TUKWILA, Wash. — Losses are always difficult, especially against “boogey-teams,” but with one day to reflect, three things can be gleaned from the Sounders’ 1-0 defeat to the LA Galaxy.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado is fully back from his ACL injury
Preseason matches aside, last night Hurtado played in his first competitive game since tearing the ACL in his left knee on May 24 of last year. While the Sounders got a break when Juan Pablo Angel stayed in Southern California, Hurtado faced an active front line of Mike Magee and Chad Barrett.
Hurtado performed admirably. The one goal allowed by Seattle resulted from a turnover and a shot from distance by a midfielder. By that measure Hurtado and the rest of the back line were not culpable and played well in limiting last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners to two shots on goal.
“I thought he played well,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “I thought defensively he played good.”
“The goal we gave up, I’m not happy with that, but I don’t think he was involved there. We need to step to Juninho.”
Schmid also complimented Hurtado on his one-on-one defending and his improved left foot, which he worked on during his injury recovery.
[inline_node:330784]Erik Friberg can play at this level
Seattle’s Swedish midfielder certainly found himself in the center of the action. With Brad Evans’ injury, Friberg stepped into the starting lineup and performed admirably in the center of the midfield. The 24-year-old’s errant pass did lead to the only goal of the game, but on the balance of the match Friberg was one of Seattle’s better players.
He also contributed good service on set pieces, with one free kick leading to an Alvaro Fernandez header that was saved by Josh Saunders.
"I thought he ran out of gas and we had to make subs in some different areas but I thought for the first 60 minutes he was very good," Schmid said of Friberg.
The Sounders may not need Blaise Nkufo, but they need someone like him
With O’Brian White in the starting lineup, Seattle did not get the hold-up play they needed. With his back to the goal, White couldn’t consistently hold off defenders and keep possession for the Sounders.
Schmid said he and the coaching staff are working with White on this facet of his game.
“He stayed strong up there, and he was on the pitch for a very long time,” said teammate Steve Zakuani. “As long as he was out there he was always a threat.”
Zakuani indicated that there were some miscommunications on the field during White’s first game with the Rave Green, but he was pleased with his work rate.
One player who has the frame to provide that hold-up play is Nate Jaqua. Last night Adrian Hanauer mentioned Jaqua’s impending return from injury as one of the reasons the club agreed to part ways with Nkufo.
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