In sales parlance, one of the key phrases throughout the years has been to “close the deal.”

One of the key indicators that separates a poor (or average) sales representative and a stellar one lies in that important closing sequence, when a prospective buyer will say no and walk away or voice acceptance.  Often the narrowest of circumstances make the difference.

The Seattle Sounders can relate to the “close the deal” slogan with so many MLS contests this season. Following solid efforts, Sigi Schmid’s team has endured many ties when victories were at hand, or have seen a win or draw dissipate and defeat result.

The 2010 Sounders season got off on a positive note with an opening 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union before the home patrons.  Seattle had been favored and secured a shutout for good measure.

One week later, on April 3, a game with negative future repercussions saw the Sounders fall to the New York Red Bulls 1-0.  A decided underdog, the Red Bulls registered the match’s only score in the 21st minute via a Macoumba Kandji kick.

The nagging factor, and something that would plague the Sounders in matches to come, lay in missed opportunities.  For instance, ask any knowledgeable soccer fan what one can expect if a team record of 12 corner kicks occurs and you are likely to draw a disgusted look and a tart rejoinder of “a win, of course!”

One would naturally anticipate a win given the achievement of 12 corner kicks.  This is what the Sounders did against New York and yet still lost a 1-0 heartbreaker.

There is more.  Given the preceding fact, an alert fan would want to know how the Sounders fared in the shots taken department.  The Sounders enjoyed a commanding shots edge of 17-10.

During that important phase of the match, when Seattle could “close the deal,” the sellout throng at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field saw attempt after attempt fall short.  A hustling team effort that, based on statistics, opportunity, and sheer hustle resulted in a perplexing and highly disappointing shutout loss.

Sigi Schmid, following the match, praised his team for sharp and consistent attacking prowess, then concluded, “But I am displeased with our ability to finish.”

The Sounders next visited last year’s MLS Cup winner, Real Salt Lake.  More of the same kind of disappointment occurred as an apparent victory dissipated with a stoppage time goal for the home team and a 2-2 tie.

Yes, a tie entitles a team to a point, and while ties are harder to achieve on the road, a club that had victory in its grasp is likely to walk off the field in the manner that the Sounders did that night, looking as if they had lost.

More of the same occured during last week’s tough two road games in a three day period.  In the first match against Dallas the home team got the benefit of a penalty kick after a “phantom foul” that ESPN replay footage failed to reveal.  Talented Dallas penalty kicker Jeff Cunningham converted the opportunity by firing a bullet past a diving Steve Boss to secure the tie.

After Dallas the Sounders traveled to Toronto for a Sunday afternoon test.  Despite drawing a nasty break from the schedule makers, the Sounders looked sharp in the first half, especially on defense, as action ended at zero-zero.

In the second half Toronto star Dwayne De Rosario took charge, booting home a goal at the 58 minute mark.  Shortly thereafter in the 76th minute, De Rosario generated an assist with O’Brian White converting the goal to complete the scoring in a Toronto 2-0 triumph.

While the Sounders defense was stellar most of the way, some miscues at crucial moments resulted in two scores.  After the match both Freddie Ljungberg and Kasey Keller expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of concentration leading to the two Toronto goals.

Now it is back home for the Sounders.  In the friendly confines of Qwest Field, they will be tested next Saturday night by Sigi Schmid’s former team, the Columbus Crew.

Plenty of soccer remains during a long season. This is a club that has looked sharp through must of the early campaign action and boasts speedy attack skill via Steve Zakuani and Fredy Montero, along with experienced leadership in Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg.

The major team need is the ability to “close the deal.”

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