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CCL Roundup: Early Trouble For The Sounders
The Sounders are digging a hole in the early stages of the CCL.
Aug 30, 2010 1:09:00 PM
By Allen Ramsey
Last week we discussed how difficult it is to get results on the road in the CONCACAF Champions League and the importance of being able to get points at home. The theory held true in the second round CCL group matches where six of eight matches were won by the home team.
There were only two home teams to cough up precious home points on matchday two, and only one loser, the Seattle Sounders.
Not surprisingly, the Sounders are now sitting bottom of Group C with no points to show from two matches. In fact, the Seattle franchise has the dubious honor of being the only team in the group stages still looking for their first point. While a 2-0 loss to Monterrey would not be cause for major concern in most CCL groups where the Mexican teams are normally the dominant force and everybody else fights it out for the remaining spots in the next round, Seattle's loss puts them in a tough spot. Road wins are now required of the second year MLS franchise, and with home matches remaining against two of best non-Mexican club teams in the region, there is little reason to believe that the Sounders will make a serious run at the next round.
While the Sounders failed to make their mark at Qwest, MLS' other representatives all found life the road tough.
Real Salt Lake gave a great account of themselves at Estadio Azul, scoring four times and pushing the Mexican giants to the brink in a 5-4 loss, but neither Columbus nor Toronto could find the next during their travels.
The Crew lost 1-0 to Santos in a match that sparked plenty of conversation and rightly could have turned either way. Eventually Santos' ability to control the tempo of the match, and possession of the ball won out. What looked like a vital point for the Crew turned into another heartbreaking loss in Mexico.
Toronto FC, it has to be said, were on the wrong end of some questionable decisions against Arabe Unido. Finishing with nine men on the pitch makes walking away with a positive result even more difficult, but it was Toronto's lack of attacking ability on the night that doomed the Canadian representative to fruitless trip.
The good news for TFC and RSL is that all four teams in Group A are now tied on three points, leaving the group wide open with no particular favorite, especially if Cruz Azul continues to run out teams heavily reliant on reserves.
In Group B the Crew are in a comfortable spot, second in table to Santos and two points of clear of Municipal and Joe Public who drew on matchday two to give each side their lone point.
Saprissa rebounded nicely from an opening round loss to smash four past Marathon and pull level with the Hondurans three points back of Monterrey.
In Group D the Puerto Rico Islanders are once again surprising people as an early favorite. The little club that could grabbed a 4-1 win over El Salvador's Deportivo FAS, setting them up level on points with Toluca atop the group with four points each after the Mexicans topped Olimpia 4-0.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
There were only two home teams to cough up precious home points on matchday two, and only one loser, the Seattle Sounders.
Not surprisingly, the Sounders are now sitting bottom of Group C with no points to show from two matches. In fact, the Seattle franchise has the dubious honor of being the only team in the group stages still looking for their first point. While a 2-0 loss to Monterrey would not be cause for major concern in most CCL groups where the Mexican teams are normally the dominant force and everybody else fights it out for the remaining spots in the next round, Seattle's loss puts them in a tough spot. Road wins are now required of the second year MLS franchise, and with home matches remaining against two of best non-Mexican club teams in the region, there is little reason to believe that the Sounders will make a serious run at the next round.
While the Sounders failed to make their mark at Qwest, MLS' other representatives all found life the road tough.
Real Salt Lake gave a great account of themselves at Estadio Azul, scoring four times and pushing the Mexican giants to the brink in a 5-4 loss, but neither Columbus nor Toronto could find the next during their travels.
The Crew lost 1-0 to Santos in a match that sparked plenty of conversation and rightly could have turned either way. Eventually Santos' ability to control the tempo of the match, and possession of the ball won out. What looked like a vital point for the Crew turned into another heartbreaking loss in Mexico.
Toronto FC, it has to be said, were on the wrong end of some questionable decisions against Arabe Unido. Finishing with nine men on the pitch makes walking away with a positive result even more difficult, but it was Toronto's lack of attacking ability on the night that doomed the Canadian representative to fruitless trip.
The good news for TFC and RSL is that all four teams in Group A are now tied on three points, leaving the group wide open with no particular favorite, especially if Cruz Azul continues to run out teams heavily reliant on reserves.
In Group B the Crew are in a comfortable spot, second in table to Santos and two points of clear of Municipal and Joe Public who drew on matchday two to give each side their lone point.
Saprissa rebounded nicely from an opening round loss to smash four past Marathon and pull level with the Hondurans three points back of Monterrey.
In Group D the Puerto Rico Islanders are once again surprising people as an early favorite. The little club that could grabbed a 4-1 win over El Salvador's Deportivo FAS, setting them up level on points with Toluca atop the group with four points each after the Mexicans topped Olimpia 4-0.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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