Some good, some bad from Sounders’ first road trip

By Sigi Schmid

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? That is a question we sometimes get asked by our friends and family. So I am asking you are fans, do you want the good news or the bad news first?

The answer is the same. The good news is we got another shutout and our defensive effort was very good. The bad news is we got shut out on offense and we need to get our attack back on track.

Our first away trip was a tough one for me as I got sick the night before we left for Washington, D.C. If you have ever flown while being sick it is not a fun experience. The team went to a gym when we got there while I went to sleep. Over the next few days I got better and felt OK by gametime.

We played with good effort and created some good chances but we need to be a little quicker, a little sharper in the final third of the field. D.C. was a confident team after their win over Dallas and played with a lot of spirit. It would have been a dream ending for Marc Burch if his header had not hit the post but gone into the goal. A great shot by Osvaldo Alonso led to the rebound and we were so close to winning it late.

Now we look toward our first afternoon home game against Colorado. I do not know if you are fans of the afternoon games. Curious to see what you, the fans, think about playing games in the afternoon. I am sure the marketing people have done the research in this area, but I have no idea how you, the fans, feel. I think it has to do with the Mariners having priority on the evening match since they are at home. Good luck to them and us.

Colorado has a new coach and is playing a more ball possession-style this season. I know it is the return of Brian Mullan — please treat him with the respect that you give people who feel bad for what has happened. It is time to move forward and our attention is being poured into winning this game.

Hope to see you there, as loud and supportive of the Sounders as always.

Take care,
Sigi