Can Clint Dempsey see Redemption in Sounders’ near future?
Sounders successfully made it into their seventh consecutive post season yesterday after a 3-1 win over an abysmal Real Salt Lake side.
While no-one should be doing any cartwheels over yesterday’s result, congratulations are in order for Sigi Schmid’s remarkable achievement of seven straight play-off appearances in the club’s first seven seasons.
It should never be assumed that this was inevitable or even that Sounders were somehow “entitled” to it because their large attendances automatically made them a massive club. Games and points are won on the pitch by squads cobbled together under rules of parity which apply to all.
After all, many of the epithets you could apply to Seattle, would also have applied to Toronto FC in their early years. The Reds however have only just made the playoffs for the very first time this year. They too deserve congratulations. They have spent boldly and in Sebastian Giovinco, may have unearthed the greatest ever import to MLS. There was nothing inevitable about their dismal run ending and there was nothing inevitable about the Magnificent Seven of Sounders’ first seven years.
What also is not inevitable is the eventual elimination by the LA Galaxy in the playoffs, although it certainly seems that way. In the last six years, Bruce Arena’s mighty white machine have met, and deposited, the Sounders three times in the post season.
On every occasion, the Sounders have inched a little closer. In 2010, Galaxy sewed up the tie in the first leg in Seattle, and then buried it by scoring the first two goals in California. The outcome was never in doubt by the time Steve Zakuani scored the Sounders first ever playoff goal.
The next time, it should have been over at half time as Sounders were buried 3-0 at the StubHub before winning 2-1 at home. That still left them three goals short as the final whistle blew. But the Seattle side were at least still hopeful right up until Adam Johansson’s outstretched hand gave the Galaxy their late goal from the penalty spot.
Sounders were a goal down with just six minutes to go and at best would have forced extra time, but the lateness of the Galaxy goal at least left the tie alive for most of its duration.
Last year however, it took the away goals rule to separate the sides and Sounders had, for the first time, actually led in the series. The naivety gap had closed.
So the question is: has that gap between LA Galaxy and Sounders closed even further? Has it closed to the point where Sounders can attain redemption for the three previous eliminations?
True, they have some success against the Galaxy in regular season play at the CLink. Often though, Arena had left key players at home, produced a disinterested performance or as last year seemingly surrendered the Supporters Shield to save his ammunition for MLS Cup. But his last two visits to Seattle in playoff action both resulted in 2-1 losses, results nullified by their wins in California.
Will these fans be singing a Redemption Song this week?
This year, they will not have the luxury of a home tie as the game is a one off. So nobody can sit this one out if they don’t like the surface or the airline food. Arena has to throw his considerable array of talent at this match. And will.
The alternative applies.
Sounders merely have to repeat their last two playoff results and they will finally eliminate the giant at the 4th attempt. That inferiority complex, that LA can always brush them aside when it really matters will finally be eradicated. From that point on, there is no telling what the club could achieve.
But first they must as Bob Marley’s Redemption Song goes, “Emancipate themselves from mental slavery”; that sinking feeling that LA Galaxy always bring something a little extra when it matters.
Pound for pound, the visitors have more quality on the starting XI. But Sounders have home advantage and form on their side. They have ground out a series of undefeated performances while the Galaxy have lost their last two, and have struggled mightily on the road.
What would victory mean?
Marley’s song also contains the line “How long shall they kill our prophets?”
The prize for a path forward is another home game, as part of a two legged series, with Vancouver or Dallas the opposition depending on the outcome of the Portland v SKC playoff. That is bound to be a sell out especially if the Whitecaps are the visitors.
Another home and home would follow, with the winner earning a place in the MLS Cup Final. The “profits” left unkilled would be massive.
Outside the financial, there is a bigger picture.
The Galaxy game may well define Sigi Schmid’s tenure at Seattle Sounders.
One outcome leads to the verdict that after seven years Schmid is still no closer to besting old rival, Bruce Arena, leaving little option but to give someone else a chance.
A victory would lead to an alternative conclusion, that the structural changes being made are beginning to bear fruit immediately and the club has jumped a previously insurmountable hurdle with the prospect of more to come.
