I worked late yesterday, I was not having a great day and did not go into the office until after watching Spain beat Paraguay. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, I was working deep into the evening and I wanted to do something fun for July-4.
I had a couple of offers for BBQ’s in Seattle today. Nothing says July in Seattle like a BBQ in the rain. As tempting as that was, I decided I needed sun and found the perfect excuse.
Sounders are playing in LA, it’s going to be sunny and 25 degrees warmer than Seattle. Late last night I made an impulse decision, traded in a wedge of Delta skymiles for an early morning flight, brought a match ticket and will be joining the other Sounders fans BBQing in the Home Depot Centre car park.
This was my first proper tail gate party and glad I took the chance to have some fun in LA on July 4th. They never had those before an Aldershot or Coventry City game.
I was surprised to see 7 or 8 other sounders jerseys on the flight this morning, I figured most people would have made a weekend of it and already been there.
Left on time, and as a bonus even got an exit row. Arrived at LAX a little ahead of schedule. I get they are trying to do something with the place and that it was largely built in the 70’s, but can anyone think of a place that looks more like a 70’s dystopian science fiction film set than the bowels of LAX?
It’s full of tiles featureless walls, unnecessary escalators and long blank corridors. Add a few flex ducts and find the torture chamber you know they have hidden somewhere and you are living in Terry Gillians movie Brazil.
The pre-game party was fun, there was about 120 Seattle fans (and one lonely LA supporter, dragged there by his girlfriend) in the car park drinking beer and eating BBQ. It was a lot of fun, this would not be allowed in Seattle in the same way.
To the game… A 3-1 Seattle loss, not many positives as Seattle were clearly outplayed. Montero looked frustrated, Ljungberg was ineffective and despite scoring the only Seattle goal Zakuani seemed unable to time his runs and not for the first game this year did not look sharp. There was a decent amount of Seattle possession in and around the LA box, but no one seems to be willing to take the shot.
Lots of little balls between players, but ultimately someone has to stand up and take responsibility to turn the half chance into a goal rather than loose possession. It’s just so frustrating to watch. Especially during the first half the movement from midfield forward looked slow and uninspired. Unfortunately that’s the role usually played by Alonso or occasionally Evans, who are both injured. Pete Vagenas tried today, but his distribution and creativity was not good enough against a quick, pressing midfield like LA.
Sigi has some young players with a little creativity and imagination on the bench; it maybe time to start some of them rather than waiting until 75 minutes into the game.
To be clear LA are a good side, they’ve scored 7 goals against Seattle in two games. The home team played some very simple but effective football, lots of short passing and actually able to hit the runners with the ball. LA plays an attractive passing game and seems very well drilled in what’s expected.
The second LA goal was as good a strike as I’ve seen in this league. 30+ yards out and Brazilian midfielder Juninho struck the ball sweetly, there was nothing Keller could have done about that one.
There were just over 300 seats in the away fans section and they sold out. There were a smattering of rave green jerseys elsewhere in the ground. I was in the 5th or 6th row of the Sounders section with the hardcore ECS chanting group. A lot of fun was had, bouncing around, singing and yelling for the entire 90 minutes. My first away game, my throat is shot, however it’s not going to be my last away trip.
Seattle hosts LA on Wednesday at Starfire in the Open Cup quarter final, if Seattle plays like this then the holders will not make it to the semi-finals.