Sigi Schmid's team had been plagued with injuries earlier in the season, but it appears that the Seattle Sounders players are healing just in time to make a run at a playoff spot.

Schmid was happy with the play of his team in the 2-1 win over Colorado on Sunday.  He stated that the crucial victory was aided by the support of the Xbox Pitch Qwest Field fans.

He commented on the fan support in the context of a question relating to the differences in the two matches against Colorado.  The first road game resulted in a 1-0 loss on a Connor Casey goal while Sunday’s meeting resulted in a 2-1 Sounders victory on two Steve Zakuani goals.

"The first matchup was Jeff Parke, I think his first game, first or second game for our team,” Schmid said.  “His legs weren't under him at that point. So that was something we felt much better about. We really tried to do a better job of forcing their center backs to make the game for them. Early on, I think that worked well for us. I think they adjusted a little bit to it.

“But for us it's really not so much about the tactical changes, just the grit and determination that we showed. And that we played with. When we come out and do that, then our crowd gets behind us and our crowd was fantastic tonight. When we're working hard and we're giving them what they want, which is hard work on the field and then they respond to that by cheering like they do it becomes a catharsis that makes us a dangerous team at home. And that's what we want to get back to as well, becoming that home team. It's not so much tactical changes, it's creating that catharsis with our crowd, it was fantastic tonight, and making our home field a place where people don't want to play."

Once more, Captain Kasey Keller had a stellar performance, which his coach saluted:

"I thought he had a couple of good saves. He saved the one header that he tipped over the bar in the first half and the reaction save coming back to his left. That's just a great save. I guess you don't want to become used to it but sometimes Kasey is such a fundamentally sound goalkeeper that you're almost surprised if he doesn't make the save. He definitely came up with some big saves that kept us in the game, at a big part of the game and that's what you need your goalkeeper to do."

With more players returning following injuries, Coach Schmid has noticed a difference in his defense, which is becoming notably tighter:

"In order to play offense you've got to get the ball and in order to get the ball you have to play good defense. We've given up way too many goals this year, that's one of the big differences between our team this year and last year, and we needed to tighten that up. I think we've tightened that up. We continue to work on it. There's times where it still needs to be better, but obviously today was [Osvaldo] Alonso's first game back. He played very well, but himself, [Nathan] Sturgis, [Michael] Seamon haven't had a ton of games in that position. We haven't been able to keep the same unit together. Sanna Nyassi came in today and started, played very well for us on the right hand side. It's a matter of tightening up that middle and as the guys get used to each other, get more games with each other as a unit, they'll become even better."

After quickly savoring the victory over the Colorado Rapids, Sigi Schmid went back to work preparing for more matches amid a busy schedule.

“There are a lot of games coming up but they’re tough games,“ Schmid said.  “We have got to look at it from game to game. We have got to see who’s healthy, who recovers well. There’s some close competition on the team for starting positions, so sometimes playing the other guy is not something where I consider it first team and second team. I think it’s more an opportunity for somebody to play. So we have got to manage our roster a little bit over these games. The important thing is we want to win them all. We want to beat Metapán on Wednesday. That’s a really important game for us because getting into the Champions League group stage is something that we want to achieve for this club.”

Coach Schmid also explained the significance of the CONCACAF Champions League:

“The main reason this tournament is important is because, at the end of the day, in order to play in the World Club championship, which is the champions of Europe, the champions of South America, the champions of Asia, Africa and our confederation, CONCACAF, as well as Oceana or Australia, whatever they are called now, in order to play in that, you have to win the championship of our region.

“That gives us the opportunity to play against the Manchester United’s and the Barcelona’s of the world, if they win their championships. So we have got to get through this stage to play in that. That’s something I think every player dreams of. It’s a lot of bonus money as well for the players to get to that stage.”

Schmid also explored the significance of the fans in the context of the CONCACAF competition:

“As for the fans, I think getting into the group stage then provides them with some attractive foreign opponents. To get a team from Mexico up here to play a game that is meaningful, not for an exhibition game, I think is something different. I think the game Wednesday is going to be exciting. Metapán has done well in El Salvador the past two or three years and it allows us to measure ourselves internationally, which is something you get to do in Europe all the time but you don’t get to do with us. So it’s Champions League come to our hemisphere.”

Between the exciting MLS season and the challenge of seeking a playoff spot, along with the opportunity to play on the international stage, Sounders fans are in for a rich soccer treat as the season progresses.

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