Sounders try to solve visiting D.C. United
Sep 16, 2011, 1:48 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm
"Obviously losing Pontius was a big blow for them," Schmid acknowledged. "They're still a dangerous team. The have Dwayne DeRasario, who's still probably the best attacking central midfielder in the league. They also have Charlie Davies with his pace up front." Davies scored a hat-trick in United's victory at Chivas U.S.A. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
BY
Staff report
Just back from a successful journey to Costa Rica, Seattle Sounders FC will try to get back in the Major League Soccer win column Saturday night against visiting D.C. United.
Seattle began a stretch of three games in seven days with a 2-1 win over Cs Herediano in CONCACAF Champions League group play. Fredy Montero produced both goals to keep Sounders atop group D with 9 points in three matches. The Costa Rican club comes to Seattle for a re-match next Tuesday night.
For Seattle, it’s back into the MLS wars with plenty to be decided in the month ahead.
Seattle has 48 points, second place in the ever-close Western Conference.
D.C. United comes to CenturyLink Field with momentum. They’re 3-1-2 in their last six matches, including a 3-0 victory at Chivas USA.
D.C.’s victory was very costly though. Former MLS rookie of the year Chris Pontius suffered a cracked right leg bone and is lost for the season. United has plenty of other weapons as Sigi Schmid pointed out in our coaches corner interview.
“Obviously losing Pontius was a big blow for them,” Schmid acknowledged. “They’re still a dangerous team. The have Dwayne DeRasario, who’s still probably the best attacking central midfielder in the league. They also have Charlie Davies with his pace up front.” Davies scored a hat-trick in United’s victory at Chivas U.S.A.
Schmid was able to rest several front line players during the Costa Rica trip.
Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonzo, Erik Friberg and defender Jeff Parke did not see action.
The coach hopes his team doesn’t help D.C. United like Seattle Sounders did for Real Salt Lake in the last home match, a 2-1 loss.
Said Schmid,”We contributed mightily to that loss by giving up a penalty kick, and giving up a bad goal. The objective Saturday night is to play our game, and I think the score will go our way.”
Pre-game coverage starts at 5:30 Saturday night with Matt Johnson your radio host. It’s a 6 p.m. kick with Arlo White handling play-by-play on 97.3 KIRO FM.
