Match Thoughts: Colorado Rapids Vs. Seattle Sounders

Before the match I tapped Sounders to come out of Colorado with a point, three if they played really well. Unfortunately, I don't think any of us expected what happened.

The whole tone of the match was changed in the 3rd minute when Rapids MF Brian Mullan staged a horrific slide tackle on Steve Zakuani. You could hear his leg fracture on TV, Kyle Martino said it was worse in person. Zakuani was stretchered off and Mullan was shown a red card. In all the years I've spent watching sports, that was one of the worst things I've seen. I said my peace in the previous blog entry about it, I'm sure Mullan meant no injury. As for the match, the Rapids found themselves down a man early.

Over the next few minutes, the entire match had a cloud hanging over it as both sides seemed a bit dazed. The Rapids, despite the man disadvantage, had a great run of possession in Sounders territory and had a nice free kick blocked in the 16th minute. However, they couldn't find the back of the net, and Seattle ended up with a great counter chance. After breaking down the pitch, Montero scored a less than impressive goal to put Sounders ahead 0-1 in the 19th minute.

After that, Seattle decided to take the night off. They were obviously rattled by the Zakuani injury. They could not take possession away from the Rapids, and when they did have it, they just kicked the ball around the back line without even trying to get forward. Colorado almost made them pay for that twice. Had you not watched the entire match, you would not have known Seattle was up a man. In the 44th minute, Cummings had a nice break chance for Colorado, but hit the shot high and we went to half with the 0-1 score line.

Seattle started the second half a little better, but quickly reverted to the pallor in which they had played the first half. Colorado tried to take advantage. In the 51st minute, Larentowicz put a shot on goal but it was saved by Keller. Seattle had a chance to ice it in the 54th minute, but Pickens made a great save on a shot by O'Brian White.

Following that chance, Colorado really upped the pressure for the rest of the match, but just couldn't find the net. Honestly, they played a better match than Seattle did, but a nice effort in goal all night long by Kasey Keller made Montero's goal hold up and gave the Sounders an ugly 3 points.

The win catapults the Sounders up the table, but I doubt they'll take much joy in it. The loss of Zakuani hurts them, and it's likely to be a long term loss. After that, they pretty much played a horrible match except for the goal on the counter. They're gonna need to get it together. Montero can't do it all, and they shouldn't let him try.

More bad news for the Rapids. They still have hardly any healthy forwards, and dropping all these points early could kill them come CONCACAF time this summer. Supposedly, they have depth. Where? Also, totally classless for Gary Smith to refer to Zakuani as "the player." He whines so much he's starting to sound like Wenger. All that being said, Colorado played the better match and probably deserved a point.