It's been 81 days since we last saw the rave and green play and I am itching for the new season to start. March 15 is the magical date - the home opener on ESPN against LA. It's still 46 days away and I just want it to be here already.
Since it's still a ways in the distance all I have is the regular reports from Tony Ventrella and Matt Gaschk on the first few days of training. It's not ideal, but it is still exciting. I am really excited by all the possibilities that this season might bring. Coming into last year, some experts declared the Sounders to be the pre-season favorites to win the MLS title while others predicted a second year collapse.
We all know how it went down. The season started off on a positive note but quickly went sour after that. They sat in last place with a 4-8-2 record in May. They then climbed out the hole and made the playoffs for the second straight year. It was a nice accomplishment, but they then flamed out for the second year in a row, scoring only 1 goal in 180 minutes. It has left fans, players and management wanting more. Listen to Sigi's comments and one thing is apparent - this has to be the year they win MLS Cup or things will have to change.
I definitely respect the line they are taking. Making the playoffs is nice, but it is not the ultimate goal. I love our core - I love Keller, Alonso, Montero, Zakuani, Hurtado, Ianni and Evans. Hell I love them all. BUT we can't get complacent if we are not getting the job done.
Now that the tough talk is out of the way, I want to again stress how excited I am. The best thing about pre-season camp is that anything is possible. Fredy Montero might win the scoring title. Kasey Keller might go out on top. Ozzie Alonso might win MVP. Roger Levesque and Mike Fucito might tally a combined 10 goals. An unknown camp invitee might make the team and exceed all expectations.
Right now, the most interesting part of camp is seeing what new faces are able to make the team. I am assuming that our second round pick Michael Tetteh will not only make the team but will be challenging Leo Gonzalez for playing time by the end of the season. With the news that Julien Baudet won't be signing with the Sounders, I am also assuming that rookie Leone Cruz will be making the team. After that, it is a crap shoot. We have two rookie goalies - Bryan Meredith and Josh Ford - in camp. We have three other rookies - Servando Carrasco, Alex Caskey and Corey Attaway - plus some random trialists whose names I don't even know. Some are going to be cut early. Others might stick around for a little while. A lucky few might be the next diamond in the rough ala Mike Fucito and Mike Seamon. Whatever the final result, I am excited by the possibilities that the new faces my bring. Anything is possible.
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