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Played
August 28, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Qwest Field, Seattle, Wash.
Referee: Ramon Hernandez
August 28, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Qwest Field, Seattle, Wash.
Referee: Ramon Hernandez
Seattle Sounders FC - Chicago Fire: Head To Head Preview
By John Zielonka and Isaac Heath
On Form
Seattle Sounders FC: In CONCACAF Champions League competition last week, the Sounders lost 2-1 to CD Marathon (Honduras) to end their nine-game unbeaten streak. Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo both earned assist credit on Roger Levesque's lone goal, which was Nkufo's first point as a Sounder. The Dutch league veteran may finally be getting in sync with the MLS' physical style of play and his new teammates. During the unbeaten streak, Kasey Keller and his defenders gave up a mere three goals in the nine-match stretch.
Chicago Fire: No, the player making it happen for the Fire right now is not Brian McBride, Nery Castillo, or even Freddie Ljunberg (although he is playing well). It's Calen Carr. Just two weeks ago the forward made his season debut in dramatic fashion by scoring the game winner against bitter rivals New England Revolution. He followed that performance up with another goal this past weekend in Houston, and appears to be the finisher up top the Fire has been looking for.
Off Target
Seattle: Steve Zakuani, out with a pelvic strain and did not play in the CD Marathon game in Honduras. Without last year's first round draft pick in the lineup, the Sounders missed his quickness and runs along the endline. His playing status as of mid-week is unknown. Others out with injuries include Pat Noonan, Brad Evans and Peter Vagenas. Defender Leo Gonzalez will miss the Chicago game after receiving a red card in the previous MLS match against Chivas. Schmid will once again have to juggle his lineup. The Sounders last year used 22 players in MLS competitions. In 2010, the total number of players who have featured is already at 28.
Chicago: While the poor Fire defense is certainly a huge storyline, it pales in comparison to the uninspiring performances Nery Castillo has given in his first three appearances with Chicago. The “out of form” excuse worked the first few weeks, but a player of Castillo's caliber should be able to contribute more than he is at this point.
Tactics
Seattle: If Steve Zakuani is not match fit, the Rave Green will be without one of their key offensive weapons on left wing. Head coach Sigi Schmid will likely keep Nkufo up front with Montero acting in a dual role as a goal scorer and distributor of the ball. The tactics and results favor having Nkufo as the lone striker with the Colombian forward playing more of a playmaker role in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation.
Chicago: Ljunberg has been great for Chicago since he has arrived, reinventing the Fire offense with his effort and playmaking abilities. Castillo will likely get another start at left mid with McBride and Ljunberg playing up top for the Fire. If the Fire scores an early goal, look for them to drop into more of a defensive shell playing in the always loud Qwest Field. If not, expect them to continue to try and attack.
Intangibles
Seattle: The return of former Sounder Freddie Ljungberg should make this one of them most intriguing games in the Sounders' short two-year history. The Swede's trade to Chicago will motivate him to show up his former team. From the Sounders' perspective, the Rave Green started to win consistently once Ljungberg departed and are back in the playoff hunt after their early season struggles.
Chicago: While this is a huge game for both playoff wannabes, the most interesting storyline of this game has to be the return of Ljunberg to Qwest Field after leaving on such poor terms. How will the Swede respond to the challenge, and how will the Seattle faithful respond to him on his return? Needless to say it should be an extremely interesting match as the Fire will have the advantage of facing a tired Seattle team that hosted Monterrey on Wednesday.
Outcome
Seattle: Freddie Ljungberg scores and the Chicago Fire walk away with one road point at Qwest Field. Seattle Sounders FC 2 (Montero, Fernandez) - 2 Chicago (Carr, Ljungberg).
Chicago: Seattle will be feeling tired after the midweek game and Chicago will steal a draw on the road 1-1.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Seattle Sounders FC: In CONCACAF Champions League competition last week, the Sounders lost 2-1 to CD Marathon (Honduras) to end their nine-game unbeaten streak. Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo both earned assist credit on Roger Levesque's lone goal, which was Nkufo's first point as a Sounder. The Dutch league veteran may finally be getting in sync with the MLS' physical style of play and his new teammates. During the unbeaten streak, Kasey Keller and his defenders gave up a mere three goals in the nine-match stretch.
Chicago Fire: No, the player making it happen for the Fire right now is not Brian McBride, Nery Castillo, or even Freddie Ljunberg (although he is playing well). It's Calen Carr. Just two weeks ago the forward made his season debut in dramatic fashion by scoring the game winner against bitter rivals New England Revolution. He followed that performance up with another goal this past weekend in Houston, and appears to be the finisher up top the Fire has been looking for.
Off Target
Seattle: Steve Zakuani, out with a pelvic strain and did not play in the CD Marathon game in Honduras. Without last year's first round draft pick in the lineup, the Sounders missed his quickness and runs along the endline. His playing status as of mid-week is unknown. Others out with injuries include Pat Noonan, Brad Evans and Peter Vagenas. Defender Leo Gonzalez will miss the Chicago game after receiving a red card in the previous MLS match against Chivas. Schmid will once again have to juggle his lineup. The Sounders last year used 22 players in MLS competitions. In 2010, the total number of players who have featured is already at 28.
Chicago: While the poor Fire defense is certainly a huge storyline, it pales in comparison to the uninspiring performances Nery Castillo has given in his first three appearances with Chicago. The “out of form” excuse worked the first few weeks, but a player of Castillo's caliber should be able to contribute more than he is at this point.
Tactics
Seattle: If Steve Zakuani is not match fit, the Rave Green will be without one of their key offensive weapons on left wing. Head coach Sigi Schmid will likely keep Nkufo up front with Montero acting in a dual role as a goal scorer and distributor of the ball. The tactics and results favor having Nkufo as the lone striker with the Colombian forward playing more of a playmaker role in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation.
Chicago: Ljunberg has been great for Chicago since he has arrived, reinventing the Fire offense with his effort and playmaking abilities. Castillo will likely get another start at left mid with McBride and Ljunberg playing up top for the Fire. If the Fire scores an early goal, look for them to drop into more of a defensive shell playing in the always loud Qwest Field. If not, expect them to continue to try and attack.
Intangibles
Seattle: The return of former Sounder Freddie Ljungberg should make this one of them most intriguing games in the Sounders' short two-year history. The Swede's trade to Chicago will motivate him to show up his former team. From the Sounders' perspective, the Rave Green started to win consistently once Ljungberg departed and are back in the playoff hunt after their early season struggles.
Chicago: While this is a huge game for both playoff wannabes, the most interesting storyline of this game has to be the return of Ljunberg to Qwest Field after leaving on such poor terms. How will the Swede respond to the challenge, and how will the Seattle faithful respond to him on his return? Needless to say it should be an extremely interesting match as the Fire will have the advantage of facing a tired Seattle team that hosted Monterrey on Wednesday.
Outcome
Seattle: Freddie Ljungberg scores and the Chicago Fire walk away with one road point at Qwest Field. Seattle Sounders FC 2 (Montero, Fernandez) - 2 Chicago (Carr, Ljungberg).
Chicago: Seattle will be feeling tired after the midweek game and Chicago will steal a draw on the road 1-1.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 Chicago Fire
- 27.27 %
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Seattle Sounders FC 1-2 Chicago Fire
- 22.73 %
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Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 Chicago Fire
- 13.64 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 28, 2012 | Chicago Fire 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jun 4, 2011 | Chicago Fire 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 0 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 9, 2011 | Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Chicago Fire 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 25, 2010 | Chicago Fire 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Aug 28, 2010 | Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Chicago Fire 1 |
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Seattle Sounders FC
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| May 26, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Columbus Crew 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
Chicago Fire
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| Jun 2, 2012 | New England Revolution 2 - Chicago Fire 0 | MLS |
| May 26, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - Chicago Fire 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Chicago Fire 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 20, 2012 | Portland Timbers 2 - Chicago Fire 1 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Chicago Fire 2 - Sporting Kansas City 1 | MLS |
| 1 | Kasey Keller | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Tyson Wahl | Defender |
| 31 | Jeff Parke | Defender |
| 4 | Patrick Ianni | Defender |
| - | James Riley | Defender |
| 15 | Alvaro Fernandez | Midfielder |
| 6 | Osvaldo Alonso | Midfielder |
| - | Nathan Sturgis | Defender |
| 11 | Sanna Nyassi | Midfielder |
| 17 | Fredy Montero | Striker |
| 10 | Blaise Nkufo | Striker |
| - | Terry Boss | Goalkeeper |
| 20 | Zach Scott | Defender |
| 34 | Tyrone Marshall | Defender |
| 22 | Michael Seamon | Midfielder |
| 11 | Steve Zakuani | Striker |
| 24 | Roger Levesque | Striker |
| - | Nate Jaqua | Striker |
| 25 | Sean Johnson | Goalkeeper |
| 7 | Krzysztof Krol | Defender |
| 31 | Gonzalo Segares | Defender |
| - | C.J. Brown | Defender |
| 28 | Steven Kinney | Defender |
| 12 | Logan Pause | Midfielder |
| 11 | John Thorrington | Midfielder |
| - | Baggio Husidic | Midfielder |
| 7 | Fredrik Ljungberg | Midfielder |
| 14 | Patrick Nyarko | Striker |
| 15 | Collins John | Striker |
| - | Andrew Dykstra | Goalkeeper |
| - | D. Umanzor | Defender |
| 4 | Kwame Watson-Siriboe | Defender |
| 18 | Mike Banner | Midfielder |
| 3 | Calen Carr | Striker |
| 16 | Marco Pappa | Midfielder |
| 20 | Brian McBride | Striker |
| Osvaldo Alonso | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 6 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fredrik Ljungberg | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 7 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |