The Seattle Sounders put on an appallingly bad display in losing to CS Herediano, a side that they were completely dominant against exactly one week ago in Costa Rica. Even the weakened side the Sounders put out this evening should have been expected to at least pick up a point, but there was very little danger on display until Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso came on early in the second half, but even then it was late until Sammy Ochoa came on before the Sounders made Herediano sweat. Seattle's performance on the evening could perhaps best be described as embarrassing and with Monterrey winning against Communicaciones the Sounders road to the knockout stage now looks significantly more difficult than it did prior to kickoff.
Nate Jaqua looked hopeless all evening and Pat Noonan, the other half of Seattle's forward pairing, didn't inspire a great deal more confidence. Until Alonso was brought on there was little if any organization and fluidity in the midfield and even then the connection between the wings and the forwards left a great deal to be desired. Despite the defense being one that wouldn't be out of place in league play the back line looked haphazard all evening and the Sounders are lucky Herediano didn't score more than once.
One bright spot on the evening was the play of Sammy Ochoa; though he was only on for the final 20 minutes, Ochoa was lively and forced Herediano keeper Daniel Cambronero to make the best of his numerous excellent saves just before extra time. Ochoa is still a ways from full fitness, but if he can move ahead of Nate Jaqua on the substitute's depth chart that will be an improvement for Seattle. Still, since the newcomer was unable to fire Seattle into a draw that's going to be little consolation. The sooner this game is forgotten the better; now Seattle will need to take care of business against both Communicaciones and Monterrey, or hope for some help from the other teams in the group.