MLS 2014

Indeed I was. About as good an atmosphere as I can recall down there. I'll be the first to admit it can be lacking at a typical match. But this was exciting. Both teams played well (Seattle was short a couple key players). L.A.'s game is a possession one, and while I didn't go back to look at the numbers, it definitely felt like we had a significant edge there. That said, Martins looked very dangerous, and they nearly caught us on the counter a couple times. Plus Penedo had a great double-save off a set piece early in the game when it was still scoreless. I would have felt a little more comfortable about things if we had managed a second. But keeping the clean sheet was huge. A draw will now be enough.

I'm actually making the trip to the away leg next week, so will be happy to report on that one as well. If anyone here has tips on what to see or do or where to eat in Seattle, I'd me most appreciative.

 

Tim, it's a great city and you can't throw a rock and not hit something that is pretty cool. There are some non-touristy places along the waterfront near the Pike's Place. I've been to a few pubs near Key Arena that were solid, so solid that I can't recall their names except for "Buckley's" and the EMP Museum is great if you enjoy music/pop culture. A speakeasy called Tavern Law is fun, and if you're into that scene I recommend it.

Please provide a post after the match b/c I'm sure Seattle will be rocking for the return leg. Safe travels.

 

I thought LA was the better team by more than the scoreboard said and they may regret not putting up another of Alonso is available for the second leg. Seattle's midfield looked woeful without him but a good chunk of credit goes to LA on that front as well.

Gillette does not have a grass playing surface BTW.

http://www.patriots.com/news/articl...-surface/947114ad-9640-4dfc-9bb5-92faca964832

 

lol thanks for making me fix that Nev.

 

I could be wrong but I don't believe that Gillette's turf is covering any concrete, at least under the playing surface. Originally Gillette has grass with an underground heating system, the heating system may still be there. It was changed over from grass mid-season a few years back, not enough time to allow concrete to be poured and cured enough to play on. There was a lot of talk that it was illegal for them to do a mid-season change over and finally the NFL said there was no such rule. I believe it has been replaced since with newer stuff, and I think there are a number of layers, including sand, rubber, a sponge type layer and eventually over dirt to allow for proper drainage. It's nothing like the old days where it was almost 1/4 inch of indoor-outdoor carpet right over concrete.

 

Sorry Heather, didn't see your post until after I posted. Thanks for remembering the year can't believe it's been that long. Seems like just yesterday.

 

Lol Nev, got a buddy in Colorado who might argue.

Tim, as mentioned by Nev the EMP museum is very cool. If you like fish and chips, there are so many places let your phone help you out. The football/baseball stadiums are right next to each other, Pyramid Brew Pub is right across the street from the baseball stadium and easy walking distance.

 

Thank you Nev and Joe for the suggestions. Will definitely report back when I get home.

 

True, the new stuff is better. But it's still fake, and the guys who play FOOTBALL football still don't like it. If you pressed him, I'd venture to say that someone like even Dempsey would tell you they don't like to play on it. The stats don't lie. If you peruse them, and I haven't, I'd bet you find older players aren't nearly as productive on it as natural turf. From what little I've watched of Dempsey since he moved to Seattle, I don't think he's nearly as effective on it at home. Granted, he's older, but I really think none of the older guys like it....at all. And most of the new ones, too.

 

so it's down to Revs v western champs. Still think it will be Seattle. The Revs were a gimme given their trending, and I'll take them to win MLS Cup... depending on if LA pulls less than 2 goal aggregate. LA win by 3 or more, that bet is off.

 

Good for Tim to take that long trip north and see LA win on the aways goal rule, looking forward to your report, were you up in the visitor's group they showed on the highlights? Everyone was too bundled up to see if I could spot you. What better way than for LD to go out on top?

http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/11/30/highlights-seattle-sounders-vs-la-galaxy-november-30-2014

 

I do have a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the highlights.

Tremendous fun had up in Seattle. Hit up the EMP and enjoyed that, so thank you for the suggestion. Enjoyed a couple restaurants and bars as well, for sure.

I was sitting (standing actually) with other Galaxy supporters in the corner as my LA bones struggled with the 30-degree weather. But I didn't mind too much. The atmosphere was pretty much what I expected actually. Not necessarily more, but also not less.

I will say that, with a couple exceptions, the Seattle fans were friendly and classy. I ran into a group of fellow Galaxy supporters at a bar before the match and went out for celebratory beers with them after. And any ribbing we received was entirely good-natured. Had several nice conversations with Sounders supporters and even traded rounds with a group after the match. And I will say this, just walking around the city, it seemed everywhere I looked I saw someone in either Seahawks or Sounders garb. They do love their teams up there.

Definitely glad I made the trip and am counting the days until MLS Cup.

Updated to include a photo from my vantage point.

 

Dude, awesome. Thanks for the report. It was a crazy match and all the best to the Galaxy for grabbing that away goal. Have fun at the final, or watching the final, Tim.

 

Good luck to Jim and his Revs against Tim and the Galaxy. Tim, you going to be in the house???

 

I was, in fact, there. Report and a couple photos to come tomorrow.

 

I agree with HD that the match in general (but especially the Revs) was rather sloppy and a bit hard to watch (especially since I was rooting for the Revs). That said, the last 10 minutes was chock full of action as the Revs pushed for the equalizer.

The better team won. I was hoping that if LA were to win that Donovan would create a story-book ending, but I can't say that he was a major factor for much of the match.

 

Alright, as promised, a more complete write-up.

As has been mentioned, the game was pretty sloppy. The Galaxy probably was the better team (based on possession and chances created). That said, there were definite stretches where the Revs were dictating the terms.

For obvious reasons, the Galaxy's attacking players get most of the ink, but I happen to think their success is largely due to their control of the the midfield. When they play well, it's because Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas are playing well. They're highly underrated, and for what it's worth, I thought Sarvas deserved the MLS Cup MVP (he was all over the pitch, made several key defensive plays, and unless I'm mistaken, played the through ball to Keane for the game winner). I know it's hard to consider anyone else when the regular season MVP notches a winner in extra time, but until that moment, he did not have a particularly good match.

Happy to see Zardes get the goal. After an impressive season, he's been largely invisible down the stretch and in the playoffs. That had to be a huge goal for him personally.

I would have liked to see LD get on the scoresheet, but a win is a win, and he gets to go out with one more record.

It will be interesting to see what happens during the off-season. My friend who's a season ticket holder brought up the possibility of Arena leaving (certainly possible), and regardless, they'll have a DP slot to fill. We'll see if Omar sticks around. Zardes will need a couple more years before he can entertain the idea of going abroad (assuming, of course, he continues to improve). I know the Galaxy are an easy team to hate, but they play an attractive brand of soccer and, save the sometime petulant behavior from Keane, are a pretty classy group. Hard to argue with 3 out of 4 titles.

Including a shot of Landon coming over to the LA Riot Squad (one of three supporters clubs--and where I was for the 2nd half) section after the game.

And, because I can, including a pic of a Fulham and USMNT legend.