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 Sounders lay in a quick start and so it was at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field last night.  Just as the 36,219 Sounders faithful were settling in Steve Zakuani deposited a goal in the Columbus net in the fourth minute of the match.

The goal was a thing of beauty made possible by excellent team interaction.   Peter Vagenas played a ball to Fredy Montero.  Despite being knocked to the ground, Montero managed to find Freddie Ljungberg near the middle of the field. Ljungberg instantly lofted the ball over the defense for Zakuani.

Speed is Zakuani’s game and his sprint goal ward was reminiscent of a premier running back.  As he moved into close striking range 10 yards from the goal Zakuani was met by Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer.

The former Akron University star executed a nifty juke, a fake that enabled Zakuani to sprint past Hesmer and deliver the ball into the net.

It was Zakuani's third goal of the season and set a record for the fastest in Sounders  history.  Zakuani had held the club's previous record for earliest goal, having scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United on September 12, 2009.  It was Zakuani’s first home goal in 370 days and gives indication of future promise as the African player receives the benefit of continuing experience and moves into the ranks of league superstars.

The Zakuani goal enabled Montero to secure his third assist of the season while Swedish veteran Ljungberg notched his second of the 2010 MSL campaign.

Zakuani spoke later about the goal.  "In the first half of the game, I checked the clock and there were three minutes in and I hadn't touched the ball yet. So I kind of wanted to find the ball and they stepped up high and beat the outside and I was just one-on-one.

"I waited for him (Hesmer) to make a move. He didn't. He stood up well. So then I just took it around him because he had space behind him and fortunately I got around him and got a goal."

The team did not let up and remained in a sharp attacking mode, continuing until first period regulation time ended.  It was then that the Sounders team hex of 2010 resurfaced, that of stoppage time problems.

While Columbus’ most heralded player is veteran Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto, its star last night was forward Steven Lenhart.  In the 46th minute Lenhart took a cross from Danny O’Rourke and delivered a superbly placed header past Kasey Keller for his first goal of the season.

“We fell asleep right before the end of the first half and gave away a goal that we shouldn't give away,” Schmid said after the match. 

“Those things are starting to become very bothersome and something that we have to address. Overall I thought when I looked at the majority of the game I was very proud of how our team played, the effort we put in I thought was very good. We created and if we continue to play along that vein, I think luck will return to us."

Schmid also commented in his opening statement to the media,  "We obviously wanted to play more offensive, we've been working on that. We wanted to do a better job possessing the ball, creating opportunities again because in Toronto we did a little better with that but we wanted to grow. I thought the 4-3-3 suited us well. I thought we created a number of chances.”

While the blonde, powerfully constructed forward Steven Lenhart was a strong force throughout the contest, Danny O’Rourke became the most controversial player of the night.  In the 28th and 59th minutes he received yellow card warnings for reckless tackling.  In the 85th minute he received a red card and the Crew was put in the disadvantageous posture of finishing the match one player short.

Including second stanza stoppage time, the Sounders had approximately 10 minutes to take advantage of the O’Rourke banishment.  Fredy Montero delivered a goal during stoppage time but it was nullified by a foul on Sanna Nyassi.

As in the case of the disappointing 1-0 home loss to the New York Red Bulls the second game of the season, the Sounders maintained a decisive advantage in shots and corner kicks.  A goal was almost achieved in the 52nd minute when a 25-yard drive by Montero deflected off defender Andy Iro before hitting the right post.

Seattle enjoyed a 16-7 advantage on the night in shots and a 9-4 edge on corner kicks.  Each team had 3 shots on goal.

Crew Coach Robert Warzycha commented accordingly, “I think Seattle probably had the better game, they controlled the possession. They were playing pretty well; we played better in the second half. We were happy with the result."

William Hesmer, Columbus’ talented goalkeeper who made some excellent saves during the match, spoke regarding the second half and his save opportunities.  “I don't think we had our best half with the ball, but our defending has been great all year. I'm proud of our guys on how we defended throughout this season.

"We got our rhythm this second half, and I thought we were the better team the second half. I'm sure Seattle is disappointed they didn't come out of here with three points, but you have to defend. We have been successful because of our defense."

Hesmer’s counterpart, veteran Kasey Keller, made a pair of saves in the game, including a stop of Guillermo Barros Schelotto's shot from 16 yards in the 73rd minute.

The tie left Columbus unbeaten at 2-0-2 and the Sounders at 2-2-3.

The Seattle team will be back in action Saturday afternoon against another tough foe.  The Sounders host a Los Angeles Galaxy team that remains dangerous despite the harsh  blow of losing superstar David Beckham via the injury route.

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