Sounders 3 – 1 FC Dallas
Seattle got to showcase once again on national TV why they have the best fans in North America, as the rain came down in buckets, yet it was another sell-out crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Plus, America got to finally see the Sounders win during a nationally televised event. It has been a few weeks.
The rain soaked pitch seemed to play into this match a bit in the beginning of the game, but FC Dallas weren’t having too many problems getting in the danger area within the first 10 minutes of the game.
I’m sure this was not what the Sounders had in mind to start the game off, but as the scoreline shows, they did find their niche and did become the better of the two teams at the end of the game.
With only one league match remaining, the Sounders now sit in 2nd place, having leapfrogged Real Salt Lake, and can finish no lower than third going into the final week of the year.
The Cascadia Cup is now gone, but maybe this will take some pressure off of the team, as they look forward to their final match, and look to go on to win their first ever MLS Cup.
Love ‘em
B-rad penalty
On a free kick taken by Jeff Parke, and headed into the area by Eddie Johnson, Freddy Montero took control of the ball right inside the 18 on a nice little flick to himself.
He then was hauled down by a FC Dallas defender, which resulted in a penalty being called.
Right after the half-hour mark, Sounders midfielder Brad Evans made good on the shot, and put the Sounders up 1-0.
Penalties are so exciting to watch!
It was all smiles in Seattle on Sunday night as the Sounders defeated FC Dallas 3-1. (photo mlssoccer.com)
Win for Sigi
It’s not easy to win games in this league as it is, but when your manager has been suspended, it’s that much harder.
The Sounders came out and did their part though, as Sigi Schmid, though suspended, took place in the march to the match to see his team play.
The three points were a welcome sight for Sigi, as his team now has the ability to finish the season on a strong point, and get into the playoffs with some momentum.
Hate ‘em
Equalizer
The Sounders seemed to have a bit of a brain fart on the defense of the free kick that ended up setting up the games tying goal just before halftime.
There was no clearance attempt at all as the ball bounced off of one of our own, and onto the feet of Perez, who fired the ball home into the back of the net.
Maybe on plays like this, it’s all about opportunity, maybe timing, maybe luck, but whatever one of those is the right choice, none of them seemed to be available for the Sounders at that moment in time.
Dallas had all three though, and that is why they ended up tying the game on that play.
Not enough goals
A 3-1 victory is sweet, don’t get me wrong, but with the way the Sounders played, this could have, and probably should have been a 5 or 6 goal output by Seattle.
We hold the tie-break with RSL on goals scored, so that isn’t going to come back to bite us, but man, there were some golden opportunities to pad the score line a bit more in this one.
Who doesn’t want to run up the score on national TV when the whole country is watching, and the rest of the league is as well.
That can only strike fear into a possible upcoming playoff opponent.
Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers, and who am I to criticize a 3-1 win?
Up next for the Sounders is LA Galaxy away. Another nationally televised event, ESPN will air the game at 6:00 local time.
Highlights courtesy of mlssoccer.com.
