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Chivas USA Undefeated At Seattle Sounders' Expense
The Seattle Sounders are suffering through their first losing streak, while the unbeaten run of Chivas USA continues to build.
Apr 19, 2009 11:11:53 AM
The top of the table clash between Chivas USA and Seattle Sounders FC
had some intensity, as both teams wanted badly to lead the Western
Conference, but the game lacked the heat of any long-time rivalry, even as the LA-area club claimed a 2-0 win.
On the contrary, the teams praised each other - sort of.
Sounders coach Sigi Schmid allowed that Chivas USA's tough play in the midfield disrupted the passing game of the Seattle squad, effectively limiting star midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
"They had some good tactical fouls - that's a quality that they've possessed for a while," Schmid said. "They did a good job defending and they did a good job stepping into gaps."
The experienced coach, who lays claim to two Major League Soccer championship trophies, tried to motivate the Sounders players to adjust.
"The referee didn't call much of anything," Schmid stated. "I told the team, we have to be stronger and more aggressive."
Seattle's early start, winning their first three games without allowing a single goal, had Chivas USA players taking the MLS newcomers seriously - at first.
"I thought they were going to be better than they were tonight," said Alecko Eskandarian of Seattle.
The forward credited the Red and White defenders for limiting Seattle. "I was pretty impressed with our backline, I thought they did a great job tonight, and we got the 2-0 shutout win."
Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall bemoaned critical mistakes.
"We played pretty well. We were unfortunate in the first goal, when we gave up an own goal. Pushing to equalize in the second half, we went to three in the back and they nicked another one there."
The Chivas USA players didn't care if luck played a part in the opening goal.
"A goal's a goal," midfielder Sacha Kljestan mused. "Especially at that point of the game, it doesn't matter who puts it in as long as we're up one – zero."
Interestingly enough, Seattle's starting goalkeeper has yet to yield a goal. However, Kasey Keller was sent off for handling the ball outside his area in the team's last match, when a late goal led to the team's first loss against Kansas City. His absence in the latest match for the red card suspension also had an affect.
"We're missing a big part of our team defense tonight in Kasey," Marshall explained.
Schmid concurred. "Anytime you take a player of Kasey's experience and persona out, it leaves a little bit of a hole for your team."
Yet Preki, Chivas USA's coach, has dealt successfully with a number of key absences to his lineup, including Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov, historically the club's most successful strikers. Chivas USA has proven itself to be a versatile squad.
"This wasn't our best game, but we found a way to win," said midfielder Mariano Trujillo. "That's important, because even when we aren't playing well, we're winning. That means you can adjust the mistakes and you can be better."
Seattle now looks to regroup, hoping not to fall to .500 in their next match, when they host the San Jose Earthquakes.
Schmid hoped adversity would toughen his players. "It's all character issues right now," said Schmid. "We have enough talent.
Meanwhile, Chivas USA was looking to continue their best-ever start that has them top of the league, even as they face a tough busy stretch.
"We're going for undefeated, I guess," said Kljestan. "We're going to Toronto on Wednesday and then a quick turn-around to be back here for the weekend, so we'll see what happens."
Eskandarian, who won an MLS Cup title in 2004 with D.C. United, was keeping the situation in perspective.
"We have a lot of veterans in this locker room that know what it takes to win a championship and we know that five games into the year no one ever gets handed a trophy."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
On the contrary, the teams praised each other - sort of.
Sounders coach Sigi Schmid allowed that Chivas USA's tough play in the midfield disrupted the passing game of the Seattle squad, effectively limiting star midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
"They had some good tactical fouls - that's a quality that they've possessed for a while," Schmid said. "They did a good job defending and they did a good job stepping into gaps."
The experienced coach, who lays claim to two Major League Soccer championship trophies, tried to motivate the Sounders players to adjust.
"The referee didn't call much of anything," Schmid stated. "I told the team, we have to be stronger and more aggressive."
Seattle's early start, winning their first three games without allowing a single goal, had Chivas USA players taking the MLS newcomers seriously - at first.
"I thought they were going to be better than they were tonight," said Alecko Eskandarian of Seattle.
The forward credited the Red and White defenders for limiting Seattle. "I was pretty impressed with our backline, I thought they did a great job tonight, and we got the 2-0 shutout win."
Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall bemoaned critical mistakes.
"We played pretty well. We were unfortunate in the first goal, when we gave up an own goal. Pushing to equalize in the second half, we went to three in the back and they nicked another one there."
The Chivas USA players didn't care if luck played a part in the opening goal.
"A goal's a goal," midfielder Sacha Kljestan mused. "Especially at that point of the game, it doesn't matter who puts it in as long as we're up one – zero."
Interestingly enough, Seattle's starting goalkeeper has yet to yield a goal. However, Kasey Keller was sent off for handling the ball outside his area in the team's last match, when a late goal led to the team's first loss against Kansas City. His absence in the latest match for the red card suspension also had an affect.
"We're missing a big part of our team defense tonight in Kasey," Marshall explained.
Schmid concurred. "Anytime you take a player of Kasey's experience and persona out, it leaves a little bit of a hole for your team."
Yet Preki, Chivas USA's coach, has dealt successfully with a number of key absences to his lineup, including Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov, historically the club's most successful strikers. Chivas USA has proven itself to be a versatile squad.
"This wasn't our best game, but we found a way to win," said midfielder Mariano Trujillo. "That's important, because even when we aren't playing well, we're winning. That means you can adjust the mistakes and you can be better."
Seattle now looks to regroup, hoping not to fall to .500 in their next match, when they host the San Jose Earthquakes.
Schmid hoped adversity would toughen his players. "It's all character issues right now," said Schmid. "We have enough talent.
Meanwhile, Chivas USA was looking to continue their best-ever start that has them top of the league, even as they face a tough busy stretch.
"We're going for undefeated, I guess," said Kljestan. "We're going to Toronto on Wednesday and then a quick turn-around to be back here for the weekend, so we'll see what happens."
Eskandarian, who won an MLS Cup title in 2004 with D.C. United, was keeping the situation in perspective.
"We have a lot of veterans in this locker room that know what it takes to win a championship and we know that five games into the year no one ever gets handed a trophy."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
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