The practice at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field Tuesday morning left Seattle Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid pleased.

It was reminiscent of last Thursday’s practice prior to Saturday night’s home clash against the New England Revolution.  The pacing and skilled effectiveness of the first half resulted in a 3-0 lead, which was ultimately the final score.

Many thought that the spirited practices leading up to the New England game proved to be a strong victory catalyst.

Schmid is hoping that the same pattern will assert itself Thursday night in Seattle as the Sounders host DC United.  With a victory, the Sounders can move up to the .500 mark.

“Well, definitely we want to do well in this game,” Schmid said in a news conference following Tuesday’s practice.  “What we did against New England was just one game. It was just one step so we have got to take a lot more steps to get ourselves back to where we want to be. But the spirit of the squad is good. I thought training today was good, the finishing was sharp. If we can continue to build upon what we did on Saturday, we will be okay.”

The Sounders coach then commented on DC United’s defense:

“Well, you make note of it but obviously, even at home last Saturday, they had a cautious game plan. So they put a lot of people behind the ball. They are really trying to limit the space that they leave behind their defense. From that standpoint, they make it difficult for you to attack and that’s sort of been the change they have undertaken over the last four or five games and that’s why they have been also rewarded with some results because they just made it harder for teams to beat them.”

As for the D.C. United personnel, Schmid said the following:

 “Obviously they have got a big striker in [Danny] Allsopp, sometimes [Adam] Cristman plays there, too. [Santino] Quaranta is back on the field for them. He’s got some cleverness and ingenuity and can open people up that way. [Chris] Pontius is a very hardworking player on the outside. The middle of their defense, when [Dejan] Jakovic and [Juan Manuel] Pena’s in there, we’re not sure if Pena’s going to play, is pretty solid; a lot of experience. I think with Jakovic he is a good, young, Canadian international, and with [Troy] Perkins they have an experienced goalkeeper. So they are a good team down the middle of the field but they are a team that hasn’t gotten a lot of results this year and as a result, they have been searching for their confidence. But as of late, they have gotten good results so their confidence has gotten better.”

DC United stands at 2-8-1 and has amassed seven points.  The team resides in the East basement and is tied with Philadelphia for the lowest point total.

After starting 0-5-0 under new coach Curt Onalfo, however, United has begun to settle in and has collected four points from its last two outings. DC drew 0-0 with MLS cup champions Real Salt Lake at home last week.

The Sounders are coming off their most impressive performance of the MLS season thus far.  The win over the New England Revolution was the same 3-0 score as the triumph in the friendly with Boca Juniors, which also drew praise.

Seattle is bidding to win two in a row for the first time in 2010. The team stands at 4-5-3 and has garnered 15 points.

The Sounders are 4-2-1 against teams in the MLS Eastern Conference. A win would vault Seattle from a tie for sixth in the West to fourth.

Thursday’s contest will be carried live nationally via ESPN2.

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Fredy Montero is someone who got his first pro soccer tryout with Deportivo Cali at the age of 13. He impressed enough to be signed after just one session.

In the manner of accomplished athletes, the Sounders striker embellishes on natural talent with solid effort and a determined resolve to achieve.  He is a player who will unabashedly set goals and talk about them.

A forward known for his blazing speed, Montero is determined to convert scoring opportunities into goals. 

After the recent 3-0 friendly win against Boca Juniors at the Xbox pitch at Qwest Field, I caught up with him and asked if he had a scoring goal/projection for the current MLS campaign.

“My objective is to score 20 goals,” he quickly replied.  “Playing soccer in Colombia with a shorter season I would have a goal more like 12 or 14 goals.  But in Major League Soccer there is a longer season.  Because it is longer my goal is to score 20 goals.”

Saturday night the Sounders played its best half of the season.  The team scored three first half goals en route to an impressive 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution.  Montero supplied one of the goals. 

Fellow striker Steve Zakuani scored a goal as well, leaving the speedy duo tied for the team lead with four goals apiece.

Montero also garnered an assist on the evening, leaving the Colombian with four on the season.  In reaching that status, he is the team leader in assists.

When I caught up with Montero after practice on the Xbox pitch Tuesday, it was only natural to ask him about his status as team leader in the vital assist category.

Montero’s achievement in assists begged the question of whether he had set a seasonal goal in that category as he had earlier for scores.  The Colombian Comet had a quick response.

“Yes, I have a goal for assists,” he replied.  “My goal for the season is to achieve 10 assists.”

So now Montero has set his goals for scores and assists at 20 and 10 respectively.

Montero excels at moving the ball into position and scoring as well as taking advantage of set piece situations with his booming legs.

In terms of practice sessions, I asked Montero, is one area more demanding than the other, affording extra time?  How are practice sessions prioritized?

“We spend our practice sessions in game type situations,” Montero explained.  “We devote a comparable amount of time to the different areas of the game.  Time is spent on set pieces and moving play.  The idea is to prepare ourselves for game play.”

On the subject of role models for the young Fredy Montero, as he played soccer with his friends in his native Colombia and dreamt about a major league professional career, two names came immediately to mind.  Both played for one of the most famous names in international soccer.

It was no surprise that an eventual major league soccer player from Colombia would demonstrate an interest in two players from Real Madrid, a premier Spanish team for years.

“A favorite player of mine was Raul Gonzalez of Real Madrid,” Montero said.

Raul Gonzalez Blanco, known simply as Raul, was a brilliant striker—the same position as Montero plays.  He is the leading scorer in the history of that storied franchise and three times won the UEFA Champions League.

Montero picked another celebrated name as someone he paid close attention to during his early days of play in Colombia.

“I was a big fan of Ronaldo during his Real Madrid days,” Montero revealed.

In setting his own sights high, Montero unsurprisingly had role models who were great achievers.  Ronaldo became the youngest player in history to win the FIFA “Player of the Year Award” and the only one to win it two years in succession, garnering honors in 1996 and 1997.

Fredy Montero is a player of burning determination with set goals.

He was named “Newcomer of the Year” in the MLS for 2009, and has established high standards for himself in his sophomore season of 2010 as he seeks to help propel the Seattle Sounders into the playoffs.

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The FC Seattle Sounders made a splash last year in their inaugural year in the MLS.

The celebrity ownership of Drew Carey, sponsorship from X-Box, signings of Freddie Ljungberg and Kasey Keller, and, finally, playing in new Qwest Field all made for a massive, and impressive, unveiling of the Seattle soccer team.

Both on the field and in the stands, Seattle provided an example of just how big an MLS team's launch can be, constantly exhibiting massive crowds and an impressive team showing. It even found a star-in-the-making in Fredy Montero.

When Portland joins the MLS in 2011, it will hope to match the success of its upstate neighbors.

But don't expect a repeat of the Seattle strategy.

Yes, the Timbers secured $30 million dollars to renovate PGE Park. It will now be strictly a soccer stadium (the AAA Portland Beavers baseball club is rumored to be moving to Beaverton. I sincerely hope they will rename the team the "Beaverton Beavers".)

No word exactly on what the renovations will entail, but it's already confirmed that they'll be installing stands along the east-end. Some of the stands will be covered and some will not. There will also be a restaurant strictly for east-end ticket holders.

For everyone's sake, let us pray that they replace the PGE turf will something that doesn't resemble the green sandpaper that the team is currently forced to  endure.

I have no idea if they'll be replacing the current video screen. It would be a welcome change to actually have the ability to see a replay without the use of binoculars.

But it's the product on the field that will bring about the most questions.

My sources indicate that Portland won't be signing a designated player unless it's someone that will make a "substantial difference in both the gate and on-field performance." So, unless Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes running, don't expect any known players to be in Timber green.

The other early whispers are that the Timber's scouts have already made three trips to England and two to Africa to secure players.

That is interesting.

After the Boca Juniors game, I'm sure many Timber's fans were hoping the scouts would have frequent flier miles to the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Chile. The South Americans definitely provide an ample amount of entertaining play and an offensive mind-set.

Normally when one hears of "English style," it brings to mind the long ball and defensive play of Jack Charlton, who most famously bored half the world to death while managing the Ireland side in the 1994 World Cup.

I'm not sure if that terminology still applies to English style soccer. The English, known for hard tackling, hustle, and aggression, have come a long way in the past decade.

Could Michael Owen soon be hearing the chants of the 107st? Hmmm....

I personally wouldn't mind seeing the Timber's play an English style. It suits the mood and character of Portland. It rains here as much as it does in England and we're the micro-brewery capital of the world. If the players can't win, they can sure as heck drink like they were back in England.

And I, for one, never tire of the 'cleat's up' brand of soccer.

Thankfully, the leadership of the MLS hasn't followed the suicidal mindset of the EPL and almost every other soccer league on the planet, where seemingly every club is financially strapped and the top standings are dominated by a couple of clubs every.....single.....year.

Although Seattle has money, it won't make a difference in terms of signing players. Portland can still field a decent side.

Gavin Wilkerson, the current coach, will become Technical Director. I like Gavin and I sincerely hope he remains very involved with the team and player development. The Timbers haven't named their next manager. Undoubtedly this will have a massive impact on the style of play, as well as the players, on the team next year.

It's obvious to anyone that the Timber's players are feeling the heat and playing for spots on next year's side. They to dominate possession and shots on goal every game, only to either tie or lose 1-0.

I've never seen so many balls hit the goals posts. The boys just seem to be trying too hard.

Early favorites to join the squad next year have to include Ryan Pore, Alex Nimo, and perhaps Stephen Keel. Steve Cronin is still a massive question mark.

There's no question in my mind that the rivalry with Seattle will reach biblical proportions. Anyone who attended the Seattle-Portland game last year at PGE saw first-hand that there is a natural animosity between these cities.

The Seattle side seem to be taking on the personality of a corporate company man, with all the soul of a decaffeinated latte. Portland will, hopefully, maintain it's identify of the tattoo branded methadone addict.

Can't wait for 2011.

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Life as an expansion team in professional sports is rarely rewarding, but despite the fact that the Philadelphia Union are currently 2-6-1 and 14 points behind division-leading Red Bull in the league standings, their supporters still love them.

Just five hours after single game tickets went on sale for home games at PPL Park, the Philadelphia Union’s first match in their new stadium sold out.

The Union is scheduled to actually play their first game at PPL Park at 5pm on June 27 against the Seattle Sounders.

“The incredible reaction we just saw to the first match at PPL Park reaffirms once again the excitement and passion that we witnessed from Union fans during our first two home games,” said Union CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz.

As a matter of fact, the team is already accepting $50 deposits to join the season ticket waiting list for the 2011 season. These deposits can later be applied to tickets when and if they become available.  

There is a limit of six season tickets per account.

Individual and group (15 or more) tickets for all other matches at PPL Park are still available. Individual tickets range from $25 for corner seats through $150 for field level seats, while group tickets range from $20 for corner seats through $35 for sideline seats.

I know that my sons and I are looking forward to watching the first game at PPL Park from our corner seats in section 107. 

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuion!!!!

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On a rain drenched turf at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon, it's a 0-0 game between the Portland Timbers and Carolina Railhawks. Although dominating for most of the game, the Timbers have yet to break-through.

Then, in the fifty-eighth minute, an opening presents itself. Ryan Pore sprints down the left side of the pitch to a patch of open space fifteen yards in front of the Railhawk's goal.

Bright Dike, a Timber's forward, slips through a pass to the sprinting Pore. He has the ball and a clear shot at goal.

At a time when many players, given that amount of space and time, will choke and pull the ball up and shoot right at the keeper, Pore calmly takes aim and rocks a bullet into the left side of the goal.

Ryan Pore is never the fastest guy on the pitch.

Nor is he the quickest.

Other players possess a more deft touch.

What Ryan Pore possesses is the inexplicable ability to consistently be in the right place at the right time.

As well as a bit of ice water in his veins.

It's a combination of innate instincts and good-old fashioned hard work that brings success to Pore's way.

Remind you of a certain mid-fielder that currently plays for Liverpool?

Only rather than playing to sold-out crowds at Anfield, he plays to passionate, yet smaller crowds, at PGE Park for the second division Portland Timbers.

This season, he's lighting it up for the Timbers, scoring an amazing eight our of their 10 total team goals. Yes, Ryan Pore is responsible for 80 percent of the Timber's goal output, something even Gerrard, or Fernando Torres, could never hope to replicate.

Pore isn't just fighting for a starting job, or the Golden Boot award for the USL (United States League), he's fighting for a job next year when the Timbers join the MLS. 

Pore was chosen in the second round of the 2005 MLS Superdraft by the Kansas City Wizards. He spent three productive, but ultimately unremarkable, years with the Wizards. Scoring just three goals in 58 games, he signed a two-year contract with Portland in March 2009 that runs through the 2010 season. 

It was heady times for the two-time All American at the University of Tulsa. For the first time he wasn't one of the better players on the pitch. He began fighting for his professional life.

Since joining the Timbers, Pore has scored an amazing 18 goals. He continually finds space and the back of the net.

He's certainly the best player on the Timber's in a frustrating year for the storied franchise.

And yet, this is it for Ryan Pore.

If he's left off the Timber's roster next season, he falls into soccer purgatory with a long list of players with good talent, but not enough to ultimately make a living as a professional.

He's certainly making a case for himself.

Pore is one of those players who seems to see the play before it actually happens. He anticipates, rather than reacts, and is seemingly always in the right place at the right time. When an opportunity does present itself, he generally capitalizes and hits his mark.

He doesn't blow past defenders. He doesn't juke them out of their cleats. He simply possesses excellent technical skills and a keen knowledge of the game.

I think there should be a spot for him next year. He's played in the MLS, is familiar with the Portland coaching staff, and should make a solid player at the next level.

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There's no shortage of spirit for the team, just a shortage of people who have it.

While sitting in the partially filled front section during the game, it's hard to believe that it was RFK Stadium that saw Joe Gibbs lead the Redskins to four NFC Championships and three Super Bowl wins.

Since 1996, RFK Stadium has hosted the MLS club, DC United.  Championed for its great players and previous success, currently the seats of RFK seem all the more empty.

This was no different Saturday, as the United match ended with a 0-0 tie to Real Salt Lake, making their record 2-8-1, the Eastern Conference's worst.

It's even more discouraging that after 15 seasons, the DC United are in the process of planning a move to Maryland.  

So, what are the empty seats really saying?

Are they saying that the United States will never accept soccer as a viable major sport? Do they illustrate how Washingtonians are dismayed at the fact that their once prestigious soccer team has fallen by the wayside?  Or are they just simply frustrated that owner Victor MacFarlane decided that DC wasn't worth his time anymore?

It's hard to understand what these seats are saying, but there's no doubt they wreak of beer.

So, as the 45,000 seat stadium contrasts the dismal crowd, it's down right depressing to know these die-hard, chant-screaming, face-painting fans in attendance will soon see an end to a very successful MLS Club.  

Or is it sadder to realize that you probably have never heard of this team before, even though it has been one of the premiere teams of the MLS?

World Cup fever or not, I think those empty seats are really screaming that the United States will never invite soccer to come out and play.

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There's no shortage of spirit for the team, just a shortage of people who have it.

While sitting in the partially filled front section during the game, it's hard to believe that it was RFK Stadium that saw Joe Gibbs lead the Redskins to four NFC Championships and three Super Bowl wins.

Since 1996, RFK Stadium has hosted the MLS club, DC United.  Championed for its great players and previous success, currently the seats of RFK seem all the more empty.

This was no different Saturday, as the United match ended with a 0-0 tie to Real Salt Lake, making their record 2-8-1, the Eastern Conference's worst.

It's even more discouraging that after 15 seasons, the DC United are in the process of planning a move to Maryland.  

So, what are the empty seats really saying?

Are they saying that the United States will never accept soccer as a viable major sport? Do they illustrate how Washingtonians are dismayed at the fact that their once prestigious soccer team has fallen by the wayside?  Or are they just simply frustrated that owner Victor MacFarlane decided that DC wasn't worth his time anymore?

It's hard to understand what these seats are saying, but there's no doubt they wreak of beer.

So, as the 45,000 seat stadium contrasts the dismal crowd, it's down right depressing to know these die-hard, chant-screaming, face-painting fans in attendance will soon see an end to a very successful MLS Club.  

Or is it sadder to realize that you probably have never heard of this team before, even though it has been one of the premiere teams of the MLS?

World Cup fever or not, I think those empty seats are really screaming that the United States will never invite soccer to come out and play.

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“Now about what we should have done … “

The speaker was Seattle Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid at the postgame press conference following his team’s impressive 3-0 shutout victory Saturday night over the New England Revolution at the Xbox pitch of Qwest Field.

Schmid stopped himself and smiled, having played his little joke on the media.

“Oh, I was so used to talking about what we should have done right,” he smiled, prompting laughter from the group.

How much easier to laugh, how far more delightful things are after you have scored an impressive win with a superb balance of offense and defense as the home team unveiled Saturday.

Schmid was jokingly referring to those moments following good efforts with solid defense and decent ball possession when the kicks did not fall into the net and a 270 minute MLS home scoreless streak resulted.

The Sounders coach was plainly delighted with Saturday’s effort and was delighted over the productive three goal output in the first half and a 19-2 goal edge over the course of 90 minutes against an Eastern Conference foe that had tasted victory twice against the Emerald City crew last season.

“We created opportunities and were in a good opportunity to strike,” Schmid said.  “I was pleased with our effort.”

Did he do anything differently in preparing for this game considering the scoring difficulties that had plagued the team?

“No, except that we put the 4-4-2 into effect,” he replied.

Schmid paid tribute to recently deceased basketball coaching giant John Wooden, someone he knew personally and admired.

“I was a student at UCLA when John Wooden was winning championships and I got to meet him,” Schmid, who became UCLA soccer coach at 27, recalled. 

“I was a friend of one of Wooden’s top players, Sidney Wicks.  It was such a pleasure to speak to Coach Wooden since he was such a great motivator and had so many encouraging things to say.  After his death I have been getting all kinds of e-mails from people I knew at UCLA who also knew Coach Wooden and were so inspired by him.”

Captain Kasey Keller in speaking to the media following Thursday’s workout on the Xbox pitch expressed satisfaction with the way that the Sounders defense had performed thus far in the season.

Keller added on that occasion that while the team had given up few goals during the campaign that it would be nice to see a shutout.  His wish was fulfilled two days later with the 3-0 blanking of Eastern Conference rival New England.

“I was really happy with the team’s effort,” an elated Keller noted after the game.  “You know, New England is a very dangerous team.  New England is excellent at achieving goals from set pieces.  You have to try to prevent a team from being able to capitalize on its strengths.”

As one looking toward the future, Keller believes that this is a victory to savor but that there is another important game next week.

“This was a good win and it is something for the players and fans to celebrate,” Keller acknowledged, “but we also have to remember that there is another game coming up next Thursday night against D.C. United.  We want to be in the best position possible heading into the World Cup break.”

The key win over New England pushed the Sounders just one win from the .500 mark.  They stand at 4-5-3 with 15 points while New England has amassed a record of 3-7-2 with 11 points.

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It was one of those dramatic moments, the kind often captured in the better sports films.

A player stepped into the spotlight at a key moment and provided the victory-launching spark in an important, team-defining game.

Such was the case with Costa Rican defender Leo Gonzalez, who gave his team that needed spark with an early goal that set the tone for the rest of the game.

The momentum fueled the Seattle Sounders in their 3-0 shutout victory over the New England Revolution at the Xbox pitch of Qwest Field Saturday night.

A crowd of 36,344, the largest to watch an MLS Sounders home match this season, felt the electricity of the moment when Gonzalez delivered his goal.

A symbolic fog lifted over the stadium as the Sounders scoring slump evaporated. 

Gonzalez’ timely goal shattered a 270 minute home scoreless drought in MLS play.

His contribution was anticipated, based on recent efforts. In the disappointing 1-0 road loss to the Colorado Rapids last week, in which the Sounders defense performed capably, Gonzalez demonstrated solid instinct.

The rangy defender repelled, compromising Colorado opportunities on numerous occasions.

On Saturday, those instincts went to work early on the offensive side of the ball, near the Revolution goal. It was another one of those opportunities that the Sounders have had lately that fell short of goals, near misses.

But this time, there was a solid connecting pattern that resulted in one of the most important Seattle scores of the season.

At the five minute mark, a golden opportunity surfaced with the Sounders in close striking range of the New England goal.

Fredy Montero whipped a crisp pass to fellow striker Steve Zakuani.

The African forward zipped the ball to Gonzalez, who was in superb position at the top corner of the box. Gonzalez delivered a swift and true left-footer from 15 yards out into the net, past Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.

There was much more to come in the action-packed first half. 

Zakuani had supplied the winning feed to Gonzalez. Now it was time for him to score a goal of his own.

The goal was realized at the 24 minute mark. Montero sent a quick throw-in to midfielder Brad Evans. Evans chested the ball and Zakuani gained possession, slamming home a netter for his fourth goal of the season.

With Zakuani scoring his fourth goal of the season, it was only natural for fellow striker, Colombian Fredy Montero, to seek to keep pace.

Montero booted a right footer from the top of the box for his fourth score of the season, on assists from Pat Noonan and the busy Gonzalez, at the 42 minute mark.

Montero and Zakuni share the team lead with four goals. The Colombian leads Seattle with four assists.

There might not have been any scoring in the second half, but there were certainly opportunities.  

Freddie Ljungberg, who demonstrated excellent hustle from his midfielder position, had a particularly good look and came close to a score. The Sounders had several other good looks.

Seattle's shot domination told the story of how zealously the offense pressed the issue for the full 90 minutes. It was 19-2.

The 19 shots, eight of which were on goal, were a team record.

The Sounders have one more game before the World Cup break. They play at home against D.C. United on Thursday. The nationally televised game (ESPN2 has the call), is scheduled for a 7 PM Pacific Time start.

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Well, for any New England Revolution fan, last night’s 0-3 disaster versus the Seattle Sounders was the salt in an already wounded season. 

But enough is enough already…

It might have been enough that the Revs were outplayed from whistle to whistle.
Revs fans have seen that movie before.  Though when Shalrie is on the field, it hurts that much more.

It might have been enough that Seattle has a "designated player" that adds significant value.  Did you notice “aging” Freddie Ljungberg (born 1977) create a dangerous chance by running right around Chris Tierney (born 1986) at the end line last night?  But, yes, I know…the Revs don’t need a designated player, they have a “balanced roster.”

It might have been enough that little Fredy Montero played with skill, guile, and trickery that Revolution fans haven’t seen since Clint Dempsey’s days in Foxboro. At this point, Revs fans don’t really even expect such play.

It might have been enough that Seattle’s goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, has probably played in more European first-division leagues than New England’s Bobby Shuttleworth has played in professional games (yeah, yeah, injuries…).

It might have been enough to see Taylor Twellman’s ex-strike partner, Pat Noonan, starting up front for Seattle and looking sharp (though perhaps not as sharp as second-year Steve Zakuani), while Taylor Twellman and his large chunk of our salary cap has played about two games in two years.

It could have been enough that the Seattle goals were magnificent displays of skill and/or composure.  Both things that the Revolution had trouble showing anywhere on the field.

Yes, that could have all been enough to make Revolution fans crazy.

But no, that wasn’t where it ended.

It ended with an unmatched atmosphere of roughly 35,000 fans. It ended with return-call chants of “Seattle” then “Sounders” reverberating through the stadium.   It ended with an atmosphere that the Revolution are so far from developing that it is hard to imagine it ever happening.

Is this news? No. Frankly, I’ve opined about Seattle being my “Major League (Soccer) Mistress ” before.

But dear Revolution front office…Dear MLS…You need to do something.
And you need to do it soon.

The team is called the “Revolution” but the way things are going what you might get is a revolution from the (already sparse) fans.

And that would be like rubbing salt in the already obvious wound.

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