Instant (Over)Reaction: Metapan

Tonight was the Sounders inaugural foray into international competition as they took on Isidro Metapan of El Salvador in the CONCACAF Champions League. This was not a friendly but an actual game, with actual tackles and actual drama. Oh, and compared to our matches against Celtic and Boca Juniors I was actually excited.

Here are some of my impressions from the match:

• Our tickets tonight were on the south end by the ECS. While I really like our normal seats, this was a really welcome change. I don't think most of the fans on the north end really appreciate how much passion the ECS brings to every game. Even with only 17k fans, they made Qwest sound full and alive.
• An interesting lineup tonight. I honestly believe Sigi when he says that many positions are hotly contested and that he doesn't see it as a major dropoff when the usual starters have the night off. It's a good thing because their depth is going to be tested over the next month. They fly to San Jose for a game this weekend, then to San Salvador for a return leg on Tuesday night followed by a game in Houston next weekend.
• I think Nyassi had the best game as a Sounder. He made great runs and was rewarded all night by Riley, Alonso and even Marshall. Now if he can just improve his finishing..
• I loved the midfield tonight. The combo of Nyassi and Montano (later Zakuani) gave the team tons of speed on the flanks. The introduction of Alonso in the 13th minute really gave Michael Seamon some freedom. I really like this kid - he is young enough and confident enough to try shit. He doesn't always make the smartest play, but having a safety blanket like Alonso behind him really gives him the opportunity to be creative. There was one series in the second half when Nyassi, Montero and Seamon displayed some beautiful that made all of us dream of what could be.
• Glad to see Taylor Graham get the start and play well. My buddy J-Will noted that Metapan, like Boca Juniors in May, plays the style of soccer that he is able to do well against. Perhaps its the fact that the average height for Metapan was 5'8.
• Graham's USL buddy Roger Levesque didn't have such a great game. He seemed to turn the ball over two out of three times and really had the crowd grumbling all game long. I think we all need to realize that Roger is what Roger is. He's not great, but even when he has a bad game with his passing and finishing, he still is tireless is in his work rate and I think sets a good example for guys like Fredy Montero.
• Speaking of Fredy, what can I say? We all know I am back to drinking his Cool-Aid and its for reasons that we saw last night. Sure the goal will go down as the highlight, but the most important thing to me is to see him chase after defenders and even get back on defense on occaision. I think he is going to flurish with Nkufo distributing the ball to him in open space.
  

Right now this team is dangerous, but they are also getting lucky. Just this week we have had a goal that hit the post and deflected off the goalie. We had a goal that could have been called offsides and we had a goal that any keeper saves 99% of the time. These things weren't happening earlier in the season for us. So while it is easy to get excited about our recent string of games (4-0-1 in meaningful competition), we should all temper our expectations because it can turn easily on us at any point. The key is continuing to play with commitment and passion because those alone can win some games even when luck isn't behind you.