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MLS First Kick 2010 Special: 5 Reasons Why The Sounders Will Win
Goal.com's Zac Lee Rigg gives his five reasons the Sounders will grab the first win in 2010.
Mar 24, 2010 8:45:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Predicting games is always a bit of a crap-shoot. The reason fans tune in is because no body knows which side will win. Upsets, draws, and the unknown keep things interesting. So to claim Seattle Sounders FC will beat the Philadelphia Union, especially before Philly has played a real game, is premature.
That said, given an extra year of experience and a talented squad, Seattle should find itself the favorite. If the Sounders do manage all three points, the following five points will come into play.
Home crowd
Seattle set a record for average home attendance in North America last year. Well over 30,000 passionate fans will show up for the match on Thursday, cheering on the Rave Green until they're hoarse. Last year, the Sounders only lost two games in front of its rabid home support. The pressure and the noise may prove too much for Philadelphia in its first ever match.
Freddie Ljungberg
The simple fact is Philadelphia can't boast anyone to match the skill or experience of Freddie Ljungberg. From crucial matches with Arsenal down to the captaincy armband for Sweden, the 32-year-old has seen it all. Everything runs through the Swede in the Seattle offense, and Ljungberg has more than enough vision to break down a freshly forged defensive line. Much of Piotr Nowak's game plan will hinge on stopping Seattle's designated player.
Chemistry
In this case, a year counts for everything. The Sounders experienced almost zero turnover in the offseason and will field almost the exact same team as last year. That team includes months of team chemistry built up and tested in a grueling season. Philly, on the other hand, come into this one fresh, still somewhat unsure of positions and roles. It takes time for a squad to bed and learn other players' intricacies. When a game comes down to the wire, that added familiarity and comfort can make the difference between one point and three.
Goalkeeping
Philly can boast three promising goaltenders. However, each team can only field one at a time. Especially in a position like goalkeeper, experience counts for infinitely more than potential. Whoever starts for the Union won't be able to match the know-how and defensive organization of Kasey Keller. The 40-year-old manned the United States posts for a decade and a half and has thrived at the highest level in England, Germany, and Spain. Back at his hometown club, Keller proved himself one of the best goalkeepers in MLS last year with a miserly 0.92 goals-against average.
Defense
Defense wins games, no matter what the purists (read: Arsenal fans) say. Philadelphia doesn't boast a natural goal-scorer nor does it have a suave, synchronized attack yet. Last year, Seattle conceded 29 goals in 30 regular season games. The team preserved its solid defensive corps and could add Jeff Parke to that mix. A clean sheet will likely be enough to see Seattle take all three points.
Get all the latest MLS news with Goal.com's dedicated page.
That said, given an extra year of experience and a talented squad, Seattle should find itself the favorite. If the Sounders do manage all three points, the following five points will come into play.
Home crowd
Seattle set a record for average home attendance in North America last year. Well over 30,000 passionate fans will show up for the match on Thursday, cheering on the Rave Green until they're hoarse. Last year, the Sounders only lost two games in front of its rabid home support. The pressure and the noise may prove too much for Philadelphia in its first ever match.
Freddie Ljungberg
The simple fact is Philadelphia can't boast anyone to match the skill or experience of Freddie Ljungberg. From crucial matches with Arsenal down to the captaincy armband for Sweden, the 32-year-old has seen it all. Everything runs through the Swede in the Seattle offense, and Ljungberg has more than enough vision to break down a freshly forged defensive line. Much of Piotr Nowak's game plan will hinge on stopping Seattle's designated player.
Chemistry
In this case, a year counts for everything. The Sounders experienced almost zero turnover in the offseason and will field almost the exact same team as last year. That team includes months of team chemistry built up and tested in a grueling season. Philly, on the other hand, come into this one fresh, still somewhat unsure of positions and roles. It takes time for a squad to bed and learn other players' intricacies. When a game comes down to the wire, that added familiarity and comfort can make the difference between one point and three.
Goalkeeping
Philly can boast three promising goaltenders. However, each team can only field one at a time. Especially in a position like goalkeeper, experience counts for infinitely more than potential. Whoever starts for the Union won't be able to match the know-how and defensive organization of Kasey Keller. The 40-year-old manned the United States posts for a decade and a half and has thrived at the highest level in England, Germany, and Spain. Back at his hometown club, Keller proved himself one of the best goalkeepers in MLS last year with a miserly 0.92 goals-against average.
Defense
Defense wins games, no matter what the purists (read: Arsenal fans) say. Philadelphia doesn't boast a natural goal-scorer nor does it have a suave, synchronized attack yet. Last year, Seattle conceded 29 goals in 30 regular season games. The team preserved its solid defensive corps and could add Jeff Parke to that mix. A clean sheet will likely be enough to see Seattle take all three points.
Get all the latest MLS news with Goal.com's dedicated page.
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