Obviously, a goal would have been nice to have.
Or even a scoreless draw.
But all things considered, the Seattle Sounders cannot hate their place as they board a plane today in Monterrey. Sigi Schmid’s team fell to Tigres on Wednesday, 1-0, and will take the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series back to friendlier grounds with a sporting chance here.
So much was thanks to goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, who looked every bit of the high ranking we gave him in our MLS 2013 positional rankings (No. 2, behind only Sporting Kansas City Jimmy Nielsen).
Djimi Traore and Leo Gonzalez were generally strong along the Sounders back line, never mind the big edge in shots to the home team (18-3). The midfield was not nearly as effective for Schmid’s men.
Either way, this certainly beats a 6-1 hammering; that was the score the last time Seattle met Mexican competition south of the border in CCL play.
The return leg is Tuesday at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Highlights are here:
.
-
USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.
-
If Bayern triumph in Champions League, could we have a dynasty on our hands?
May 24, 2013, 7:00 PM EDT
Reuters
With a victory in the Champions League final to complete Bayern Munich’s domination domestically and abroad plus their offseason acquisitions, would they be a force for years to come?
-
With Corey Ashe now added, what the U.S. fullback depth chart looks like for this camp
May 24, 2013, 5:32 PM EDT
Getty Images
Ashe’s late addition to Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster for the U.S. camp forms a more complete picture of what the depth chart looks like at right and left back:
-
Getty Images
Internazionale officially announced they have sacked Andrea Stramaccioni and hired the former Napoli boss.
-
No question that two of the league’s most interesting teams will be at Stade Saputo on Saturday:
-
AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
-
Getty Images
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
-
USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
Getty Images
Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
-
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
-
Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
-
Does Hughes deserve another shot at managing an EPL club after past failures?
-
Getty Images
Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
-
German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
AP
See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
-
Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already done that.
-
Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
-
With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
-
Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
-
Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
-
Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?
-
Getty Images
Would Cole be a good pickup for Major League Soccer sides looking to cement their playoff aspirations?
