in Columbus’ win over San Jose on Wednesday. … Seattle may welcome back midfielders Freddie Ljungberg (migraines) and Brad Evans (ankle). … Seattle is 3-1-1 at home, Columbus is 0-2-3 on the road. … The game is sold out.
Next: 7:30 p.m. June 6, at Chivas USA; Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.; KING 5.

Categories: Major League Soccer