Seattle Sounders: 2014 Season is One to Remember
The Seattle Sounders were knocked out of the 2013 MLS playoffs–losing 5-3 on aggregate to their most hated rival, the Portland Timbers–it looked as if it would be a long miserable off-season. For the most part, it was agonizing. Having to listen to Timbers fans talk about how they knocked us out of the playoffs and how we should get used to it (more on that later).
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During the off-season the Sounders made a lot of changes to the team. They brought in Marco Pappa, Chad Barrett, Chad Marshall, Stefan Frei, Gonzalo Pineda and Kenny Cooper to name a few of the new faces. Every single player I just named made an impact at one point or another during the season.
Barrett and Cooper played up top and on the wings while Clint Dempsey was away on international duty. Pineda helped solidify the mid-field after a few games into the season, allowing Osvaldo Alonso to do his thing. Marshall was brought in to shore up the back-line and seemed to find a great partner to pair up with in Zach Scott.
When Frei was brought in I heard a lot of grumblings. The team was about to have their third goalkeeper in four seasons. It would not be easy for Frei to replace his predecessor, Micheal Gspurning. Frei has made some bone head plays but for the most part he has been solid and none of his appearances were more important than the one he made this past weekend.
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There were a few stretches throughout the season that made me shake my head. I will name three for you. The 5-0 drubbing received by the New England Revolution. The 4-1 beat down in September at the hands of the New York Red Bulls. The last one may surprise you. The 2-2 draw on the second to last weekend of the season against the Los Angeles Galaxy. I mention this match because it showed me who this team truly is and what they are capable to do. Falling behind 2-0 5o minutes into the game is disheartening. Somehow the boys pulled it off and gave themselves a chance the following weekend to win the Supporters Shield.
The Seattle Sounders scored 65 goals this season in 34 matches. Their first goal of the season came in the 95th minute of the season opener against the defending champions, Sporting KC. The final goal of the season came in the 95th minute of the season in the final game of the season.
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Who are the two players that scored those goals?
Barrett and Pappa, respectively. Two players that were brought here to help this team and to make a difference. They were also brought in to help this team stick together during the tough times and that is exactly what they did.
They have won two trophies so far this year and have one more to go.
Come on you Seattle Sounders!