All eyes aimed at midfield as Sounders face Colorado

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Friday, April 17, 2015 11:14pm
  • SportsSports

Eyes will be aimed at midfield Saturday when the Seattle Sounders visit the Colorado Rapids.

This is expected to be the first match of the season when Seattle coach Sigi Schmid will have the option of starting what has projected as his first-choice midfield of Marco Pappa, Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda and Lamar Neagle.

Meanwhile, a new-look midfield is receiving much of the credit for Colorado’s defensive success so far, resulting in four shutouts over its first five games.

“They’ve really improved themselves defensively in terms of the midfield,” Schmid said. “(Marcelo) Sarvas is a new addition. (Lucas) Pittinari is a new addition. (Sam) Cronin is a new addition in there. They’ve revamped their whole defensive midfielder group.”

For the first month of the season, Colorado’s defensive mentality came at the expense of its attack. The Rapids’ first three matches were scoreless draws. That run ended April 4 when New England broke through for a pair of goals and a 2-0 win.

That left the Rapids sitting on some very uncomfortable numbers, including a 17-game winless streak dating back to last season, and a 362-minute scoreless streak to open this season — the second-longest in league history.

The streak came to an end in the second minute last week at Dallas, when Dominique Badji scored Colorado’s first league goal in six months and more than 10 hours of play.

With the dam broken, the flood came with additional goals by Dillon Powers, Gabriel Torres and Dillon Serna and a 4-0 win that the Sounders assume leaves the Rapids eager to get back out on the pitch.

“The first couple of games they were getting chances, but they just weren’t finishing,” central defender Brad Evans said Friday after his return from U.S. national team duty. “All of a sudden they explode against Dallas. So (they are) obviously dangerous on both sides of the ball. They’re defensive-minded, but also now they’ve gotten the goals underneath their belts. It’s a dangerous time to play that team.”

Unfinished chances has been a key topic in Seattle since Sunday when the Sounders fired 10 shots on target at Los Angeles — five by Neagle — but suffered a 1-0 loss.

That leaves Seattle with six goals in five games, but evenly divided between only two players: Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins.

Dempsey missed the Los Angeles match with a hamstring issue. He flew to Colorado with his teammates Saturday, but Schmid indicated that how he uses Dempsey could be a game-time decision.

There seems to be more certainty one row down, where Pineda is back from red-card suspension, Pappa is back from international duty, and Alonso is back from an early season hamstring injury. One or more of those issues has kept that unit from sharing the field so far this season.

“It can be a problem when you don’t have all the team together,” Pappa said. “But during a season you have to handle that kind of stuff. … I think I have to shoot a little bit more. The last two or three games I didn’t shoot any to the goal. … I scored (six goals last season), so I hope I can get some this year.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.