Sounders FC Player Ratings v New England

By Steven Agen 

Stefan Frei – 7

There was very, very little to do for Frei in the opening match of his second season with Seattle. When called upon, though, he was spectacular. His fingertip on Rowe’s shot from distance was world class. It saved Seattle from a deadlock at the break, after they’d been dominant in the first 45. In truth, it allowed the Sounders to keep the mometnum they had and they doubled their lead just minutes later. A smart punch on a cross in the second half was the worst he was tested after that. The save, though, was worth two points in his score.

Tyrone Mears – 7.5

Good way to start his Seattle career with a beautiful cross that Martins headed home for 2-0. Hardly put a foot wrong defensively. If we’re nitpicking, he turned the ball over in his own end in the second half, leading to a chance off a cross for New England. All in all, though, his one on one presence and positioning were excellent. He clearly knows when it’s appropriate to get forward, and that’s a valuable tool for Seattle. Yedlin was great, but prone to coming upfield at bad times. Mears reads the game better, and picks his moments well. For the short term, he looks like an improvement from Yedlin.

Chad Marshall – 7.5

He picked up right where he left off and won almost everything in the air, and helped the Sounders limit the Revs to just one shot on goal. No real mistakes to speak of. He come close to opening the scoring off a corner in the first twenty minutes, as well. What else can you say? He’s the same guy who won defender of the year last year, and looked every bit of it.

Brad Evans – 7

He gets a half point for playing to zero at the back in his first game playing alongside Marshall. Brad had a terrible giveaway that led to Rowe’s cracker, and several other poor balls out of the back. He’ll need to work on clearances, but that wasn’t the concern for Seattle coming into the season. They need Evans to be rock solid defensively, and he was. Had several important sliding intervention in the first half before the Sounders put the game out of reach. I didn’t think there was any chance that he’d step in and look like an above-average MLS centerback, but that’s exactly what he did.

Leo Gonzalez – 8

How does he keep getting better with age? My biggest concern regarding the defense was if Gonzalez could show anything like he did last year. He did. The Costa Rican totally shut down the Revs down their right side, and contributed well to the attack from a deep position. No wonder Correa hasn’t taken his spot yet- Gonzalez is still one of the top men in the league when it comes to one on one defending and positional awareness. There are questions as to whether he’ll be able to do it for an entire season, but, if Sunday was any indication, left back isn’t a worry for Seattle this year.

Marco Pappa – 7.5

He worked very hard defensively, continuing the trend he started last season. Schmid mentioned having Pappa pop in and out of a more central space this year, and he did on Sunday to great effect. He looks like a third superstar next to Dempsey and Martins. His through ball leading to Dempsey’s tap-in on the game’s final goal was utterly exquisite. What a move! Martins and Dempsey frequently keep the ball to themselves. Involving Pappa as they did on Sunday adds the dimension to their attack that I worried they would lack.

Michael Azira – 7

More than adequate in filling in for Alonso. He was the least active player offensively in the Seattle midfield, but he’s not out there to attack.  He may be nearly as good as Alonso is when it comes to dispossessing the opponent and marking the right man. His dirty work allowed Pineda to run the offense without worry. Won the ball back in great spots and didn’t look out of place. Seattle fans shouldn’t worry when they see his name on the team sheet until Alonso returns.

Gonzalo Pineda – 8

Pineda proved why preseason matches don’t matter. He was quiet in Tucson, but turned it up on Sunday. Strung pass after pass through the New England midfield. His occasional set pieces looked threatening. Played better positionally than I thought he had the legs to. Hanauer and co. continue to look like geniuses for finding him. For my money, he was the most questionable Seattle starter this year. On Sunday, he looked fit to have the keys to the best offense in the league.

Lamar Neagle – 6

Worked hard on defense, but was really quiet offensively. He’ll need to be less streaky to keep his starting role throughout the season. He helped Gonzalez defensively, and that bumps him up to a six in a performance that I don’t have a lot of comments on, otherwise.

Obafemi Martins – 8.5 (MOTM)

He was playing a different game than everyone else, again. He pops up everywhere and makes life hell for the defense. Relentless with the ball at his feet, and chasing it down when he doesn’t. Scored a beautiful header on 41 minutes. He gets a half point for his contributions to the move that led to the third goal, and another half point for unselfishly tapping the ball for Dempsey to roll into the net. The forward partnership looked better than ever, and one wonders if MLS defenses will ever figure out how to stop Dempsey and Martins from combining.

Clint Dempsey – 8

He won and converted the penalty that put Seattle up 1-0. Played Tyrone Mears down the right wing, before the right back crossed to Martins for 2-0. Was instrumental in the move that led to 3-0 before having the honor of rolling the ball into the empty net. That touch he takes to pass to Martins, behind his back with the inside of his right foot, fools the New England defense and the writing was on the wall from there. It’s like a soccer version of the Lakers’ old Showtime antics. And it works. Watch out, world, a rested Clint Dempsey is a scary thing for MLS.

Match recap in pictures

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