TUKWILA, Wash. — Scoring six goals in a game has a way of covering up any number of missteps.
In the Seattle Sounders’ case, it was some rather regrettable defending. Facing a Chivas USA team that had scored a league-low 15 goals coming into the game, the Sounders gave up two goals and allowed 21 shots in last Saturday’s 6-2 win.
That equaled Chivas USA’s highest-scoring game and was the most shots the Sounders had allowed all year.
“They were very active, played with a lot of energy, more energy than the last few times we’ve played them,” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. “They were difficult to mark in that regard.”
To a degree, though, that was what Schmid expected, as Chivas USA are very much fighting for their playoff hopes at this point. That also proved to be a double-edged sword, as the Sounders were able to repeatedly exploit the holes left in Chivas’ defense.
“When a team plays a little like they play, where it was more of a [kamikaze] style, where they just let their front five run and move and take all kinds of risks and played with a lot of desperation, sometimes that happens,” Schmid said. “You have to weather those storms, and we did. Some good recovery plays and got lucky some other times, but we were clinical on the other end of the field.”
Montero eyes Colombia call-up
Fredy Montero has not received a call-up to the Colombian national team since August 2009. That’s mainly a product of Colombia’s attacking depth, but there’s also been a perception that the country’s coaches don’t think particularly well of MLS.
Montero is hopeful that his recent form will help grab the attention of José Pekerman for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Chile on Sept. 7 and 11, respectively.
“If he calls me, I’m ready to go,” Montero said. “I’m just saying hopefully soon that opportunity comes to me.”
So far, the only players from the current Sounders squad to be called in for the upcoming international break are Mario Martínez, who will join Honduras for their World Cup qualifiers against Cuba, and Adam Johansson, who'll be in camp with Sweden. Philadelphia Union central defender Carlos Valdés, meanwhile, has gotten the call from Pekerman, but the entire squad isn't yet set.
Injury updates
Andy Rose (fractured rib) continues to be listed as “out” on the Sounders’ injury report, meaning he probably won’t play again until the Sept. 8 game against Chivas USA at the earliest. Joining him on the injury report was backup goalkeeper Andrew Weber, who’s listed with an abductor strain.
Jeremiah Oshan covers the Seattle Sounders for MLSsoccer.com and SB Nation.
