Seattle Sounders Turn Hounds Loose Against Columbus Crew

In competitive athletics a phrase can be worth a thousand words in defining motivation.  This was the case leading up to Seattle Sounders FC’s important match with tough rival Columbus Crew last night. The result was a 1-1 tie between two strong and well-coached rivals, but once again the Sounders came away from a match with a strong feeling that they should have won. Coach Sigi Schmid recognized the importance of a speedy attack strategy in facing one of the MLS’s premier teams, and the operative phrase preceding the contest was that of intending to “turn loose the hounds” in the pursuit of goals and victory. The team strategy involved a tactical switch in the starting lineup.  Veteran Freddie Ljungberg was positioned in the middle of the midfield scheme of a 4-3-3 deployment. Before the match Schmid, whose last coaching stop before Seattle was Columbus, remarked, “It’s tougher to lose to your friends.  If you lose you never hear the end of it.” The Sounders have been plagued this season by having victory chances stymied by late goals, particularly in stoppage time, which to Seattle fans has loomed like a voodoo hex. With that thought in mind it was realized that a sound strategy for the ...

Seattle Sounders Sign Forward Miguel Montaño

One day following the announcement of the trading of midfielder Stephen King to DC United a new deal was announced, the signing of Colombian forward Miguel Montaño.  As per Major League Soccer and Sounders FC policy, terms were not disclosed. With the receipt of his P-1 work permit and international clearance, Montaño was added to the official roster and is eligible to play. He had been training with the Sounders since March 17. Montaño, 18, most recently played for Quilmes Atletico Club in the Quintata, the fifth tier of the Argentine development structure. He scored 13 goals in 19 games last season. In 2008, Montaño scored 18 goals in 24 games for the reserve team of Colombia's Envigado FC. Just prior to being signed by the Sounders, the 5'11", 150 pound forward made his first international appearance for the Colombia under-20 National Team. Montaño is a Colombian citizen who makes his home in Palmira, Colombia. "Montaño is an exciting, young attacking player with a big upside," Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid said. "He has pace and is two-footed. We look forward to his stay with Sounders FC."Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Clint Mathis

This is Part Four in a series on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy. At 69 minutes into the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Independence, a familiar face returned to the pitch in the colors of Los Angeles. As Alan Gordon took his spot on the bench, in his place was Clint Mathis. For Mathis, this was his 250th appearance in a regular season match. One of MLS's most celebrated veterans, 250 appearances with five clubs in the same league is no small task. Think about it. Here is a 33-year-old veteran who has spent nearly his entire career in Major League Soccer. This is a decade we are talking about, if you take away his time in Europe. Clint Mathis was born on November 25, 1976 in Conyers, Georgia. Conyers, located 24 miles east of Atlanta, is the county seat and is named after Dr. W. D. Conyers, a banker from nearby Covington. Its legacy to the 1996 Summer Olympics is the Georgia International Horse Park, used for the equestrian and mountain biking competitions. Conyers is also known for being the setting for a number ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Back In Business After 3-1 Victory Over Philadephia Union

Ever heard of the song by AC/DC entitled "Back In Business?" For those of you who have, it doesn't take a minute to realize the the Los Angeles Galaxy's scoring touch was back in business again. And would you believe it: by the grace of the football gods, they were able to diversify their portfolio for once. Only 53 seconds into LA's initial ordeal with the Philadelphia Union, it was A.J. De La Garza who opened the proceedings. Edson Buddle—known more for his finishing than his facilitating ability—proved he can also deliver in other ways. His delivery found De La Garza, and it set the tone for a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 15,453 at the Home Depot Center. De La Garza's goal was the second-fastest in club history. The fastest goes to current Galaxy member Clint Mathis, who scored one against the Kansas City Wizards in a match that took place during the 1999 season. Coincidentally, Mathis made his season debut on Saturday, marking his 250th appearance for the Galaxy. Well done, you vet. Let's go back, however, to Mr. 14. As you all know, this year's Buddle would not be this year's Buddle without this year's Buddle getting one, right? Right? ...

Red Bulls Stand United With 2-0 Shutout Win Over D.C.

Washington - The New York Red Bulls remain on top of the Eastern Conference, as they scored two "second-half" goals in a ten minute span to defeat rival D.C. United 2-0 at RFK Stadium. With the win, the Red Bulls matched last year's win total and remain atop of the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-1-0. The win also snapped a 10-game winless streak at RFK Stadium where the Red Bulls were 0-8-2 dating back to last season. There last win over the United was in Oct. 5, 2005, when they won 2-1. Since their loss to Chivas USA, the Red Bulls has over-powered their opponents in the second half. By making second half adjustments on their passing and defense, they have out-scored the opposition 6-2. D.C. United has yet to win a game this season. Desperately seeking their first win of the season, D.C. United started the game aggressively. Despite their "run & gun" efforts, goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul held them at bay with his defense. Six games into the season, Bouna Coundoul has already recorded his third shutout, and has allowed only four goals thus far.  After being scoreless for the first three games of the season, Juan Pablo Angel has scored ...

LA Galaxy-Philadelphia Union: A Play-By-Play (and Other Miscellany)

T-180 minutes to kickoff: In my 25-plus years of doing productive and non-productive activity, I have never tasted a genuine Philadelphia cheesesteak. I know that it must require a set of ingredients to make it authentic. The list is shown below. *Rib-eye or Top round for the steak*Cheeze Whiz*Grilled onions*Amoroso or Vilotti-Pisanelli rolls*Bell peppers*MushroomsOptional: A "This Is America. When Ordering, Speak English." sign.T-170: This is just another shifty way to segue into this week's play-by-play and other miscellany between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union. The Union's noses are put to the grindstone early with a 1-3 record, good for next-to-dead-last in the MLS Eastern Conference Standings.Despite the scoreless draw at CommunityAmerica Ballpark against the Kansas City Wizards, the Galaxy are 4-0-1, good enough for tops overall in the MLS Western Conference and the overall league table.T-160: Other matches going on today include D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution vs. FC Dallas, Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo vs. Kansas City, Real Salt Lake vs. Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids.T-155: Earlier this week, Toronto dispatched the Montreal Impact 2-0 in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Outside of the league, Jose Mourinho's ...

Union-Galaxy: MLS Game Of The Week Preview

The Union and Galaxy have had two completely different seasons so far in the 2010 MLS campaign, and while the Galaxy will look to continue their hot streak, the Union will look to start one. Going into tonight's game at the Home Depot Center, Peter Nowak's Union have had defensive problems. Goalkeeper Chris Seitz has been a model of inconsistency, and the defense has had red card problems with Toni Stahl in Seattle and Danny Califf at Toronto. The Union have also given up at least two goals in each game this season. The Union have also caught another bad break with top scorer Sebastien Le Toux out for tonight's game after suffering a knee sprain mid-week in the Open Cup match with the Red Bulls. That means that Alejandro Moreno will need to attack the goal more instead of trying to set up Le Toux like he normally does. The options up front are all young, but Nowak has decided to go with a 4-5-1 tonight with Moreno being the sole forward. This means the midfielders will have to find a way to get Moreno the ball. The Galaxy have been the hottest team in the galaxy of MLS this year. One reason ...

New England Revolution’s Steve Nicol and the Intelligent Foul

Steve Nicol’s recent rant about the lack of referee protection for his creative players (namely the much improved Sainey Nyassi) was interesting on a number of levels.   When I first read the quote, I was struck by the unabashed choice of words that sounded as to me as if Steve was expecting, or at least wouldn’t be surprised by, a league-imposed fine. The soccer-literati picked up on the quote as well. Paul Gardner of Soccer America jumped on the apparent contradiction in such complaints from Steve Nicol.  Gardner’s focus was on the fact that Steve Nicol’s teams push the physical envelope as far as they can as well.   Though Gardner sneaks in a commentary about not thinking the Revs are a “dirty” team, the general theme is that you cannot have your cake (push physicality) and eat it too (have your “skill players” see no physicality applied to them). He also uses some arguments about Nicol’s ESPN commentary on other matches that allude to Steve’s respect for a physical game.   Fine.  Perhaps there is a some latent contradictions there, but Steve is not what I think most people would call out as a serial complainer; either when the Revs players are getting fouled or getting called ...