Sounder At Heart

Sounders Women and US Women live thread

2012-05-27T23:11:23Z

The Sounders Women at the US National Women (but I repeat myself) are in action today. The more famous half of the roster is playing with their national team cohorts against China in a friendly. There's a livestream on the ussoccer.com site.

Meanwhile, the more college-oriented half of the roster is kicking off the first match of the regular season against rival Whitecaps FC in Vancouver. For coverage of that you'll probably have to check in with @SoundersWomen on twitter (or @WhitecapsFC as a fallback).

Sounders Draw Chivas USA 1-1

2012-05-27T05:55:10Z

Without the results of the past few weeks a draw on the road to the newly revamped Chivas USA could be a positive, particularly a come-from-behind draw. In light of the slump that the Seattle Sounders FC are in, is a road draw enough? In some cases 1-1 is a positive. In others it feels like a loss. Tonight it was probably the "deserved" result from the play of the match.

But, in the larger context of a season tonight's result is disappointing. Heading into a large break in MLS play Sigi Schmid has the opportunity to see his team get to health, focus on their finishing issues and combination play. Each had an issue in the draw on a Memorial Day Weekend. And, after one more game Osvaldo Alonso will be back.

There were some intricate movements. Balls were played in ways that drop jaws. In basketball there would be dimes galore.Alvaro Fernandez, Fredy Montero and Eddie Johnson all had their moments where their ability with the ball at the feet caused any viewer to gape, to pause, to wonder "what if."

David Estrada's goal was in some ways similar. It was one touch magic, a hockey redirect that simply went in the net, but the action to make it happen was not simple. Others on the team may be more capable of that goal, but Estrada converted it. Mauro Rosales had two chances where he could have put in simpler goals, but fortune wasn't with the Argentine this evening.

Seattle's defense did not make the individual mistakes that allow easy goals. Instead they were beaten on plays, rather than granting them. Juan Agudelo is that good. James Riley provided a solid ball and the USMNT player put it away. Tighter defense may have prevented that opportunity, but on the night it was a decent performance.

Maybe that's the thing. The Sounders have raised our expectations. Average isn't good enough. Heading into a long break the team is one of the five best in the league. In light of all of the injuries, fitness issues and compact schedule that is likely enough.

Three weeks ago though the target was clearly to be the best. There's enough work to be done that the Open Cup run and training will be put to great use. Teeth will be gnashed and debates will be waged. The Seattle Sounders are a good but not great team. Like all MLS sides they are in their stretch of average performance and poor results. It happens to every club, but due to the high expectations of 2012 it doesn't feel like enough.

Maybe that's what this team needs. That glimmer of knowledge that they are better than the results to date measure shows what they need to work on in training. That glimmer also shows the fan base that being merely good is no longer enough. We want more. A road draw against a poor but rebuilding Western Conference team isn't satisfying anymore.

Tonight was both enough and not enough. It was a come from behind draw. It was fair.

It is disappointing.

It has no relationship to the future.

Seattle Sounders at Chivas USA - Gamethread

2012-05-27T01:00:03Z

May's packed schedule is nearly up for the Seattle Sounders with their last MLS match of the crowded schedule. For some players this will mean a rest. For others, due to injuries, they will be pressed into more duty than one could expect. On top of a likely start at CDM for either Andy Rose or Servando Carrasco there could also be a change in the backline. Sigi Schmid will need to decide of a four of Burch/Hurtado/Parke/Scott can all go on short rest or will someone sit. The attacking five should all be able to start. There is no need to "save" one for an Open Cup game against Atlanta.

Still, the defense has made small errors. At the same time Chivas USA made scouting difficult by adding two new starters and regularly shifting their front six. It's a match where the first 15 could be a feeling out period with lots of ugly play in the center of the pitch.

Seattle can avoid that by pressing early. The Goats aren't a strong team defending passes nor preventing shots, so the Sounders can and should press the ball forward quickly and often. This would force Dan Kennedy to be great. He can be, so it isn't a pure path to victory, but it's a shot. Inside 25 yards quite popping the ball up to heads, but still use the air to pass. Little sombrero moves and curling balls in tight spaces are a specialty of Fernandez and Montero. Against a backline still getting familiar these should help open new space where magic can happen.

With Juan Pablo Angel, Juan Agudelo, Jose Correa and Alejandro Moreno (only two should start) Chivas has a strong forward core. The first two played together in New York. Don't assume they can't work together, instead prevent service into them. If they try to crowd the center of the pitch, let them have it. While LaBrocca is good, getting a Sounder out of position to cover him and empty of the even better attackers will be a mistake. Maybe have Evans or Montero drop back to a pick a pocket if Chivas gets too casual with the space. All the statistics and matchups are in Seattle's favor, but that hasn't meant much lately.

The broadcast is on KING 5 and 97.3 FM (KOMO2 & 99.3 in Spanish) at 7:30 PM Pacific.

Pre Match Build-up: Three Questions | Scouting Report | Bedir Offense Than You Think | Team Notes (pdf) | Tickets for Home Games

Team Statistics Matchups

Team	Duels	Possession	Pass Completion Advantage	Shots +/-	Run of Play	Dead Ball	Net Strike Rate	Net On Frame
Seattle	52.3%	50.7%	-0.3	3.1	4	1	2.3%	0.8%
Goats	49.4%	50.6%	0.8	-4.5	-5	-1	-0.8%	-4.2%

Tactical Keys

Run and Shoot
Multi-Dimensional Passing
Defend the Bulls
Cede the Middle

Player Matchups

Alvaro Fernandez v James Riley
Fredy Montero v Dan Kennedy
Jeff Parke v Juan Pablo Angel

How We're Watching
Beverage: Sangria
Scarf: 2012 Nos Audietis/Sounder at Heart (these are still available if you don't have one)
Kit: One Nation Under Sigi
Where I'm Watching: #RATSS BBQ, Jeremiah is at Golazo

Nos Audietis In Somniis | Nos Audietis In Altum

Chivas USA Scouting Report: Finishing Strong

2012-05-26T19:11:59Z

Seattle's run of games over the last 4 weeks has been epic. Since a two week break in April, at the end of the day the team will have played 8 games in 29 days. Seven games played just in the month of May. That run started off well with home wins against the Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union, but since then the team has sputtered.

We saw it in the first half at FC Dallas, when the team played poorly against an awful team, but Fredy Montero came in as a halftime sub to turn it around. Then we saw it in a home loss to Real Salt Lake, in which the team had the better play but couldn't score. Then in Vancouver another terrible first half saved in a rejuvenated second half. And then at home against Columbus, we showed little offensive creativity and despite at times dominating, we gave up 2 goals on 2 shots on goal and couldn't find a way to score.

The run ends tonight at Chivas USA. Sure, we have a home match against the Atlanta Silverbacks in US Open Cup play next week, but we should absolutely not be saving players for a home match against one of the worst teams in the second division. Losing this match, or just playing poorly, would leave a bad taste in our mouths until we pick up MLS play again in mid-June against Montreal. That's a long time to have to stew over a loss.

And unfortunately, Chivas is a team that's inexplicably played the Sounders well. Despite only being a playoff team once in the three years that Seattle's been in the league, we have a drawn record at 2-2-3. That's a better record than a lot of very good teams have against Seattle. They've been especially tough in Carson, where we finally beat them for the first time in 4 tries in the last regular season match of 2011 (in which Mauro Rosales reinjured his knee before the playoff matchup with RSL and. . anyway, moving on..)

This season they're once again scuffling around the bottom half of the Western Conference trying to scratch into the playoffs, but may have been rejuvenated by a recent flurry of moves that netted them two out of favor players in Danny Califf from the Philadelphia Union and Juan Agudelo from the New York Red Bulls.

There's also the addition of onetime Seattle stalwart James Riley at right back in the offseason and Juan Pablo Angel, one of the best strikers in MLS history, who joined the team late last season after the Galaxy jettisoned him to make room for Robbie Keane. This is now a formidable roster, and they showed it in their last three matches, when they earned road draws against the Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes, the two teams at the top of each Conference, and then won at home against the Galaxy for the first time since 2007. Now they invite Seattle to their own last game before a long break and no doubt will give their best match.

In the New York match, Chivas played a sort of skewed 4-1-3-2, with Nick LaBrocca as holding midfielder, Oswaldo Minda in front of him, Blair Gavin on the left, and Paolo Cardozo as advanced midfielder behind Angel and the second striker (who in this match we expect to be Agudelo). The weird thing here is that there's no right midfielder. In the official lineups on the MLS site, LaBrocca is the right midfielder, but that's not where he played. They're effectively playing a sort of diamond, except with a central midfielder (Minda) instead of a right midfielder, and that right midfield space was covered by Riley (who we know likes to get forward). Against the Galaxy, with Alejandro Moreno back in the lineup, LaBrocca was on the right. So we seem some willingness on the part of Robin Fraser to be tactically flexible and deploy players (especially LaBrocca) where he sees a need.

The Seattle roster situation has degraded a bit since we got most of our short-term injuries resolved. Osvaldo Alonso is out serving a two game suspension for his studs up tackle late in the Columbus match. Adam Johansson suffered a hamstring injury in the same match and is out. With Patrick Ianni still out with a back injury, our defensive depth will be sorely tested. Zach Scott is essentially a lock for right back, leaving Jeff Parke and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado in the center. That's certainly not a bad back line, but there are no quality backups, so any injuries in warmups or the game could put us in a bad position. And replacing Alonso will be difficult. Andy Rose has shown flashes of being a solid defensive presence in midfield in filling in for Brad Evans. He may well do the same for Alonso, but over the last season it's been Servando Carrasco who's deputized for the Honey Badger and we haven't seen much of him this season.

On offense, there are fewer injury concerns. Mauro Rosales is still banged up, but doesn't seem acutely injured. Alvaro Fernandez seems largely recovered. Neither has played particularly well in the last few weeks, but hopefully we can chalk that up to injury recovery and a dense stretch of games. Fredy Montero has been very durable and is sure to be in there. Eddie Johnson also didn't have a good game against Columbus, but I'm sure the team wants to continue improving the chemistry with the rest of the team. If he does sit out, you could see a return to the Montero/David Estrada pairing that featured a bit early in the season.

Tactically, Seattle has become a bit predictable. You're going to see a lot of balls to the right wing where Rosales will duel Ante Jazic to try to get crosses into the two forwards. Less often it'll go left, where Fernandez will try to get by James Riley to create opportunities. If those don't work, we'll punt it directly into Montero and Johnson and hope for a good bounce.

For the Chivas attack, there will have to be some chemistry developed between Angel and Agudelo. They're similar players — both poachers who rely on good service to get them the ball in the box where they can work some magic — and it may take a while for them to figure out how to play together. Providing that service will be Cardozo or Moreno, and usually it'd be Alonso tasked with suffocating that supply. Hopefully his replacement can do the same job. LaBrocca provides an Evans-like ability to provide trailing offense from the midfield and he has a decent long shot that we'll have to respect.

Overall, this is yet another game where Seattle should be favored based purely on talent and long-term consistency, and yet we've seen week after week that the Sounders haven't been able to translate that talent into results, either offensively or defensively. With this being the last MLS game in a long while, this one is as much about digging deep and maintaing some pride than it is about x's and o's. I think we'll know within the first 10 minutes whether the team is mentally prepared for this one or not. Another slow start could doom us to stewing over a 4 game winless streak for the next three weeks.

Sounders Women Face Whitecaps To Start Season

2012-05-26T19:01:39Z

This Sunday, at 4:00, in Coquitlam, the Sounders Women will kick their season off against their neighbors to the North. The rivalry between these two teams is not unlike the men's sides. There is certainly no love lost between these teams. Especially since Sydney Leroux signed with the Sounders, rather than her "home" team. The Caps would love nothing better than to show that they are the superior team. They currently have seven Canadian National Team players on their roster. On paper, they should steamroll every other team in their division. Sound familiar? They have had a rough start though, falling to 0-2-0 in league play.

The Caps just played a friendly against the Canadian National team, and came away with a 1-1 draw in three periods of play. So momentum could be on their side. Neither team will have their National team players, as both Canada and the US will be facing China. The United States will face China on the same day as the Sounders vs. Whitecaps game, in front of a sold out crowd at PPL Park.

This is where the depth of both benches will be proven. In my opinion, the Sounders should come out on top. We will have Veronica Perez leading our side. She has scored in each of our pre-season games, and has the experience and strength to continue finding the goal from the eighteen and beyond. She will also have Sophie Reiser to share the load with. Sophie was the leading scorer for the 2011 Sounders Women, in spite of missing games due to injury. There is also 5'10" forward Kara Kuttler to draw attention from the Caps' defenders.

When asked how the Sounders will face their Northern nemesis, Coach French said, "We have an opportunity to really see what we're made of against arguably some of the best players in Canada, and even some special players who have spent time in the WPS. In playing Vancouver over the years, we know we have to be extremely organized defensively, and then have the patience to play when we gain possession. Our own roster is full of very talented players who will love stepping up to the challenge of competing against a very dangerous Vancouver team."

I asked Coach French how the Sounders will respond to the challenge of playing against a team that started their season off on the wrong foot; a team that will be very hungry for their first win of the season. She responded by saying that "Both teams come into the match with a strong need to come away with a win." She said that it wasn't so much how the Sounders were going to respond to the challenge of the Caps' need to win, but how they maintained their own game.

"For us, the focus will be to put our best product out there from the opening whistle. Playing with a confidence in our own abilities, rather than worrying about what other teams might do, will be huge for our success as we move forward into the regular season."

I know that the Whitecaps traditionally have the largest crowds at their games. That is, until this season. I fully expect the Sounders Women that trounce that tradition. The field in Coquitlam is very tiny. I understand that if the game isn't sold out, it is very close. I also understand that there is a small contingent of fans traveling up I-5 to cheer on the Sounders. If you are heading up to the game, and would like to co-ordinate with the contingent, you can find the details here. If you can't make it, perhaps you can make it to the season home opener against the Colorado Rush on May 31st. You can purchase tickets to that game through the Sounders Women website, here.

When I brought up the fact that the Whitecaps' fans are usually loud and organized, Coach French said that she didn't think the Women would be too distracted. Since the Sounders pre-season games have been filled to capacity, they are used to fans being loud and involved.

"We have definitely been spoiled with the outpouring of support at Starfire during our exhibition games, which has been a huge benefit to us! With Vancouver, in particular, being our opponent for our first league game, the players know the importance of getting some points out of the road trip. I firmly believe we have enough experience on this team to be able to look past the excitement and intensity going on around them, and be solely focused on what is going on on the field. No doubt the Vancouver fans will make it an electric atmosphere!"

Electric indeed. Come on you Sounders!

Sounders Offense Isn't Broken, Just Needs Shining

2012-05-26T14:00:36Z

How hard do we try to fit the Sounders offensive woes into our preconceived narrative? Fans of teams like Barcelona and Brazil see the Rave Green as too direct. Fans of Fucito, Nyassi and other speedsters see a lack of that now. There still isn't a traditional target man, as Eddie Johnson drifts wide and prefers the ball at his feet unless he's banging in a cross. Others want to see more outside shooting. The opinion is out there that Seattle doesn't use enough throughballs.

What if the offense isn't actually significantly broken? The image accompanying this story is of Seattle's shot attempts inside the box against the Columbus Crew. As sidereal recently pointed out Shots in the Box are decently tied to goals scored, the reason for that is because last year 19.51% of shots in the box became goals. The Sounders, even with their potent offense converted an impressive 21.20%. This year that number is down a bit for both the league (17.19%) and the team (13.58%). For the league in the "Opta era" is 18.84%.

Those shots are much more effective than shots from outside the 18 for the league are just over 4%, for Seattle last year it was at 6.40% but has fallen in line with the league average this season. Where the Sounders are particularly pained is in the 18. This is most clearly true for the four games where they failed to score.

Against the Crew the Sounders took 11 shots inside the danger zone. They didn't fall to the blocks syndrome of last year (Montero, Alonso and Fucito being the biggest victims). Instead they failed at a couple simple attempts; most of those failures were with balls at Seattle players' heads. Alvaro Fernandez' miss being the biggest example. Still if a team creates 11 shots inside the 18 one would expect them to score a goal or two, not to mention the ten shots from outside of the box which may get a team one.

But, it's a pattern in the poor goal scoring games. While in none of the others did they generate so many opportunities, the team only gave up two goals in those matches. Against Real Salt Lake those shots were again almost entirely headers, four of five, and none of the attempts were on frame. Maybe Seattle deserved one in that game, but with only a single block and none threatening the keeper probably not. Still they are now to 16 attempts (11 from headers) in the 18 without a goal.

Against the San Jose Earthquakes? Eight attempts, five via the head. Over at D.C. United? Four attempts, all by headers, all off target. A couple of those scoreless games don't deserve goals. Even with Seattle's poor averages (if one is to assume that an average is stable, let's just do that for now) a team like the Sounders can expect to convert more often than they have in those matches. Each came down to missed headers; 20 of the 28 missed shots were via headers. That soccer players aren't as good at scoring via the head as they are with their feet isn't a surprise. But still, the Sounders do score some neat goals via header.

via likkitp.files.wordpress.com

Getting that magic back gets Seattle goals. In their scoreless games the team has left goals on the table. They are creating the opportunities, particularly against the ‘Quakes and the Crew. In fact if you remove those four games the team is right at the league average for converting shots in the box.The mistakes are rather minor, but the chances exist. Enough of those chances exist that ties in both games would have been deserved. Sigi and squad broke the counter; they just didn't complete their patterns. Small improvements acquire the team two to seven more points in those games. The offense isn't a broken headlight; the glass just needs a little buffing.

* Links are to MLSSoccer.com chalkboards. Data is scraped from Opta at MLSSoccer.com.

Seattle Sounders at Chivas USA - Three Questions

2012-05-26T01:07:01Z

Chivas USA is no longer a bad team. Though, that may not matter, they were one of the ones that had Seattle's number for most of the MLS era. Saturday's 7:30 PM game should be entertaining. Both sides are defense first teams with offensive players who are inconsistent, yet able to take over any game against any team. KING 5 has the broadcast on the memorial day weekend, so while many of you may be out of town, you are more likely to be able to see the game.

With the recent trades acquiring Danny Califf and Juan Agudelo (now back in Carson after training with the United States National Team) Chivas looks a bit different. If there's one thing that becomes apparent quickly in our three questions with The Goat Parade is that Robin Frasier is making the team over in his fashion. If they aren't playoff contenders now, they should be soon.

SaH: Most teams that try to rebuild on the fly look hapless and ineffective while doing it. Chivas USA seems to have done it right. Why do outsiders see the trades in a positive light?

tGP: Obviously, we can't fully assess Chivas' moves until after the season, so it could end up going horribly wrong. But the trades last week for Danny Califf and Juan Agudelo look good and have led to immediate results, as Chivas have picked up four points since they joined the team. So far so good it would appear.
Clearly, Califf and Agudelo (who is away with the U.S. Men's National Team this week) are not the only reasons for Chivas improvement in recent games. I think the real reason that the midseason personnel moves look good is because Robin Fraser has been rebuilding the roster since he arrived. He traded for Nick LaBrocca just prior to the 2011 season. He wasn't afraid to ship out Justin Braun, a fan favorite with major problems with consistency, and in hindsight leaving Zarek Valentin unprotected for the Expansion Draft doesn't seem like such a hapless move. The club's scouting seems to have improved tremendously this year, as Chivas have signed two very good players from Ecuador, Oswaldo Minda and Miller Bolanos, and signed a pair of promising Colombians in John Valencia and Jose Correa. Fraser also signed Rauwshan McKenzie, a center back who was buried on the depth chart at Real Salt Lake who has been a revelation now that he's getting a chance to play. And of course they obtained James Riley, who's been a big upgrade at right back over Valentin.

In all, only six players on this team predate Fraser's arrival. Make no mistake: this is Fraser's team, and he is fully responsible for Chivas' fortunes. But there is optimism surrounding this team that hasn't really been present for some time, and that is exciting.

SaH: The backline is stable outside of Pearce/Califf, is that due to lack of options, or because they are just that good?

tGP: I have to admit I'm a little worried Chivas' defense will revert to their late-2011 form, when the sturdy performances melted away and they were prone to giving up early goals and never catching up. This season, the defensive issue has been that Chivas have given up late goals to drop points, which is also worrisome. But Chivas are tied for sixth in goals allowed, and except for the bad loss to Colorado, every game has been within a one goal margin, win or lose. I think left back Ante Jazic is having another strong season, and as I mentioned Riley has been an improvement at right back. The other big change has been the second center back this season. McKenzie has been terrific, but Valencia has played two games and has looked quite good as well. I think one hope Chivas fans have of Califf is that he can provide more consistency than Pearce. Although Pearce is younger, he's been more inconsistent this season, and I was wondering if he should be playing as a full back after all. Califf is definitely a center back, so hopefully he will not be prone to mental lapses that plagued Pearce at times.

SaH: Conversely the midfield/forward and tactics seem to shift quite a bit. Why is this? With JPA and Agudelo will Chivas stick with a two forward set?

tGP: The Goats have picked up their scoring the last four matches, thank goodness (although they've still only scored four goals in that span), but I think Fraser is still trying to figure out what the best attacking lineup is for this team. I doubt Angel will play every game from here on out. Instead, he'll probably play 20-25 matches this season, with some of those appearances coming off the bench. Correa has looked good so far with Chivas, as he's scored two goals in four appearances, and he seems to be a player who can lead the line. And Agudelo is sure to get starts, although I know Fraser will not hesitate to sit him if he's resting on his laurels.

It is practically impossible to predict Fraser's lineups and tactics from game to game, but I think he will either go with two forwards or a three-man front line with fluid winger/forwards on the flanks. He started the season with a 4-5-1/4-1-4-1 formation, which was a disaster as Chivas kept losing 1-0, but since he's started playing two or three players up top the team has started scoring and I imagine he'll stick with more attacking players. But I think the lineup will continue to be juggled until the best attacking players step up and fully claim their places.

* * *
Reverse

tGP: Seattle has started the season well, but it seems like the defense has improved considerably, as they have allowed the fewest goals in the league. What has changed to improve the defense? Or have the midfield and goalkeeper made the difference?

SaH: I had thought that the defense was better because of the ability to rotate tactical options into the starting lineup while forcing everyone to be in top form match to match. Now though the troubles with a high amount of defensive rotation are starting to cause communication issues. The defense wasn't as good as it seemed in the first ten games, but it's also not as bad as it's looked from the scoreline in the last two games.

Only four shots were put on frame in those matches, all became goals. The talent is strong. Zach Scott can mark a great player out of a game. Jeff Parke may not be fast, or as strong as other CBs, but he reads the game at a national team level. Patrick Ianni uses his strength to battle the bulls of MLS. If Leo Gonzalez is back to full health he'll provide a defensive option, or Sigi can go with Marc Burch to help more in the attack. The options are individually strong, they need to play like that again.

tGP: Speaking of goalkeeping, the Sounders' new starter Michael Gspurning has been out injured and Bryan Meredith has come into his place. How has the youngster played in Gspurning's absence?

SaH: Meredith isn't as good as Gspurning, but he's got enough talent to start in the league for several years. His reactions are great. He commands the backline well for one so young. His service is low and accurate. Where he gets into trouble sometimes is reading the game. That was made so clear in the Crew's second goal against Seattle on Wednesday night. Defending the cross is also a little bit of a weakness.

tGP: Like Chivas, Seattle are set to begin U.S. Open Cup play next week. Are the Sounders going for another USOC title, or has the emphasis shifted to the league or CONCACAF Champions League as the main objective for this team?

SaH: Seattle's FO proved that the US Open Cup and getting a 4th straight Cup is part of their plan for the year when they bought the right to host their first match of 212 from the Atlanta Silverbacks. This is only one of their goals though, and not the largest. It isn't an MLS Cup or bust year, but the MLS Cup is the major goal of 2012. To attempt these goals is going to place pressures throughout the 30 man roster. Sigi will continue to shift lineups. Already young rookie-ish players Caskey, Rose, Meredith, Sivebaek and Cato have played roles in important MLS games. David Estrada is now the vital roleplayer on the squad and started against Santos Laguna. Schmid wants to give players chances, generally they succeed. But this year it's going to be as hard as ever, most MLS teams can't think about these goals, even then, most fail. The test will be how close Seattle can get.

Osvaldo Alonso Suspended Two Matches for Two-Footed Tackle

2012-05-25T22:04:48Z

Referring to Abbott's earlier post, Osvaldo Alonso is one player who's never been afraid to talk about opponents' mothers, at least metaphorically. Even when the rest of the team seems listless and passive, he brings his hard bite to defensive midfield, game in and game out. But likely in large part due to the frustrations building in a bad home loss to the Columbus Crew, Alonso bit too hard and went in for a dangerous, ill-advised tackle on Cole Grossman on a 50/50 ball and though he was left on the field at the time, today the league has suspended him for two games, strongly implying that it should have been a red card.

As a bit of extra flavor (and not that it makes the tackle any less bad) but I was 8 rows up from where Grossman came off the field after rolling around on the ground and he smiled and laughed at the fans who were booing him for timewasting.

The big question will be whether it's Andy Rose or Servando Carrasco who fills in at defensive midfield. Full release is below the jump.

MLS Disciplinary Committee Suspends and Fines Seattle Sounders FC Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and LA Galaxy Midfielder Hector Jimenez

NEW YORK (May 25, 2012) - The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso for two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for a reckless challenge in the 82nd minute of Wednesday's game that endangered the safety of his opponent, Columbus Crew midfielder Cole Grossman. Alonso left his feet, showed his studs and used excessive force (VIDEO).

The Disciplinary Committee also suspended LA Galaxy midfielder Hector Jimenez one additional game and fined him an undisclosed amount for a challenge in the 59^thminute of Wednesday's game that demonstrated disregard for the safety of his opponent, San Jose Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour. Jimenez left his feet, showed his studs and used excessive force (VIDEO). The referee issued Jimenez a red card, which carries an automatic one game suspension, so his total suspension is two games.

Fines collected will be donated to the charitable partners of MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the MLS Players Union.