SB Nation Seattle - Monterrey Defeats Sounders 2-0 In CONCACAF Champions League Group Chttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2010-08-25T20:57:32-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14149552010-08-25T20:57:32-07:002010-08-25T20:57:32-07:00Final: Monterrey 2-0 Seattle
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Chance would be a fine thing?</p>
<p>No, the second half of the second half was full of chance after chance for Seattle, but the Sounders just couldn’t put the ball in the net.</p>
<p>Sigi Schmid made some choices that are interesting, to say the least, to those of us without the benefit of knowing exactly what is going on in the locker room and on field level. Nate Jaqua replaced Blaise Nkufo, who’d been one of the better players in the first half. Mike Seamon took the place of Nate Sturgis, which made a slight amount of sense, but the team would’ve benefited from having them both on the field and shifting Alvaro Fernandez up to play alongside Nkufo and Montero. Instead, minutes later Schmid took off El Flaco in favor of…wait for it…Roger Levesque.</p>
<p>Monterrey played a 4-3-3 formation that meant that the Sounders were almost instantly closed down the moment the ball went to the midfield. Even when the Sounders came close to goal, Monterrey had slowed the pace of the game enough to have plenty of men in front of their goal to stop Seattle.</p>
<p>The one time Seattle got the ball in the net, off a header by Jaqua, the linesman ruled the goal offside. Such was the luck of the night for the Sounders.</p>
<p>For the eternal optimists, if Seattle wins against the Fire on Saturday, we almost certainly have an <span class="caps">MLS</span> playoff spot. As for me, I’m going back to being a cynic. at least the disappointment doesn’t hurt as badly then.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651296/final-monterrey-2-0-seattleKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T20:22:19-07:002010-08-25T20:22:19-07:00Goalflash: Monterrey 2-0 Seattle
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>For a Sounders supporter, this match has been a torture exercise.</p>
<p>Sounder at Heart tells me that Seattle needs seven points at home to advance from the group. I don’t know they figure that, but with this scoreline, it won’t happen.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651255/goalflash-monterrey-2-0-seattleKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T20:18:41-07:002010-08-25T20:18:41-07:00Nate Jaqua Earns Seattle's First Yellow
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Nate Jaqua, who replaced Blaise Nkufo at the half, earned Seattle’s first yellow after being on the pitch seven minutes.</p>
<p>Sanna Nyassi hit the post to open the action of the first half.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651248/nate-jaqua-earns-seattles-firstKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T19:49:24-07:002010-08-25T19:49:24-07:00Goalflash: Monterrey 1-0 Sounders
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The entirety of the Sounders back line pushed way too far up the pitch, allowing Neri Cardozo plenty of space. Kasey Keller charged forward to meet him, but Cardozo simply went around and put the ball in the net.</p>
<p>Foolish play by Seattle.</p>
<p>Monterrey have earned two yellows thus far.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651209/goalflash-monterrey-1-0-soundersKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T19:32:07-07:002010-08-25T19:32:07-07:00FSC Have Once Again Shown Complete Disregard For Soccer Supporters
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The most popular soccer channel in the United States have failed once again—this is twice in three matches in which Sounders fans, and <span class="caps">CONCACAF</span> fans in general, have been denied the opportunity to watch a game live. However, <span class="caps">FSC</span> continues to display the “live” logo at the top of the screen, even when the match is more than 15 minutes behind.</p>
<p>I understand that the Cruz Azul-Real Salt Lake game went long due to the giant lake in the middle of the pitch. But there is no reason, none whatsoever, to insist upon showing a post-game show, and a pre-game of Seattle. Show a little clip that says “We join this program in progress” and give us the game on time.</p>
<p>Until then, I will be watching real-live on Telefutura. If you don’t have it, catch the action live, for free, on concacaf.com</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651177/fsc-have-once-again-shown-completeKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T19:01:30-07:002010-08-25T19:01:30-07:00Join the Game in Progress on Sounder At Heart
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Head on over to SB Nation’s Sounders blog to talk about the Rave Green.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/1651132/join-the-game-in-progress-onKirsten Schlewitz2010-08-25T17:00:17-07:002010-08-25T17:00:17-07:00Seattle Sounders Play Monterrey in CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7qdsgWJWQQ5zEwLPrG5Kt2hhNI=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828133/large_seattle.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Mexican club CF Monterrey are in Seattle tonight, getting ready to take on the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sounders</a> in the clubs' second match of Group C in the CONCACAF Champions League. Monterrey are the current holders of the Apertura title in La Primera División, but missed out on the CCL completely last year.</p>
<p>The Sounders are coming off a dispiriting loss to Marathón, in which their early lead was dismantled by the best international competition the club has seen so far. The 2-1 loss marked the first time the Sounders failed to win in tournament play.</p>
<p>But it's quite difficult, traveling to Central America, playing in front of a hostile crowd, dealing with CONCACAF referee-ing. Tonight CCL play will be at Qwest Field, in front of an estimated crowd of over 20,000 (which, while low for Seattle standards, will likely be one of the biggest tournament crowds the MLS has seen). Will home field advantage be enough to earn Seattle a point, and keep their hopes alive in Group C?</p>
<p>Remember: CONCACAF group play consists of six matches for each club, with both teams playing a home and away leg. The highest number of points possible is 18. In other words, recording a second straight loss wouldn't absolutely crush the Sounders hopes of advancing to the Championship Round. But it would give the <i>Rayandos </i>six points in the group and place a lot of pressure on the Sounders, who would need to pick up points in other hostile environments to move on to the next stage.</p>
<p>Seattle has the tools to win this match. Unlike previous tournament play, the Sounders haven't had a game in six days, and so they are healthy and rested. <span>Steve Zakuani</span> and <span>Patrick Ianni</span> are still covering from knocks, unfortunately. <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110948/Alvaro_Fernandez" class="sbn-auto-link">Alvaro Fernandez</a> will play wide while <span>Osvaldo Alonso</span> and <span>Nathan Sturgis</span> will take the center. Monterrey could easily exploit Sturgis' inability to use the left side of the pitch and Nyassi's inability to do much except run, but if the Sounders can get the ball to Fernandez, <span>Fredy Montero</span> or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/Blaise_Nkufo" class="sbn-auto-link">Blaise Nkufo</a>, offensive chances can certainly be created.</p>
<p>The Sounders will also be missing <span>Tyrone Marshall</span>, who will be sitting on the bench due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Considering the poor form Marshall displayed against Marathón, supporters might do well to consider this a positive rather than a negative. Since Ianni is likely unavailable, <span>Taylor Graham</span> is expected to partner <span>Jeff Parke</span> in the middle.</p>
<p>For more information (including who Monterrey will roll out) visit <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com/2010/8/25/1650491/game-day-quick-reference-card#comments" target="_blank">Sounder at Heart</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/8/25/2319926/seattle-sounders-play-monterrey-in-concacaf-champions-league-groupKirsten Schlewitz