After a lackluster loss against Los Angeles last weekend, Sigi Schmid wanted his players to respond with effort against New York. Led by the hard-working Brad Evans, Seattle responded by posting a hard-fought 1-0 road win on Saturday night against the Eastern Conference leaders.
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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The player who set the tone was Evans, who moved into the front line and chased New York’s defenders tirelessly during his entire shift. A victim of some uneven performances early in the season that led to his replacement in the midfield, Evans has responded admirably in his new do-everything role and led Seattle’s high-pressure game plan.
Last week, Schmid complimented Evans on his hard runs in the latter stages of the team’s loss to the Galaxy. He turned in a similar performance against New York, running down balls and pressuring New York’s back line. With Fredy Montero starting on the bench, Evans’ offered the work rate Schmid wanted from the center forward in the 4-3-3.
While he didn’t find the back of the net himself, Evans also provided the assist on the winning goal, dropping back to midfield to loft a pinpoint cross to Montero.
After a week of practice in which Schmid preached determination and grit, Seattle’s desire was evident from the outset as the Sounders pressured New York deep in their own half. The effort started up front as Evans’ colleagues on the front line, Sanna Nyassi and Steve Zakuani, followed his lead.
Nyassi, who has been on the fringes of Schmid’s squad, provided much of Seattle’s attack in the early stages of the match. He came within inches of scoring in the second half, but his shot on an empty net was cleared away by a retreating Danleigh Borman.
Nyassi had also started the second half with a nice effort with his left foot, but couldn’t match the heroics of the man who replaced him. Despite not appearing until the 77th minute, Montero was clearly the player of the match, turning in a heroic performance after an unprecedented spell on the bench.
The Colombian admitted earlier in the week that Schmid’s decision to yank him from the Galaxy game “hurt” him. But his 85th-minute strike Saturday capped a commendable performance in a rare substitute’s role. He now has three goals on the season to go with three assists.
Seattle now return home to try to keep the momentum going, against San Jose on May 22 before hosting Argentinean club Boca Juniors in a friendly match four days later.
