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Time: 7:30
TV:Fox Soccer Channel

After a 2-2 tie last week against the Colorado Rapids the Sounders return home to face Sigi Schmid's old team the Columbus Crew. The Crew are the reigning MLS Cup champions, but this year they are not quiet the same with a record of 2-2-6. This will be the Crew's second game this week when they beat San Jose 2-1. This is actually similar to the Sounders because on Wednesday they face the Rapids again in a play-in game to the Open Cup where the Sounders won 1-0 meaning they do get a spot starting next month.

The Crew has three main attackers who have the same total number of shots (19). The main goal scorer though is Guillermo Barros Schelotto who has capitilaized 6 times on those 19 shots. The problem though is the Crew's defense which is allowing almost two goals a game and they are averaging a little over one goal per game. The defense may be a little softer today because they have lost two main defenders in Frankie Hejduk and first string goalkeeper William Hesmer because of the US Men's Qualification game for the World Cup this weekend. They also lost defensive midfielder Brian Carroll to a shoulder injury. This should leave the Crew's defense even more vulnerable tonight that usual.

The Sounders have hit a really hard string of games and even though they may not be losing they are facing some tough ties and some ties that have really been lucky after seeing how the rest of the game went. This has been due to a lot of injuries and red card suspensions. No injury has been more devestating than the recent groin injury of Osvaldo Alonso and Freddie Ljungberg who has missed the pervious two games with a migraine. This though has caused other players to step up to make up for these losses. The best thing from last week is seeing the re-emergence of Freddy Montero who looked getting his first goal since week 2 and also getting an assist to the tying goal. Hopefully he can continue that today with the weak Crew defense.

This week should be easy considering the lack of defense from the Crew and with the return of Ljungberg, but will we be the same defensively without Alonso. I think that they will be fine this week with a 2-1 victory (can we actually pull of a win after all these ties?)

Go Sounders!!
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Editor's Note: I would like to introduce a new member to the writing staff of SeaTown Sports, Jonathan Shock. Jonathan is an avid reader of SeaTown Sports and jumped at the chance to write for us. Enjoy! -Kevin


By Jonathan Shock

See that sunshine outside? It’s not even June and Seattle is already mired in a drought. This drought is not the result of a Memorial Day Weekend’s worth of sunshine. Instead, it is the culmination of 30 years of losing, collapses, and falling short of the prize every Seattle sports fan craves – A championship.

We’re still emerging from the fetal position on the bathroom floor we’ve been lying on for all of 2008 like a bad hangover you just can’t shake. We emerge from our self imposed hibernation, only to be reminded that the worst might be behind us, but the best is still a distant dream. The Arizona Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Celtics have all ended their Championship droughts in the last several years, rewarding their long suffering fans with the championships they sought for so long.

Meanwhile, here in Seattle, one of our three pro franchises, and the only one to ever win a title, was ripped from our grasp and exiled to the empty plains of… Oklahoma? Sorry. I had to re-read that last sentence a couple times. I’m still in the denial stage over the whole thing.

Not only does the famine continue, but the saddest part is that there is really no end in sight. The Seahawks are emerging from their worst season in recent memory while The Mariners are playing way above expectations, playing slightly below .500 ball. Cities like Denver, Cleveland, and Orlando in the NBA (that’s the National Basketball Association for those who forgot what that was) have found their Saviors who are trying to lead them out of the wilderness into the promise land. They may not get there this year, but they at least bring their fans hope that they can take them there.

Who is Seattle’s Moses? Who will pick up this city, put it on his back, and lead it on a path to pre eminence once again? Seahawks draft pick Aaron Curry? I certainly wouldn’t complain, but yet I’m not exactly holding my breath.

Like the Princess trapped away in the tower, all we can do is stare off at the horizon from our window, and hope that one day our Prince will come. Until that time, keep the flame burning, True Believers. Good things come to those who wait. And it’s certainly been quite the wait. no comments

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By: Ronaldinho Hendricks

This weekend the Sounders evaded what could have been a devastating loss to the Colorado Rapids.  Seattle visited Colorado after a blunder of a match against Dallas FC.  Their second place spot was on the line because if the third place Rapids came away with a win, Seattle would drop to third.  This danger was ever more prominent with Freddie Ljungberg out for the second week in a row and midfield machine Osvaldo Alonso coming out in the first minute of the match with a quad strain.

The ensuing match was full of intense moments. Seattle scored midway through the first half with a rebound header from Freddy Montero.  But the success was short lived after Colorado equalized minutes later.  The Sounders played sporadically forcing Kasey Keller to make some of his most spectacular saves to date, but it was not enough when the Rapids scored two minutes in the second half.

With second place on the line the Sounders finally picked it up and forward Nate Jaqua, who had been a non-factor in the last two games, equalized the match at two goals apiece.  Moments later Zakuani came close to a breakaway goal but his shot was saved by the keeper and Freddy Montero, who got the rebound, was fouled at the top of the eighteen yard box for a no-call. 

Fortunately the Sounders came away with the tie and preserved their second-place slot.  However, it is clear that there must be some adjustments made to get the squad back to winning form. no comments

Time: 6:30
TV: Kong 6

So I looked at the schedule this week for the Sounders and it was a little disappointing when I saw that they were playing away from home for the second week in a row. Last week, the Sounders tied the last place team in the league 1-1, which gave the Sounders their third draw in a row. This game left fans pondering when their team would finally start to play like the successful team they were earlier in the season. Colorado is coming off of a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution.

Initially, when looking at Colorado and their record I see that they are in the middle of the pact meaning that they must be OK. However looking more closely, it is apparent that they have had the hardest schedule to start the season. With a +2 goal differential against all these teams, they are actually really good. Colorado has an offensive style of play centering the offense through Connor Casey and Omar Cummings who together have a combine total of 44 shots, 4 assists and 7 shots. These two forwards should be tough to defend for the Sounders defenders if they don't bring their top game. In the back field Colorado is a not as good and is a little unpredictable. Colorado commits many fouls, creating a lot of opportunities for the opposing team to score.

The Sounders have recently been hit with a string of injuries and suspensions that have caused some trouble in finding their true offense. Last week Steve Zakuani was very impressive creating opportunity after opportunity, however these opportunities were not executed upon. One explanation could be Ljungberg's migraine. This week Ljungberg is going to be back in the lineup along with James Riley who was out last week as well.With all starters back this week, it should serve as good look at the Sounders of the beginning of the season,

I believe with all starters back and Steve Zakuani creating countless opportunities from the wing, the Sounders will win 2-1. Let's hope they come out strong and play smart because I'm tired of going down to 10 players in a game.

Go Sounders!!
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By: Ronaldinho Hendricks


After an infuriating tie last week against the L.A. Galaxy the Sounders looked to take maximum points from this week’s game against FC Dallas.  Dallas, who is last in the league, has only won one game this season and has suffered two consecutive losses.  Despite missing Ljungberg to illness and Riley to suspension the Sounders traveled to Dallas with a very capable squad, including Montero recently returning from suspension.

The game began with much of the rhythm in Seattle’s favor.  In the 16^th minute, birthday boy and defender Jon Kennedy Hurtado scored by chipping Dallas’ keeper after a poor clearance. But not long after, the Sounders lost their spark.  There was little flow in the midfield, there were poor touches on the ball, and often the defense was suspect.  In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Dallas equalized.

The score remained 1-1 as the Sounders missed several opportunities and Brad Evans was taken off for what appeared to be a very painful and possibly serious knee injury.  Dallas however picked up their game and nearly scored at several instances.  This match begs the question; what is being done to get the Sounders back in their opening week form? no comments

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By Ronaldhino Hendrix

On a rare sunny Mother’s Day in Seattle, the Sounders faced the LA Galaxy in a match that can only be described with one word, frustration.  After an early goal from Sebastien Le Toux, the Galaxy equalized with a header from Gordon.  The game only got more enraging as time passed with several non-calls from the referee.  

One in particular was a foul on Nate Jaqua inside L.A.’s box late in the first half and no penalty shot was given.  The worst however, came in the second half when defender James Riley was sent off for participation in a fight that was incurred after a Galaxy player refused to give a ball up for a Sounders free kick.  Coach Sigi Schmid was quoted as saying, “I’m very disappointed in the ejection and I’m disappointed in the refereeing".

The Sounders were then forced to hammer out the remainder of the game with ten men and the ensuing result was a 1-1 tie.  The Sounders still sit in second place but some wins would definitely heal some of the bruises of this match. no comments