Sounders reach CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals

I don’t think it was up to our standard tonight. “Central was unsafe on the break, and I thought that they did a good job defending the lead”. “He’s so important to us and we have missed him (in MLS)”. “Not giving up any goals is something we are very happy with”.

That seemed to put the game away, but jsut for good measure, the Sounders added a third just after halftime. He was there, of course, if we needed him.

On Saturday evening, I took to 86ersForever Twitter account to tweet the follow “OMG PEOPLE!!!!”

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made his SCCL debut for Sounders FC, making two saves en route to his 11 shutout across all competitions. In the back, obviously, with losing (Román) Torres we don’t have as many options in the back.

The Whitecaps started out strong, albeit in their “easiest” game of the 3, defeating C.D. Olimpia last Wednesday night, at BC Place.

In a week’s period, where the Whitecaps had a great chance to solidify themselves as a force within North American soccer, that they belonged in the conversation of elite teams, they faltered. I don’t think it was up to our standard when we played at home.

Vancouver also suffered a 3-0 loss to Seattle in MLS play on Saturday. While I can certainly come up with excuses -injuries, whole-sale changes, etc. – at some point, you need to accept the data you have in front of you and say, when pressed to make considerable changes, the Whitecaps have failed to perform. I made changes based upon energy levels within the team. We give away a couple of bad goals.

“In any game you play, once you cross that white line, it’s about the correct mentality”. They were goals that came from mistakes. The first goal went in, and as in every game, the first goal is always crucial. “It’s a little carrot for us this Wednesday (against Seattle) if we can go and get a result”.

Two minutes into the second half, Seattle completed the scoreline. “All in all, a disappointing night, but we’ve got to brush ourselves down now”.

A pleased Sigi Schmid talked about his balanced lineup that helped the Sounders move forward. There’s nothing I can say about that. “The guys know that and I’ve let them know that”. We need to be better. All ten field players for the Sounders constantly put the Whitecaps under pressure. We’ll take responsibility for that. Ben McKendry, who hasn’t played a minute for me, was set to be on the bench barring a last-minute decision. “I think if we would have done this we would have advanced”.

“Without a doubt. In any competition we have, we have aspirations to try and do well”. “It’s a good thing we have a game three days from now”. Tonight hasn’t cost us really.

Vancouver (1-1-1, 4 points) still can tie on points by beating Olimpia in Honduras on October 22, but the Sounders own the tiebreaker on goal differential, 4-1. Seattle did (take care of business), so credit to them for taking advantage of that. “The proof is in the pudding with these young guys”.

“They’ll get massive benefit out of (this year)”, said Robinson. The top two teams in the conference will then play the winners in two-leg semifinals. We’ve got five big MLS games coming up.

The Caps, by virtue of winning the 2015 Canadian title, will get another go at Champions League next summer. “Probably not, but it doesn’t matter now because we don’t have to”. And perhaps Robinson’s young players will have learned some valuable lessons.