Save Me a Seat on the Sounders Bandwagon

Where to start?  What a great day to be an MLS fan.

Some personal thoughts:

1) What if Kasey Keller had signed with RSL instead of Moechengladbach?

2) What if RSL had decided to pursue Sebastien LeToux instead of Jean Martial Kipre after the 2006 MLS Cup tryout that I orchestrated?

3) Should I have more aggressively pursued the conversations I had with Sounders owner-turned-GM Adrian Hanauer about moving to the Sounders organization?  Some may find it surprising, but I think the answer - all things being equal and known - is still no.

4) I want to March to the Match!

5) I'm wistful not to be part of MLS these days - in part because so many of us dreamed of nights like tonight - and I'm proud of the league and everyone who works so hard within it.  But I don't miss the stress and pressure.  I really don't.  Maybe it depends on who your bosses are?

Now about the game:

1) I LOVE the play of Osvaldo Alonso.  Reminds me of a young Dema Kovalenko, before the Ukrainian became old, slow and earned the "hack" reputation.  Alonso is all over central midfield, very aggressive, and can go forward.  He was a revelation.

2) Flank play in MLS is probably the weakest part of the game, but the two-headed monster of Nyassi/Zakuani has blazing speed, appears fearless and will be enjoyable to watch this year.  Let's see how they play when their backs against the wall, or, when they don't smell weakness in a really poor opponent.

3) If Fredy Montero scores 15 goals this year, either Chris Henderson, Sigi Schmid or Adrian Hanauer deserves some real recognition for finding him.  Wow. Wow. Wow.  Did you see the graphic that Paco Palencia scored two goals in his debut as well... that turned out great.

4) Sebastien Le Toux... I found him! :)

5) How does the expansion team have five better players on the bench than the 14th-year club?  Sturgis, Ianni, Stephen King, Sturgis, Wahl... plus the #1 pick Zakuani and the local sentimental favorite, Roger Levesque.  Oh, and that Ljungberg guy didn't even dress.  Compare with Dufty (who??!!), Borman, Mbuta, Sassano, Wolyniec... I'm ok with Oduro and Jeremy Hall.

6) Finally, Brad Evans is the real steal of the expansion draft.  What a clutch player.

7) Quick Seattle, develop some depth at defender and this team will make the playoffs.  

8) Have you ever seen an expansion team looked so organized and composed?

MLS Preview to come one of these days... off top of my head:

WEST

4 playoff teams: Houston, Colorado, Chivas, Seattle

1. Houston

2. Colorado

3. Chivas USA

4. Seattle

5. RSL

6. San Jose

7. Dallas

8. Galaxy

EAST

4 playoff teams: Columbus, Chicago, DC, New England

1. New England

2. Columbus

3. Chicago

4. Kansas City

5. Toronto FC

6. DC United

7. Red Bulls

1st Coach Fired: Juan Carlos Osorio

1st GM Fired: Dave Greeley

Comments

[KT]

"I'm wistful not to be part of MLS these days - in part because so many of us dreamed of nights like tonight - and I'm proud of the league and everyone who works so hard within it."

I was thinking that last night. You have had a larger role in what's gone on than I will ever have, but I was thinking that all the really good stuff is finally happening now and the old-timers like us are just watching.

[Nick]

It seems like the three of us were thinking the exact same thing last night. It's great to see things going so well. It would be nice to be a part of that, even in a small way.