2011 Feb 8

Plenty of preseason cards and goals as Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake play to a draw

Preseason training match:
Seattle Sounders FC  3 - 3  Real Salt Lake
Grande Sports World, Casa Grande, AZ

Goals:
3' SEA: Lamar Neagle

37' SL: Javier Morales
90' SEA: O'Brian White (Erik Friberg)
97' SL: Collen Warner (Luis Gil, Donny Toia)
99' SL: Collen Warner
110' SEA: Fredy Montero (PK)

Seattle: Terry Boss (Josh Ford 45', Bryan Meredith 80'); Danny Earls (Tyson Wahl 62'), Patrick Ianni (Jeff Parke 62'), Leone Cruz (Roger Levesque 45', James Riley 80'), Zach Scott (Jhon Kennedy Hurtado 62'); Miguel Montaño (Michael Tetteh 45', Steve Zakuani 80'), Servando Carrasco (Osvaldo Alonso 62'), Jonathan Prieto (Erik Friberg 56'), David Estrada (Alvaro Fernandez 62'); Seedy Bah (Mike Fucito 45', O'Brian White 80'), Lamar Neagle (Fredy Montero 62').

Salt Lake: Nick Rimando (Tim Melia 80'); Chris Wingert (Tony Beltran 45'), Jamison Olave (Jamie Cunningham 80'), Nat Borchers (Rauwshan McKenzie 80'), Robbie Russell (Luis Gil 80'); Ned Grabavoy (Nelson González 69'), Kyle Beckerman (David Flores 80'), Javier Morales (Mikey Orellana 80'), Andy Williams (Nico Muniz 80'); Alvaro Saborio (Collen Warner 62'), Paulo Jr (Donny Toia 80').


Match report from Sounders FC:

Six goals were scored in 110 minutes as the Seattle Sounders FC battled to a 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake in its second training game of 2011 on Tuesday at Grande Sports World.

Invitee Lamar Neagle, newcomer O'Brian White and forward Fredy Montero were the goal scorers for Sounders FC. It was White's first goal in Rave Green.

Seattle jumped out to an early lead behind Neagle's goal in the 3rd minute. Neagle beat Nat Borchers to a backpass and slid a low shot past goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

Real Salt Lake answered in the 37th minute when Javier Morales found the net on a free kick from 25 yards out. Morales put the ball around the Seattle wall and inside the far post.

Terry Boss played in net for the first 45 minutes and made several saves on Real Salt Lake's starters. Strong goalkeeping continued for both sides through the second period as neither team was able to score. Rookie goalkeeper Josh Ford turned away a handful of shots for Sounders FC.

Seattle took the lead back in the third period with a goal by White. Osvaldo Alonso and Erik Friberg combined and played White into the box who popped a shot over goalkeeper Tim Melia to put Sounders FC up 2-1.

Real Salt Lake was able to equalize again as Collen Warner beat goalkeeper Bryan Meredith with a strike inside the far post in the 17th minute of the third period. Just two minutes later, Warner found the back of the net again when he sent a hard strike into the upper corner from outside the 18-yard box.

Down 3-2 with just minutes left, Steve Zakuani continued to pressure Real Salt Lake's defense, resulting in a handball in the box on defender Jamie Cunningham. Montero stepped up and converted the penalty kick in the final minutes of play to tie the match, 3-3.

Misconduct:
29' SL: Olave cautioned
32' SL: Grabavoy cautioned
60' SEA: Carrasco cautioned
69' SEA and RL: Alonso and Grabavoy cautioned, Grabavoy sent off for his second caution
76' SL: Paulo Jr cautioned


Postmatch Quotes

Seattle Sounders FC

Sigi Schmid - Head Coach

On the training game: "It was good. We wanted to see some guys who we are trying to make decisions on get a few more minutes today, especially because we trained pretty hard yesterday in the two sessions. We decided to rest a couple of guys like Evans and Seamon and not play some guys a lot of minutes like Riley and Zakuani. Overall I thought the young guys did well against a very experienced team. They sort of held their own, came up with some big saves by Terry Boss in that period, but I thought we held our own and did alright. Obviously then the last period was sort of the reverse. It was our first team against their guys and they end up scoring two really good goals. We ended up scoring two goals and we probably deserved one or two more based on the run. But it was a fair result and we saw what we needed to see."

On the Sounders FC younger players: "They work really hard. The thing you know is they realize their backs are against the wall so they bring a lot of energy and they are going to work really hard. Obviously you want to see the quality as well as the work and you see some of that as well. Lamar Neagle scores a good goal in that combination. Danny Earls has shown himself to be a very feisty, competitive left back and has done well in those areas. Servando Carrasco can still learn a lot from Ozzie but he's got a competitive nature and strikes a good ball. He's going against Morales, that's not an easy guy to say, 'Go ahead and play 60 minutes there,' and he did and he played well."

On Erik Friberg: "Erik is certainly, without Evans last year and I think Nate Sturgis played really well for us last year and does what Nate Sturgis does, but Erik Friberg is more a player in the mold of Evans where he is going to fill the gap, he is going to make those runs forward and that's something that Erik certainly did. That helps us and that creates some things. He missed on a couple of passes but the ball he hit inside to O'Brian was a good ball and you'll see those things. And if we got Evans and him out there on the field together that could be really exciting."

On O'Brian White: "He scored a goal. He is big and strong and once he gets a guy on his hip it's tough for them to get the ball off of him. He's still working into his fitness, that's why we kept him today at 30 minutes but I think once he recovers and once his legs really get under him I think he is going to be somebody, like I said earlier, we are going to have more joy on him as we move forward in Seattle. But he is certainly playing well. He scored a goal again today so that's a good thing."


Match report from Real Salt Lake:

Real Salt Lake twice fell behind, yet also managed to lose a lead during a 3-3 exhibition draw against fellow MLS Western Conference side Seattle Sounders FC this afternoon at the Grande Sports World training complex.

In a 110-minute affair played across three periods (45/35/30), RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis continued to build towards CONCACAF Champions League play in just two weeks' time against Columbus, playing the bulk of his starting XI for 80 minutes, during which time the teams played to a 1-1 stalemate. The goals would come fast and furious in the last 30-minute stanza, when MF Collen Warner bagged a pair of goals two minutes apart to pull the Claret-and-Cobalt even and into the lead in the 97th and 99th minutes, respectively. However, a last-gasp attack by Sounders FC would lead to a penalty kick conversion from FW Fredy Montero in the final minute, forcing a share of the spoils on the day.

The preseason affair got off to an ominous start for the Utahans just three minutes in, when Seattle striker Lamar Neagle picked off a back pass by DF Robbie Russell 30 yards from goal before fighting off the challenge of DF Nat Borchers and slotting low and inside GK Nick Rimando's left post to push Seattle ahead early. Putting the early lapse behind it, Real Salt Lake would build confidence in its attack through long stretches of possession and tight passing, paying off in the 37th minute when a build-up ended with a foul just outside the Sounders FC penalty area. With the ball sitting just 20 yards from goal it was no surprise that MF Javier Morales would get the opportunity to hit one of his patented free kicks, and the Argentine would oblige, dipping his shot over the wall and inside the left post to tie the match at 1-1.

While the scoring would dry up in the second period, that was certainly not the case in the third, when the younger side of RSL's roster and a handful of the team's RSL-Arizona U-18 Academy members and guest players meshed well and went toe-to-toe with SSFC's first team. The explosion towards goal started in the 90th minute when ex-Toronto FC striker O'Brian White would finish off a quick counter-attack after another RSL turnover, once again giving Seattle the lead, this time at 2-1. But Warner would bring RSL back in fine fashion seven minutes later, accepting a perfectly chipped pass from MF Luis Gil in the outer corner of the area before turning to the endline and rifling a shot past Seattle 'keeper Bryan Meredith to even the proceedings at 2-2.

Only two minutes later it was RSL taking advantage of a defensive miscue by Seattle, with Warner stealing the ball 25 yards from goal and firing past Meredith once again, this time from outside the area, to give RSL its first lead of the day at 3-2. But just when it looked Real Salt Lake would escape with the win, Seattle's last run down the field would earn a spot kick, as guest player DF Jamie Cunningham did well to track back inside the area to block a certain 1-v-1 attempt on GK Tim Melia, but his sliding attempt saw him trap the ball underneath him with his hand, leading to an immediate point to the spot. Montero would finish from the 12-yard mark, and seconds after the ensuing kickoff the match would be called as a draw.


Running blog from Sounders FC (with minor editing):

We'll be playing three periods again today. 45 minutes, 35 minutes and 30 minutes.
They will be playing with the Nike balls today as RSL is preparing for an upcoming Champions League match with the Columbus Crew.
Seattle's lineup looks to be Terry Boss, Danny Earls, Leone Cruz, Patrick Ianni, Zach Scott, Seedy Bah, Servando Carrasco, Jonathan Prieto, Miguel Montaño, David Estrada and Lamar Neagle. If any of that is different at kickoff, I will let you know.
Patrick Ianni and Kyle Beckerman meet for the coin toss. Match just minutes away.
RSL's lineup is Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Ned Grabavoy, Alvaro Saborio and Paulo Jr.
Danny Earls is on the left, Zach Scott on the right, Seedy Bah is at forward and David Estrada is on the right wing.
We are under way.
Big test for the young kids as RSL is using largely their starting lineup.
I will be able to name trialists today and should be able to for the remainder of training camp.
3: Lamar Neagle picks off an errant pass and gets past his defender, shooting a left-footed shot that beats Nick Rimando diving to his left and goes inside the far post for a goal. Sounders FC 1, RSL 0.
5: A shot from distance by Alvaro Sabario is snared at the post by Terry Boss.
6: Servando Carrasco slides in to steal a pass from Nick Rimando at midfield, but RSL quickly regains possession.
Servando Carrasco sends a long pass to the left sideline to Lamar Neagle, but Neagle is flagged offside.
Adrian Hanauer and Chris Henderson are on hand to watch the action.
RSL gets the ball deep, but a pass up the right side goes harmlessly away for a goal kick. Good defending by Patrick Ianni to hold off the attack.
RSL scores off a free kick, but the goalscorer is flagged offside. Good break for Seattle.
Danny Earls with a great ball into the box from the left side, it is defended away from Seedy Bah for a corner kick.
Jonathan Prieto's corner kick is defended away to Miguel Montaño, who pushes up the left side and crosses a ball into the wind that looks like it's going over, but Nick Rimando makes the grab as the wind blows it back.
Zach Scott with a long ball for Lamar Neagle up the left side, but it goes over for a goal kick before he can control it for the cross.
Both teams are in their training kits - Seattle with green, shale, green and Salt Lake with all blue.
Another Jonathan Prieto corner kick is defended away by Kyle Beckerman.
Lamar Neagle pressures Jamison Olave against the endline and earns a corner kick.
Jonathan Prieto takes the corner kick and Zach Scott's header goes over for a goal kick.
Seattle will likely use different lineups in each of the three periods.
Jonathan Prieto gets forward, plays a ball to the top of the box for Seedy Bah and Bah crosses to David Estrada, but Estrada can't get a shot away. Great run for Seattle.
Terry Boss makes a big stop on the other side.
Again, Seattle leads 1-0 on a third minute goal from Lamar Neagle. Boys are looking very good early.
RSL pressures on the right side but Terry Boss makes a stop at the near post.
We are about 30 minutes into the opening period. We'll go 45 minutes, then 35 minutes for the second period and 30 minutes for the final period.
Jamison Olave shoves Lamar Neagle to the grass with two hands against the sideline and picks up a yellow card.
Jonathan Prieto takes the free kick from the left side, but it's defended away.
Good run by David Estrada eanrs a corner kick on the left side. The first corner gets some danger in the box, but is cleared for another corner. The second is smothered by Nick Rimando.
32: Tough foul by RSL earns a yellow card on Ned Grabavoy.
36: Free kick goal by Javier Morales ties it up at 1-1. He whips it inside the left post and past a diving Boss for the goal. Sounders FC 1, RSL 1.
38: Ned Grabavoy offers an explanation to Seattle's bench on a goal kick call. Seattle was appealing for a corner kick, to no avail.
It was a pretty nice shot from Morales. Over the wall and with some action on it.
44: Lamar Neagle gets a header away on a cross from Jonathan Prieto, but Nick Rimando gets to it for the save.
That'll do it for the first period.
Goals in the 3rd minute by Lamar Neagle and the 36th minute by Javier Morales to tie it up. 1-1.

We'll go 35 minutes for the second period.
We've got about 400 people following in cyberworld.
Looks like the numbers have grown a bit ... over 50 here now.
2nd period lineup: Josh Ford, Roger Levesque, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Danny Earls, David Estrada, Servando Carrasco, Jonathan Prieto, Michael Tetteh, Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito.
1: Andy Williams sends a ball to the far post, but Josh Ford is there to make the grab.
Tony Beltran appears to be the only change for RSL, coming in at left back.
6: Great save by Josh Ford on a hard shot from RSL.
10: Mike Fucito gets out on a run up the left side of the box, but his shot is touched away by Nick Rimando for a corner kick.
11: Jonathan Prieto is subbed out for Erik Friberg.
15: Servando Carrasco is given a yellow card for his tackle of Javier Morales.
17: New group for Seattle: Ford, Levesque, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl, Alvaro Fernandez, Osvaldo Alonso, Friberg, Tetteh, Fucito, Fredy Montero.
19: Thievery by Osvaldo Alonso - taking the ball right off the feet of Javier Morales, who is left just to kick at Alonso and pick up the foul.
22: Good recovery by Roger Levesque to catch up to his defensive reponsibility after pushing forward.
24: Ned Grabavoy and Osvaldo Alonso get tied up and both are issued yellow cards. Grabavoy is then issued a red card - RSL will be allowed to replace him in the lineup.
Seattle earns a corner kick and Mike Fucito lines up to take it.
26: Great work by Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to shield his man and Josh Ford comes out to make the grab on a run by Salt Lake.
31: Yellow card to 31st minute to RSL's Paulo Jr.
35: Nice rip by Paulo Jr. but Josh Ford makes the save at the near post, knocking it clear for a corner kick.
After the corner, the referee blows the whistle to end the second period.
Sounders FC 1, RSL 1.

One more 30-minute period to play.
A few subs for the final period for Seattle. Steve Zakuani is in on the left wing, James Riley at right back and O'Brian White in at forward.
Meredith, Riley, Parke, Hurtado, Wahl, Fernandez, Alonso, Friberg, Zakuani, White, Montero.
New lineup for RSL too, but I'll get that to you shortly.
2: Steve Zakuani gets the ball to Erik Friberg and takes off on a run - don't know if Friberg knows Zakuani's speed yet though because he played him a little short.
2: Fredy Montero slides a ball into the box for O'Brian White, but the new RSL keeper slides out to stop his shot.
5: Good ball finds Steve Zakuani coming up the left side. He cuts back to the middle, but his shot is deflected away.
10: Great play by Erik Friberg to slip the ball to O'Brian White who holds off his defender and pops it past the keeper for the goal. Sounders FC 2, Real Salt Lake 1.
12: Another great series for Seattle. Fredy Montero pulls the ball down and passes to Erik Friberg, who springs O'Brian White into the box again, but his left-footed volley attempt goes high for a goal kick.
16: Great ball to Steve Zakuani up the left wing, but he is flagged offside. The Sounders on the bench aren't so sure.
17: RSL evens it up on a goal from Collen Warner, shielding a defender at the right post, then shooting past Bryan Meredith insided the far post. Sounders FC 2, RSL 2.
18: RSL scores again, with Warner shooting from just outside the box for the goal. RSL 3, Sounders FC 2.
About 8 minutes to play here in the final period.
25: Steve Zakuani is bullied to the ground on a run into the box, but no call as the ball rolls to the keeper.
27: Alvaro Fernandez crosses into the box for O'Brian White, but he just misses on the header and it goes wide for a goal kick.
28: Low, winding free kick from Osvaldo Alonso is headed on frame by Alvaro Fernandez, but the keeper makes the stop.
29: Steve Zakuani charges free and beats the center back into the box. He slides in to make the stop, but handles the ball to knock it away, giving Seattle the penalty.
30: Fredy Montero easily puts the ball in the net on the PK for the goal. Sounders FC 3, RSL 3.
And that's how it'll end. Very good effort by Seattle against a good Salt Lake team.