Updated Aug 13, 2011 - 8:39 pm
Match review: Seattle Sounders FC 0 - 0 Chivas USA
by John Zielonka, mynorthwest.com
The Sounders kicked off a grueling fixture schedule by facing a pesky Chivas USA squad that managed to hold the Rave Green to a scoreless draw.
Seattle missed a penalty kick, failed to take advantage of their scoring chances, and were thwarted on two occasions in what appeared to be Chivas USA fouls inside the box.
Pat Noonan's frustration after his miss (Photo courtesy of Jane Gershovich-710 ESPN Seattle)
With Alvaro Fernandez streaking into the box in the 18th minute, he shot the ball towards the net. Chivas defender Michael Umana watched in horror as the ball hit his extended left hand. Referee Kevin Stott immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Fernandez stepped up and shot it to the right of of 'keeper Dan Kennedy. The ball hit the left post as Kennedy celebrated the miss.
Kennedy came up big in the second half to keep Seattle off the scoreboard. In the 50th minute he stopped Pat Noonan's deflection from a volley by Erik Friberg. The Chivas 'keeper extended his left hand while diving and pushed the ball wide of the net.
Fernandez was victimized again with 13 minutes left in the match. On a cross from James Riley to the back post, Fernandez's close shot ended up hitting Kennedy's knee near the left post.
Seattle will play in six matches between today's matchup against Chivas and the ending of August. The schedule calls over the next couple of weeks includes two MLS, one US Open Cup and two CONCACAF games.
In six MLS matchups, Chivas holds the edge against Seattle with two wins, one loss and three draws. Seattle has managed to notch only two goals in all those games.
Chivas now has lost just once in their last eight (3-1-4). Seattle extended its own hot hand with six wins in their last nine encounters.
The game ended in controversy. Referee Stott failed to call a penalty on Chivas' David Lopes on Lamar Neagle's run towards the endline. He was tripped by the feet of Lopes. Stott immediately indicated there was no foul. Friberg received a yellow card for his complaints.
Below is the video I captured after the match with Schmid's, Fraser's and Kennedy's thoughts on the scoreless draw.
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.
John Zielonka is a lifelong fan of soccer. He previously lived in Detroit and attended numerous NASL matches featuring the Detroit Express. John follows the local soccer scene and is the Seattle correspondent for Goal.com, where he writes about the Seattle Sounders and MLS for Goal.com. Internationally, he's viewed matches at the World Cup, Confederation Cup, England's Premier and Championship leagues.
