Some games are bigger than others, and some losses mean a little more. Seattle getting hammered by a good Santos side feels like a big loss. It was the quarterfinal of a huge tournament, it was big game and Seattle were well beaten on the night.
There is no real way to put a positive spin on the result. JKH had a bad night, Leo Gonzales had no answer for those running at him on the left and they never had any control in the middle of the field.
Coming into the game 2-1 up after the home leg the Sounders lost two early goals, came back and going in at half time the game was level on aggregate. Then Seattle gave up 4 goals in the second half and we saw just how big the gulf between Mexican and MLS sides are.
On any given day MLS teams can compete and win, but when it comes to overall quality there is a huge gulf to overcome. When an MLS team goes to Mexico it’s not a foregone conclusion any more, but it’s still an upset when they win down there. We still expect the good Mexican teams to win, and for good reason, they typically do.
So what were the highlights? Fernandez getting on the end of a perfect cross by Montero shortly before the half is the only obvious one. Coming out at half time Seattle were still in this game, they still had a chance.
Herculez Gomez (somewhat inevitably) grabbed back the lead for Santos shortly after the restart and that was it. The Sounders were forced to look for an equalizer, and left space at the back. Santos was given too much space and they did not miss much.
They were a good side and put away the Sounders with ease.
Seattle now face Toronto at RBP. The visitors have momentum coming into this game, they beat LA over two legs and move into the last four in the Champions League.
Saturday will be a big night under the lights. The noise, a full house and a chance to start the domestic season off in the right way and put the Santos game behind them.
Tweet
Related articles
- Sounders top Santos Laguna in CONCACAF Champions League quarters (soccerbyives.net)
- Herculez Deserves Call Up from Klinsmann; MLS Looking Better Than Ever in Champions League? (bigsoccer.com)
- Sounders FC faces history, Santos Laguna (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
2 Comments
You’re the best, great blog Dave! Thanks for the follow and take care.
Yes MLS sides are behind the rest of CONCACAF, but they are also under a salary cap. I think it’s a credit to sides like LA, Seattle and Toronto that on such an uneven playing field they manage to compete as well as they do.