top of page

Charity FC : Sounders Gift San Jose 3 points

Writer's picture: Gyoza GaleanoGyoza Galeano


San Jose have not won their previous 14 road games, winning only a single road game ALL SEASON last year. In fact they have only won three games since April 1st, sitting in fifth place. The only team to beat LAFC in the league this season, the Earthquakes have a bit of a shaky and somewhat uncontrolled style but before the game it looked like three points for the taking for the Sounders at Lumen Fortress...I mean, Field, on a cool Wednesday evening.


A big opportunity for the Sounders to build on the win against RBNY, aaaand the Sounders fell 1-0.


The winner came from a corner kick in which Nouhou doesn't track his runner, an error further compounded by young Dylan Tevez coming adrift, lost at sea and last seen near the back post, to allow for a simple finish from Ebobisse just after the restart.


Post game, Schmetzer blames himself and a lack of training ground time, but defending corners is kind of Intro to Footie 101. Regardless of blame or training ground time, goals like that can't happen when you want to win the league. But with nearly a whole second half, there was plenty of time for a comeback


The Sounders looked sluggish and off the pace until Raul Ruidiaz and Reed Baker-Whiting were subbed on in the 58th minute. Suddenly the Quakes found themselves pinned into their own 18 yard box and under steady pressure. But with 9 shots on target and 23 shots total the ball never found the back of the net. Several shots on target were from a long way out, closer to Pioneer Square than SoDo.


PLEASE do not talk to me about xG. It's a problematic stat to begin with, and potential goals or probable goals do not equal actual goals. Top teams consistently outperform the xG stats and there are too many people who rely on xG stats instead of using their eyeballs, as is traditional in watching this sport. On the positive side, both xG and our eyeballs tell us the Sounders were creating chances tonight. It's something they have been struggling to do so there are some signs of improvement especially as they ramped up the pressure in the second half.


Giving up a goal from a corner like that is bound to happen from time to time. C'est la vie or whatever. The rest of the game, the defense looked pretty solid once again. Even without our underrated superstar Yeimar (seriously I'm afraid fans won't appreciate just how good he is until he is gone) the defense looked unbothered for most of the game. Regan keeps getting better and Nouhou is always entertaining even when the first half was not. Where is the stat that measures laughs per 90?


The midfield is where the issues are for the Sounders and the many (forced) changes continue to cause problems, especially going forward. This evening, Atencio did not have a game to remember, particularly with some of his touches and his positioning, but worked hard off the ball and kept at it. Rusnak was solid defensively and often a vital outlet in the defensive zone. I don't want to discuss Nico Lodeiro right now but a conversation needs to be had. Nico is a club legend but the club need to be thinking about how to move on at the end of the season.


In the meantime, how many shots has Rusnak taken that have gotten blocked? Someone look that up for me please but the number comes in around the way too many mark.


So what are the positives? Leo Chu is the real deal. Project Youth: the young players coming from the academy are representing themselves very well and are starting to push established veterans for game time. I don't think you can ask anything more of the young players, especially given the current run of form. Cristian Roldan is coming back and personally I want to see Chu on the left, Morris in the middle and Roldan on the right moving forward.

Ruidiaz is getting back to fitness, I have faith he can get back to normal service and score goals regularly even if its from a role off the bench.


I will just scrub the many misses tonight from my memory, along with the rest of the game, Eternal Sunshine style. Falling in love with the Sounders again and again and falling harder when we fell the Timbers on Saturday!

Comments


Top Stories

  • Twitter
  • Instagram

CONTACT US FORM

​

© 2023 by Orcas and secured by Puget Sound

We are not affiliated with Seattle Sounders or MLS

Bring s p i c y Sounders news straight to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page