Nights like last night...

Nights like last night's 0-2 Sounders defeat at Saprissa are so hard. 

For the first 35 or so minutes of the match, I sat here in my living room with a confident smirk on my face.  The Rave Green were having their way with the Costa Ricans and a goal felt imminent.  Then, Leo kicked through a loose ball and his cleats ran into an opposing player.  Intentional or not...warranted or not, that single moment all but effectively ended the Seattle Sounders run in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.   

It was a harsh turn of events for all of those that bleed Raven Green.  Lucky for all of us, we still have so much yet to play for this season.  With the U.S. Open Cup FINAL at Qwest Field on October 5th and the MLS playoffs beckoning, the stretch run is just beginning.  Some other thoughts:

- I am really looking forward to getting Blaise back on the pitch for our offense.  After Leo's red card last night, his presence still wouldn't have mattered.  However, we need the big Swiss striker to hold the ball up this weekend against a stout Columbus Crew.

- Another tactical change that Sigi seemed to allude to last night was his inclusion of El Flaco into central midfield.  It was interesting especially considering that down a man, I thought a defensive minded Nate Sturgis was surely meant to stay in the match until the end.  However, El Flaco was inserted for Sturgis to create an offensive spark.  His influence and class certainly gave the Sounders a glimmer of hope last night despite being down a man for 50+ minutes.  I would love to see a midfield that looks like this come Saturday: Zakuani, Alonso, Flaco, and Nyassi. 

- I heart Ossie Alonso and his PK attempt last night was well taken.  However, after Fredy Montero was fouled to cause the PK, I was shocked to see Ossie be the one to step up and take the shot.  Fredy was given the armband last night as a sign of his maturing leadership on the team.  Now, I wonder who emphatically a Montero PK conversion would have even furthered that leadership on the team. 
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On a totally unrelated Sounders note- check this video out: Dying Bravely.  It's going to tug at your heartstrings if you are any kind of a USMNT supporter.  Until next time...

- DTRT