It was not pretty. Matches against Houston seldom are. They say that the best teams find ways to win. The boys in green are 2-0 for the first time since 2009…and the five goals in two matches is a far cry from the slow offensive start last year. And Seattle retains their unbeaten streak against Houston at home. Houston has never, ever won in Seattle. May that streak against the Creamsicles last for the next several hundred years.
The Houston match was everything we thought it would be: Slow, chippy, and physical. While Estrada’s fourth(!) of the season really kinda looked like an own-goal to us, we’re not about to complain to the scorers. Evans’ PK pretty much sealed Houston’s fate (although, again, the PK was awarded for the sort of stuff that goes on during every set piece you’ve ever seen. No complaints.)
Missing captain Mauro Rosales clearly had an effect on our playmaking. While no one will ever accuse Roger Levesque of not giving 110% ever minute he’s on the pitch, enthusiasm and heart don’t always make up for vision and skill. Against Houston, which was always going to be a grind, perhaps that creativity wouldn’t have been as missed as it would have been against a team like RSL or LA.
The defense looked pretty good, but the part that made us happy was watching Gspurning make two solid saves, and seeing him start to bark at his defense when they weren’t where he thought they should be. Sounders are becoming his team, and that appears to be one less thing to worry about.
It takes a few matches together to really come together as a team, especially with so many new faces. Being able to win while you’re doing that can make the difference in the Supporters Shield race. Too early to start counting chickens…but it’s better to win your first two than lose your first two any way you look at it.
This week, the Smurfs come to RBP, where, last year, they tried (and failed) to spoil Kasey Keller’s going away party. San Jose usually plays an entirely different style from Houston. Fast, always moving forward attack…and with Golden Boot Wondolowski up front, why wouldn’t you play that way? Houston managed to steal a point (1-0 on a PK…) in San Jose before coming here, but San Jose managed to pound a tired Toronto 3-0 this past week.
Completely opposite last week, expect this game to be less grindy, and more open. While no one will mistake San Jose for RSL or LA, San Jose has been known to put up decent goal totals, but they are very, very streaky. Our defense could find San Jose a good test…or not.
2012 Membership Kits – Sold In Stadium and Online
We’re making it easier than ever to join our ranks in 2012! We began selling memberships in the stadium March 7th against Santos Laguna (from 90 minutes to 15 minutes to kickoff). Thanks to all those who made it out and helped us test our new system and we patient while waiting in lines. This week we’ll have a few more tweaks that should help smooth out the process! Please note that during the months of March and April we will only be selling ECS memberships at the merchandise table. We will not have extra t-shirts or scarfs.
If you can’t make it by the table to pick up your gear we’ll ship it to you. Pricing is $30 if you want to purchase in the stadium and $40 for us to mail it to you (note: all purchases in the stadium are credit card only; we will not accept cash at CenturyLink Field). As in years past all kits include a shirt, scarf and membership card.
Gear will be able for purchase from 90 minutes before kick to 15 minutes before kick. The ECS membership and information table will be conveniently located on the 100-level concourse behind section 122.
Head here for more info:
http://www.weareecs.com/join/
Where to Watch Outside Seattle:
The So-Cal Sound is meeting at Grunions Pub in Manhattan Beach - 1501 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. (310) 545-9910.
Bay-Area supporters are meeting at The Swinging Door in San Mateo. 106 East 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403. (650) 522-9800.
The Heartland Horde is meeting at Zum Biergarten German Restaurant in Bellevue, Nebraska. 513 Fort Crook Road North, Bellevue, NE 68005. (402) 733-1900.
Recap:
PREFUNK @ Fuel, McCoy’s Firehouse or Temple Billiards
Fuel
164 S. Washington St
Seattle, WA 98104
206-405-FUEL
21+ only
McCoy’s Firehouse Bar
173 S. Washington St
Seattle, WA 98104
206-652-5797
All ages friendly
Temple Billiards
126 South Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104-2821
206-682-3242
21+
Details/Times:
16:00 Find your pub
18:00 March to the Match
19:00 Kickoff
See you on the terraces,
ECS Leadership
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