|
|
Sounders Capitalize On Chances To Beat Rapids
Despite holding the edge in shots, Colorado failed to score while Seattle made the most of its scoring chances.
Jun 29, 2009 7:57:50 PM
SEATTLE, Wash. – On paper, the Colorado Rapids should have earned at least one point in their match against Seattle Sounders FC. The Rapids held a 14-7 edge in shots. Unfortunately, only two of those were on goal. Seattle managed to score three times from four shots on goal as ‘keeper Kasey Keller earned his fifth shutout of the year in the 3-0 win.
Rapids head coach Gary Smith praised Seattle’s ability to score with half of the shots.
“Seattle was clinical in their finishing,” Smith said. “Seattle had seven shots and hit the target four times.”
Colorado forward Omar Cummings missed a crucial penalty kick in the first half. The Rapids could have gone into the locker room tied after the first 45 minutes.
“We missed a penalty at a very, very important time. We [would] come in at 1-1 and are in the game,” Smith said of the Cummings’ shot that hit the right post. “We never really took advantage of our possessions and opportunities. We found ourselves at the other end of a beating.”
“I thought I got a little bit too high on it,” Cummings said of the miss. “You don’t want the ball to go that high, a little bit too over and too high. I guess I hit it too hard.”
Seattle forward Nate Jaqua scored two goals and head coach Sigi Schmid saw a turnaround in his game compared to the previous match.
“I didn’t think Nate had a very strong game in New York,” Schmid said.
‘He was off and said he felt tired. Today he was full of energy and I thought he held the ball up well.”
Seattle forward Fredy Montero provided the spark on all three goals. He scored once and assisted twice on Nate Jaqua’s goals.
“I thought their spacing today was very good.” Schmid said of the Jaqua-Montero scoring combination. “Their spacing from each other was good and their runs off of each other were good.”
Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid was equally pleased Montero’s contribution.
“Montero is getting better and better every game,” he said. “Not just because he’s getting goals, but just his play is getting better.”
With Cummings missing another golden opportunity to score in the 90th minute, Sounders defender Tyrone Marshall and goalie Keller were pleased with the shutout result.
“He got one chance towards the end,” Marshall said of Cummings’ last effort to prevent the whitewash. “I think he just got frustrated. He took a big swing at it. We’re glad it didn’t go in.”
Keller praised the team’s defense in the second 45 minutes of the game. “Other than the chance Cummings had at the end, the second half was a truly professional performance.”
Seattle next MLS game is on July 11 in a critical match against the Houston Dynamo, the league’s top team in terms of points.
The Rapids return to action on July 4 in a home game against the Chicago Fire.
John Zielonka, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Rapids head coach Gary Smith praised Seattle’s ability to score with half of the shots.
“Seattle was clinical in their finishing,” Smith said. “Seattle had seven shots and hit the target four times.”
Colorado forward Omar Cummings missed a crucial penalty kick in the first half. The Rapids could have gone into the locker room tied after the first 45 minutes.
“We missed a penalty at a very, very important time. We [would] come in at 1-1 and are in the game,” Smith said of the Cummings’ shot that hit the right post. “We never really took advantage of our possessions and opportunities. We found ourselves at the other end of a beating.”
“I thought I got a little bit too high on it,” Cummings said of the miss. “You don’t want the ball to go that high, a little bit too over and too high. I guess I hit it too hard.”
Seattle forward Nate Jaqua scored two goals and head coach Sigi Schmid saw a turnaround in his game compared to the previous match.
“I didn’t think Nate had a very strong game in New York,” Schmid said.
‘He was off and said he felt tired. Today he was full of energy and I thought he held the ball up well.”
Seattle forward Fredy Montero provided the spark on all three goals. He scored once and assisted twice on Nate Jaqua’s goals.
“I thought their spacing today was very good.” Schmid said of the Jaqua-Montero scoring combination. “Their spacing from each other was good and their runs off of each other were good.”
Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid was equally pleased Montero’s contribution.
“Montero is getting better and better every game,” he said. “Not just because he’s getting goals, but just his play is getting better.”
With Cummings missing another golden opportunity to score in the 90th minute, Sounders defender Tyrone Marshall and goalie Keller were pleased with the shutout result.
“He got one chance towards the end,” Marshall said of Cummings’ last effort to prevent the whitewash. “I think he just got frustrated. He took a big swing at it. We’re glad it didn’t go in.”
Keller praised the team’s defense in the second 45 minutes of the game. “Other than the chance Cummings had at the end, the second half was a truly professional performance.”
Seattle next MLS game is on July 11 in a critical match against the Houston Dynamo, the league’s top team in terms of points.
The Rapids return to action on July 4 in a home game against the Chicago Fire.
John Zielonka, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.