There can be few remaining doubters as to the merits of Seattle as a team to be reckoned with. Having passed every test it has faced with something to spare thus far, the Sounders look like a savvy MLS veteran, as opposed to the raw rookie they are meant to be.
Against Toronto, there was no drop-off despite the fact they were on the road and without Fredy Montero. Sigi Schmid's team demonstrated that it is a collective group capable of adapting to circumstances in order to succeed. Perhaps the greatest endorsement of Seattle's start is that there has been no need to rush Freddie Ljungberg into action, though his debut was impressive. Seven goals scored thus far have come from five different sources.
It starts at the back, where the defense has allowed only 10 shots on goal, all of which Kasey Keller has saved. Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans anchor a midfield that has grit and creativity in almost equal measure. Up front, Steve Zakuani has shown flashes of why he was the No. 1 pick in January, alongside the reliable Nate Jaqua.
Of course, despite this glowing testimonial, three wins does not a championship make, and many challenges are to come for Seattle. However, based on the opening three weeks, beyond Chivas, Chicago and New England, who is there to challenge the Sounders?
At a Los
Certainly not the Galaxy, who, if it is possible, have begun this season in even greater disarray than they finished last year. Saturday's game against Colorado featured defending that would have an under-10 coach tearing his or her hair out.
The nature of the goals conceded by Bruce Arena's side was the most disturbing. Conor Casey could scarcely have believed his luck as the Los Angeles back line was caught square time and again, while its inability to focus after restarts was amateur hour at its best. Even when the Galaxy did have the ball, they didn't seem to want it, as was emphasized by Sean Franklin's giveaway, which led to the third Rapids goal.
Apparently, Arena pulled few punches in his postmatch comments, but the question is, what good will calling out his players do? If an entire offseason has done little to solve the problems that have long blighted this side, I doubt that harsh words will have much effect. Nor will Gregg Berhalter, who must be wondering what he has let himself in for.
D.C. collects first win
Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, another historical league powerhouse is breathing a little easier after registering its first win. After relinquishing leads in each of its opening two games, D.C. United finally held on to an advantage against Houston.
The result was much-needed, yet the performance still left much to be desired. Louis Crayton's return in goal was a boost, as was the predatory goal-scoring ability of Luciano Emilio, but to me, this is still a team with issues. Inexperience at the back has resulted in leads being squandered, while offensive sparks have flamed out too early in games -- D.C. has not scored past the 62nd minute this season -- due in no small part to the aging legs of the likes of Christian Gomez and Ben Olsen.
D.C. has been outshot in each of its three games and looks little better than the side that failed to make the playoffs last season. And yet, despite that, United is one of five remaining unbeaten sides in the league, suggesting that there is no need to panic in the nation's capital. How much better can they get, though?
Well played, young Revs
Steve Nicol has long been known as one of the foremost evaluators of talent among the league's coaches, but even New England fans must have been uncertain of what to expect when their side's opening day lineup featured a pair of rookies -- Kevin Alston and Darrius Barnes -- in the back four.
Despite that inexperience, San Jose was dispatched 1-0. A week later, however, the average age and experience of the side dropped further when Brad Knighton replaced the injured Matt Reis in goal. Again, no matter, as Knighton immediately looked assertive and confident in the draw with New York before following up that display with a nine-save performance against Dallas.
Long-term, New England will not win without Reis, Shalrie Joseph, Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman. However, what their young players, who also include Chris Tierney, Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally, have shown is that age is a relative thing. If you're good enough, you're old enough.
By putting their trust in and support behind these youngsters, Nicol and Paul Mariner have, once again, dealt with offseason departures so efficiently that New England looks like it will be playoff-bound for the eighth straight year.
A thing that made me go hmmm
It should have been the weekend brought to you in association with Hallmark as referees dished out 26 yellows and four red cards in eight games.
Of the sendings-off, I thought two -- those of Dema Kovalenko and Andy Iro -- were totally justified. Both men went over the top of the ball and, regardless of whether or not they got a touch, their challenges were simply dangerous.
John Thorrington's was a borderline call; it looked like Mac Kandji's run on goal might have been covered by Bakary Soumare. Jaime Moreno certainly was unlucky. Given the position on the field in which the foul occurred and the lack of intent that there seemed to be, other than slowing a faster opponent, for Baldomero Toledo to issue a straight red seemed harsh.
My opinion is not really as important as the fact that, to form it, I had to watch each of these incidents a number of times. Referees have no such luxury and so it's only right to give a nod in their direction when they get things, pretty much, right. Goodness knows, they'll hear about it when they don't!
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Andrew Hush
