Seattle Sounders 2015 Season Thread

[knownone]

Sounders minus Martins and Dempsey are a terrible team. They are not even playoff caliber without those two. They have absolutely no depth and to rely on guys like Neagle, Rose, Barrett, Craven, etc is a lost cause. There's no way the Timbers should have dominated this game like they did.

This is just wrong. No team in MLS could lose 3 of their best players and be a play-off team. Seattle has had to rotate players because of international call ups, nagging injuries, suspensions, All of this while in the midst of a 5 game in 15 day stretch... I don't think Seattle fares very well even if Martins and Dempsey were available, we may have won a game or two but this team looked exhausted everywhere. You can cry depth all you want, but no team in MLS has the depth to succeed consistently in this scenario. Even the team with the most depth in MLS.... the Seattle Sounders.

with the looming recovery of Martins and the Gold Cup coming up, this will be a tough time for a fan base that isn't accustomed to losing.

 

[Smurf]

Ive said it for 7 years now, Osvaldo Alonso is the most important player on the pitch. He allows us to play ball the way we want (free flowing attack). Without him we are suspect in the midfield. We have played without Martins and Dempsey before...but we had ozzie to anchor us. His absence is hurting us more that Oba and Duece.

We should have ozzie for fridays match, and i expect things to go better.

Even missing ozzie i have not been pleased with the team selections sigi has been making. Granted i dont know all of the minor injuries the team has...but im still not pleased.

 

[Seabhac]

Not pleasant to watch....but this is the kind of stretch that will galvanize the Sounders later in the season when all weapons are available.

No panic. We'll get even later.

I agree with Smurf - Ozzie will make a huge difference when he gets back.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

 

[Smurf]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

So true. MLS cups are rarely won just with players 1-11. Its 12-18 than win the cups. You need your role players to be able to step up and make big strides for the team. The Galaxy are one of the best when it comes to that.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

So true. MLS cups are rarely won just with players 1-11. Its 12-18 than win the cups. You need your role players to be able to step up and make big strides for the team. The Galaxy are one of the best when it comes to that.

Yep, and me thinks this is one of the main reasons Lagerwey was brought in and Adrian "moved on to other business ventures." We used to have very good depth on our roster. Now this is arguably the worst depth the Sounders have had in their existence.

As we're finding out, you can't go through an entire MLS season and not have your depth and bench tested. Especially if you have national teams players and playing in CONCACAF and the US Open.

 

[knownone]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

So true. MLS cups are rarely won just with players 1-11. Its 12-18 than win the cups. You need your role players to be able to step up and make big strides for the team. The Galaxy are one of the best when it comes to that.

Yep, and me thinks this is one of the main reasons Lagerwey was brought in and Adrian "moved on to other business ventures." We used to have very good depth on our roster. Now this is arguably the worst depth the Sounders have had in their existence.

As we're finding out, you can't go through an entire MLS season and not have your depth and bench tested. Especially if you have national teams players and playing in CONCACAF and the US Open.

Interesting. Seattle seemed to do fine before losing Martins, Dempsey, Evans, Pappa, Pineda, Barrett, Alonso, Leo and Marshall for portions of a 5 game in 15 day stretch and being forced to rotate players in who have little chemistry together...

This is more of a perfect storm of events than an indictment on the Sounders depth.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

So true. MLS cups are rarely won just with players 1-11. Its 12-18 than win the cups. You need your role players to be able to step up and make big strides for the team. The Galaxy are one of the best when it comes to that.

Yep, and me thinks this is one of the main reasons Lagerwey was brought in and Adrian "moved on to other business ventures." We used to have very good depth on our roster. Now this is arguably the worst depth the Sounders have had in their existence.

As we're finding out, you can't go through an entire MLS season and not have your depth and bench tested. Especially if you have national teams players and playing in CONCACAF and the US Open.

Interesting. Seattle seemed to do fine before losing Martins, Dempsey, Evans, Pappa, Pineda, Barrett, Alonso, Leo and Marshall for portions of a 5 game in 15 day stretch and being forced to rotate players in who have little chemistry together...

This is more of a perfect storm of events than an indictment on the Sounders depth.

Go back as far as you want, there were times when many of our starters AND DP's were hurt and/or gone from matches. But we always had a good mix of veterans and young players who could at least scratch out a point in matches.

These bench players are flat out getting embarrassed. Sorry, but when you're promoting S2 players mid season? That's not a good barometer of your bench.

 

[Smurf]

Friberg official. Waiting on the VISA and the window to officially open. First match perhaps vs Chicago Fire

 

[hawkfan68]

Welcome to the MLS, the biggest drop off on the planet between your starters and bench players.

So true. MLS cups are rarely won just with players 1-11. Its 12-18 than win the cups. You need your role players to be able to step up and make big strides for the team. The Galaxy are one of the best when it comes to that.

Bingo. This is exactly what I was trying to convey. I just didn't do it as well as you. Thanks Smurf. Galaxy is the team I was thinking of winning w/o their stars.

Call ups happen at the same time each year. They could have taken that in consideration when developing the depth. This is something I hope changes in the near future. Sort of like the saying "people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan". The Sounders have failed to account for the call ups, etc this year. Martins' gets injured sometime during each season. He's frail compared to other players. I don't remember a season where he's been healthy the whole time. He's a great player but you have to take his health history into account and plan accordingly. Dempsey, Evans, and Pappa are national team members, respectively. They miss games due to that each season. Plan for it. The Sounders are playing green guys like Jones, Fisher, etc. These guys need playing time at the S2 level. They are not MLS ready and that is what is hurting the team right now. Plus Neagle, Rose, Azira, and Barrett aren't consistently reliable players. They're good one game and terrible the next.

 

[Uncle Si]

The Sounders have a fairly deep Academy as well as a Reserve team playing in the USL. Those are the areas that should be used for call ups, as that is their purpose (development).

 

[knownone]

Go back as far as you want, there were times when many of our starters AND DP's were hurt and/or gone from matches. But we always had a good mix of veterans and young players who could at least scratch out a point in matches.

These bench players are flat out getting embarrassed. Sorry, but when you're promoting S2 players mid season? That's not a good barometer of your bench.

Talent wise i'd argue this is one of the deepest teams the Sounders have had.
I respect what you are saying, I just don't see it.

Many times? How about last year? This team depth wise is no different than last years team. Is anyone really longing for Cam Weaver, Sean Okoli, or Jalil Anibaba to come off the bench and save us this year? There is a case to be made about Kenny Cooper but can you really expect Oba, Dempsey, and Barrett to be out at the same time? Debatable, but for it to happen during a congested schedule is literally worst case scenario. If it were 5 games over a month, chances are good Seattle responds better.

The issue is not depth, the issue is plugging guys in with very little time to prepare who simply haven't worked together.

 

[knownone]

4th "Core DP" won't happen this season. Just won't. Maybe next year.

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/...le-change-could-be-on-its-way-the-core-player
More and more rumors coming out that this could indeed be happening during the summer window...

 

[Smurf]

4th "Core DP" won't happen this season. Just won't. Maybe next year.

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/...le-change-could-be-on-its-way-the-core-player
More and more rumors coming out that this could indeed be happening during the summer window...

god i hate the MLS sometimes...


in related news it seems the league is keen on bringing in some of Mexico's biggest stars. Gio Dos Santos is rumored to be heading to LAG and Chicharito is rumored to be heading to Orlando City.



And if we are talking about a 4th DP...well....Fredy Montero is available...

 

[SeatownJay]

4th "Core DP" won't happen this season. Just won't. Maybe next year.

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/...le-change-could-be-on-its-way-the-core-player
More and more rumors coming out that this could indeed be happening during the summer window...

god i hate the MLS sometimes...


in related news it seems the league is keen on bringing in some of Mexico's biggest stars. Gio Dos Santos is rumored to be heading to LAG and Chicharito is rumored to be heading to Orlando City.



And if we are talking about a 4th DP...well....Fredy Montero is available...

Looks like MLS wants to add the "core player" provision this summer so LA can sign Dos Santos.

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015 ... re-player/

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Looks like MLS wants to add the "core player" provision this summer so LA can sign Dos Santos.

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015 ... re-player/

When in doubt, do what the Galaxy wants, or else. *cough* Beckham rule *cough*

In the end this will benefit the Sounders just as much because our ownership also spends, but yeah super annoying that the league continues to create and change it's entire rules structure for the specific benefit of one franchise.

 

[Uncle Si]

Looks like MLS wants to add the "core player" provision this summer so LA can sign Dos Santos.

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015 ... re-player/

When in doubt, do what the Galaxy wants, or else. *cough* Beckham rule *cough*

In the end this will benefit the Sounders just as much because our ownership also spends, but yeah super annoying that the league continues to create and change it's entire rules structure for the specific benefit of one franchise.

Can no other franchise use this rule?

It seems they are changing the rules to accommodate an influx of foreign talent they initially were not prepared for. This league needs stars. And if its the likes of Santos, Pirlo, Gerrard than you do whatever is necessary to bring them in.

That said, those players are not moving here to play at Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC, etc. They want LA, Florida, New York addresses.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Can no other franchise use this rule?

In the end this will benefit the Sounders just as much

 

[Uncle Si]

Can no other franchise use this rule?

In the end this will benefit the Sounders just as much

You also mention the rule was created to benefit one franchise. I don't feel like using multiple quote devices to point out the hypocrisy.

The rule is designed, as I see it, for the league and its ability to attract foreign superstars who are fading from top level soccer. Is this not the case?

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Can no other franchise use this rule?

In the end this will benefit the Sounders just as much

You also mention the rule was created to benefit one franchise. I don't feel like using multiple quote devices to point out the hypocrisy.

The rule is designed, as I see it, for the league and its ability to attract foreign superstars who are fading from top level soccer. Is this not the case?

Just as Seatown Jay said, I do believe this new Core Player rule was created in order for LA to sign Dos Santos, the timing is just too convenient...........as well as the MLS changing it from starting next year to this year's summer transfer window.

But yeah, it's going to help other teams as well, including our Sounders.

Do you not think Garber and the league created player rules to help out it's most prominent franchise?