“If you didn’t get excited for this game something would be wrong.”
With one sentence Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley coalesced the thoughts of his teammates ahead of Saturday’s season opener.
As the majority of Major League Soccer began new campaigns this weekend, Toronto FC was forced into the spectator role.
What they saw was up and down preseason play and the lingering rust on display in early season fixtures.
Controversial decisions in Los Angeles nearly created the Major League Soccer version of the ‘Toucherception.’ (View article)
The best goalkeeper in the game, Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando, was on hand to make sure Jeff Cassar’s coaching debut was a successful one.
Two goals from Kenny Miller helped Vancouver stun the New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Nigel Reo-Coker’s defensive midfield partnership with Matias Laba has potential to become one of the best in the league.
A Gaston Fernandez tally at the death salvaged a point for Portland against Philadelphia. Caleb Porter’s side spent the majority of the game on the ball and outshot the Union, though two shots on target will not cut it. Like we said, rust.
Sanna Nyassi’s goal gave Montreal hope on the road at Dallas, but Mauro Díaz made sure Oscar Pareja's return to the place where he once played was a joyous one.
In an action packed weekend, you can forgive Reds supporters for focusing on one game in particular. Seattle, Toronto’s opponent on Saturday, opened their season at home against Sporting Kansas City.
The Sounders, widely expected to challenge for multiple trophies this season, at the fortress that is CenturyLink Field, against the defending Cup winners--what could be better?
But rust, our nagging friend, was no stranger to this game and combined with slippery playing conditions to rob of us what should have been a thrilling fixture. Seattle prevailed thanks to a late Chad Barrett winner--remember him? It was a familiar story for the visitors, who have lost five times in the last four years as a result of a late Sounders goal.
“I just heard all about it. That’s kind of cruel and unusual against KC, but I really don’t care,” Barrett said after scoring the winner and his first for Seattle. “I’m glad to be a part of that.”
“It’s one of the reasons we brought him in,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid following the win. “He is an experienced forward and he has shown he can score goals in this league.”
Stefan Frei, another familiar face, kept a clean sheet but battled through some nervy moments.
“I thought it was good.” responded Schmid when asked to asses Frei’s performance.
“I thought there were some mistakes; there was a little miscommunication once between him and Djimi (Traore) on a ball. I thought he did well in terms of challenging and cutting off some crosses. For his first game, there is going to be some nerves, for sure, but I thought he did well.”
While Frei’s inclusion was unique to 2014, we saw lots of typical Sounders soccer. Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans bossing the midfield. DeAndre Yedlin bombing up and down the flank.
But there were wrinkles. Newcomer Marco Pappa was inserted on the right, beside Evans. Clint Dempsey started on the bench, but served as the engine behind the winner. Sean Okoli was sterling in his MLS debut, delivering the cross that created a pile of bodies in front of Eric Kronberg, leading to Barrett heroics.
Dempsey looked comfortable playing off of Obafemi Martins after the American replaced Pappa in the 57th minute.
It was the type of game that good teams win, a cliche perhaps, but a valid one in this instance.
Seattle was not in midseason form, but a steady performance coupled with Barrett’s ability to seize the moment was the difference.
Playing in Seattle is an unenviable task, but the fact that TFC’s date in The Emerald City comes early in the schedule might level the playing field.
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