MLS SEASON OPENER
Opening the MLS season with exhilarating stadium atmosphere, Seattle fans provided an example of American soccer fans who properly know how to passionately support their team. Unfortunately, rain on an artificial pitch combined with opening match adrenaline as well as opening match rustiness produced a less than perfect performance from both teams. This MLS season, this blog will break down weekly matches, focusing primarily on the technical performances of key players. Match analysis and tactical breakdowns may also be included.
Seattle Sounders versus LA Galaxy Technical Ramblings:
LA’s opening kickoff set the tone for inconsistent and untimely play which continued throughout the first half. An immediate long ball to the left side of the pitch to Chad Barrett reminded me of a youth match tactic. A desired quick start with a ball played to open space in theory seems well planned out, but on a professional level, is difficult to execute. LA Galaxy almost caught a break in their direct kickoff tactic when Seattle’s defender (I believe this was Hurtado, but I am not certain) fumbled an easy ball dangerously in the box. Keller’s quick reaction off his line prevented an early chance for a goal.
Wet conditions and a slippery turf provided a plethora of poor passing, poor touches, and inability from either side to establish any rhythm or solid possession. LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan’s first visible touch of the match at the 2:14 mark found himself with the ball about 8 yards from left side of box. Donovan allowed the ball to bounce as he approached on a slight angle towards the left. After a quick glance at the defender, Donovan then eyed the ball and settled it with his outside of his right foot. Seattle’s James Riley closed in on Donovan. Exposing the ball to the defender (Riley), Donovan made a series of errors that led to a loss in possession. If Donovan would have simply settled ball with his left foot, this would have given the ball more protection and allowed him to be in better position against the defender. The initial touch on the ball was poor—allowing the ball to rise waist/knee level. Riley saw the mistouch and approached forward. As Donovan tried to play the ball with the inside of his right foot laterally, Riley had already anticipated the move and made contact with ball and successfully cleared. Donovan could have had room on the flank if he would have used his left foot and continued forward using the left side of the pitch. Not a good start for Donovan.
Around the 8 minute mark, Donovan again had possession with no place to go on left flank in Galaxy’s offensive third. Initially, Donovan does well to shield the ball from the defender. Donovan, with his back turned away from goal, turned to the side and moved towards the right. (basic outline below D=Donovan O=Galaxy player X=Sounders)
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Donovan continued to move horizontally rather than cutting ball on a diagonal angle in between two defenders and finding a diagonal ball to the overlapping run. Donovan may have had few options, the Sounders had this one covered defensively. Although finding the overlapping run may have been the better option, it is doubtful that it would have led to anything. However, Donovan’s choice, a safe back pass, was delivered too softly with his left foot and easily intercepted by Seattle. During this possession, Donovan’s teammates provided minimal help for America’s best known midfielder. Chris Birchall, playing in the middle, did absolutely nothing to gain a better position or become open. The strikers failed at checking towards Donovan and therefore Seattle was allowed to easily close down space. This turnover led to a Seattle counter attack and a long strong shot on goal by the dangerous Freddy Montero. Donovan may have failed at effectively playing the ball back, but his teammates again failed at creating options for him.
Early on, David Beckham looked slow and not on the same page with the rest of the Galaxy team. At 35 years of age, how long is Mr. Beckham going to play? Yes, he is very dangerous on set pieces and can beautifully bend the ball while creating dangerous moments, but overall, he is rather disappointing. Beckham lacked the desire to hold the ball long during the first half. His possessions could be summarized as one touch--then pass. Rather than moving the the ball up the right flank and creating space, Beckham was continuously showing lack of patience, trying to make passes where Galaxy players either were not--or marked tightly by Seattle.
LA Galaxy’s Mike Magee’s only impressive moment came when he played a dangerous ball to Chad Barrett, who failed to do anything with the ball. As the ball found its way to Donovan, he finally took on two defenders only to have ball deflected off his own team mate. Guess who? Barrett. A striker needs to know when to clear space and make a run towards goal.
In the 16th minute, Beckham made a careless mistake. With space in the offensive third, he quickly played the ball way too softly towards the center. Seattle easily intercepted. A harder pass, a different angle, or Beckham taking defensive player on would have resulted in a great Galaxy attack. Why was Beckham so willing to give the ball up so easily? International so-called-superstars should be able to have the confidence and desire to be dangerous.
The 23rd minute brought great anguish to the Seattle Sounder’s fans. Freddy Montero’s excellent speed and moves allowed him to penetrate LA Galaxy’s tight defense. Maneuvering deep into the box, Montero delivered a perfect ball back to O’Brian White, who unfortunately for Seattle, could not make any contact with the ball, forfeiting a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Seattle’s Erik Friberg had a disastrous first half. Anyone saying anything else clearly was not paying any attention to him. Mistimed passes, poor passes, crosses directly served to Galaxy players, careless fouls…the list could go on. Many post game reports credited him with praise simply because he had a shot. Really, one shot. Take a look at that one shot in the 43rd minute. Galaxy goal keeper Josh Saunders had a brilliant game and rarely committed any mistakes. Friberg’s shot should have been a goal. Saunders was off his line and Friberg had an entire section of the goal (from center to right post) exposed and open. Where did Friberg’s uncontested shot go? Wide right, completely off frame. Friberg followed his missed opportunity with a reckless and unnecessary high boot to the thigh of Donovan. This reckless challenged left Donovan with a nasty welt on his thigh.
Finally, we end the half with a suspicious dive courtesy of David Beckham. Fooled the ref, however, I doubt it fooled most viewers of the game. Free kicks provided the Galaxy with their most dangerous scoring chances.
For the start of the second half, Galaxy coach, Bruce Arena, tactically changed Donovan to the right side and places Beckham on the left. Donovan’s first possession of the second half seemed as if it was a replay from the first half. Donovan once again executed a poor pass. During the 52nd minute, Donovan was again under pressure and his pass back was intercepted by Steve Zakuani. LA Galaxy’s defense remained composed and prevented any Seattle threat.
Erik Friberg’s most critical mistake of the match was made during the 58th minute. The Seattle midfielder from Sweden, received the ball around the center of the pitch, with little pressure. Trying to continue to switch the play from left to right, Friberg not only telegraphs his pass but places it well behind Alvaro Fernandez. (Here we can wonder if Fernandez could have been checking back but it seemed as if he clearly wanted the ball played ahead of him so he could slip in behind the defender). Friberg continued making poor decisions, this time defensively. Rather than closing down Todd Dunivant (who had just intercepted the pass), Friberg stayed in a retreating position and failed to come forward which would have also closed down an angle for a pass to Juninho, who was making a run forward on Dunivant’s right. Friberg waited and gave Dunivant plenty of time and space. When Dunivant is about 3-5 yards away from the non-threatening Friberg, he passed laterally to the wide open Juninho. Friberg stretched and lunged his body towards the ball, but in vain. Friberg was out of position to shut down Juninho and could not even effectively follow Dunivant’s run forward towards the box as the lunge made Friberg be a few steps behind. Juninho, wide open, only needed one touch to set up the winning goal for the Galaxy. The long shot was struck beautifully—resulting in a spectacular goal for the first goal of the MLS season.
Seattle continued to show desire and heart after the conceded goal. Steve Zakuani continued to take on Galaxy defenders with speed and quick moves. He was the most threatening of the Seattle attack. His speed and determination to take defenders on was impressive. Although at times inconsistent with his passing and crosses, Zakuani’s successful attacks outweighed the unproductive ones, creating numerous scoring opportunities for the Sounders.
Beckham continued to disappoint, missing a wide open shot in the 62nd minute. He completely fired a rocket of a shot over the goal. Unmarked with plenty of time, Beckham’s shot was rushed and well over the target.
Finally, in the 65th minute we have an example of Donovan being dangerous. Donovan always excels at finding a way to slip through a line of defenders undetected. He excels in clutch moments and likes to exploit the slow reactions of opponents. Donovan does well when the ball is played ahead of him, rather than the ball played to his feet with defenders pressuring him. Thriving on open space, Donovan demonstrates this by running onto a ball that was played ahead of him. After a first touch to set up a shot, Donovan blasts a wicked shot that hits the corner of the post. From that moment on, despite the miss, Donovan becomes a dangerous, confident, and strong player. Leadership takes over and the captain excels. Finally, a glimpse of the Landon Donovan that is so feared by many.
With time running out, Seattle pressed forward. Clearly a weakness in Seattle’s game, free kicks and set plays are poorly executed within the closing minutes of the match. Friberg’s free kick sails wide and out of play, failing to be delivered into the box.
By 70th minute Donvoan and Beckham switch sides again, I assume for defensive reasons. Donovan is placed where Zakuani is--and Zakuani was the most dangerous for Seattle that evening. Although I prefer Donovan on the right side offensively, I can understand why Bruce Arena did not want Beckham to aid in the defensive duty of marking Zakuani. Beckham is slow and often lazy on defense.
Seattle pressed on. Montero beautifully played the ball across the goal mouth in the 74th minute that should have resulted in a goal. The 82nd minute continued to show Friberg’s poor execution. With plenty of space and no defenders on him, Friberg fails to attack forward. Friberg had a striker covered by two defenders ahead of him. Rather than attacking forward on the dribble which would have drawn a defender out on him and free up the striker (creating a few possible 1v1 situations), Friberg’s poor first touch allows Dunivant (once again) to collapse on him. Feeling the pressure from Dunivant, Friberg makes a poor diagonal pass which is easily intercepted by the Galaxy.
Montero has a strong shot saved by Saunders in the 83rd minute. A slight deflection may have divereted the ball allowing for the save. The closing minutes continued with numerous poorly executed free kicks and set plays from Seattle. Beckham carelessly committed a stupid foul in the 94th minute. His lazy defense followed by a sloppy clip, set up a free kick situation in Seattle’s offensive third. Yet once again, Seattle wasted the opportunity.
Final score Seattle 0 LA Galaxy 1.
Final notes:
Seattle:
- White had a very poor game for Seattle
- Montero needs to be more daring and take defenders on.
- Zakuani, despite inconsistancies, provided many offensive opportunities. Loved his willingness to take on defenders, speed, and desire.
- Thought that Fernandez had a solid game
- Seattle desparately needs to execute free kicks more effectively
- Questions with central midfield, including Friberg
LA Galaxy:
- Donovan’s slow start was a concern, need better offensive movement to support him
- Strikers for LA non-existent in this match
- The defense of LA was awesome, effective, poised, and calm
- Strong defense, very impressive.
- Saunders has awonderful game in goal.
- Would like to see Donovan play on right side
Watch match highlites from the Galaxy and Sounders official sites:
Sounders Match Recap
