May 7 - Seattle vs. Vancouver [R]

[DJT]

Seattle Sounders (0-0-1) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (1-1-0)

Oops, I'm late on this one as well. Kickoff was at 7:00 PM PDT, with audio Webcasts by TEAM 1040 AM Vancouver and KKNW 1150 AM Seattle.

Around the 60th minute:

Seattle 0Vancouver 0

[DJT]

Final:

Seattle 0Vancouver 0

From what I heard (most of the second half), Vancouver had a few great chances (I think there was a breakaway for Jordan?), but Seattle GK Burpo made some great saves.

Just 1 penalty kick goal for Vancouver in 3 games. But the commentators and Steve Kindel (in a post-match interview) are stressing 0 goals against in those games and good play, particularly defensively. (I know someone from Montreal will point out "that's Lilley!")

[DJT]

More on what I was saying... I've listened to two of Vancouver's three matches (the stream didn't work for the first one; even this match from Seattle was phoned in), and, boy, the commentators, especially the analyst — I think it's Allan Errington (sp?; the guy with an English accent) — can't stop talking about how it's okay that Vancouver isn't scoring goals, that they'll come eventually, that a solid defence is key, that Chelsea was also boring at the beginning of the season, etc. This continued right through the post-match show, which didn't include calls from fans this time (because of their technical problems). I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with what Allan's saying, but what struck me is how much he said about it. The host, who doesn't really say much, wasn't even asking him about this, Allan just kept talking about it. I'm wondering why he's so defensive of Vancouver's defensive play when no one on the broadcast was questioning it. I have to think that either he's been reading the SouthSiders forum or he's hiding his own doubts.

[*]USL report

[*]Whitecaps report:

WHITECAPS REMAIN UNDEFEAT AS THEY PLAYED TO A 0-0 DRAW

MATCH REPORT:

Seattle Sounders 0

Whitecaps Men 0

Saturday, May 7, 2005

Qwest Field, Seattle , WA (attendance: 2,495)

Overview:

The Whitecaps stretched their season-opening undefeated streak to three games with a 0-0 tie in Seattle against the Sounders. Vancouver 's league-leading defence shut down the host Sounders, while the Caps had several great chances to win it; out shooting the Sounders 11-7.

Goalkeeper Mike Franks needed only two saves to pick up his third straight shutout, as Vancouver established a new team record for longest shutout streak to start a season, now at 270 minutes. The previous mark was 186 minutes set in 1992 by goalkeeper Paul Dolan.

With the tie, Vancouver 's record goes to 1W-0L-2T, for 5 points, good for fifth place in the USL First Division. Seattle are winless at 0-1-1, and sit in 11th place overall.

The Whitecaps now return to Vancouver to start a three-game home stand, starting with the Charleston Battery on Sunday May 15, in a 7:00pm start. Also that weekend is the home opener for the defending W-League Champion Whitecaps Women on Saturday May 14 against the Arizona Heatwave, kicking off at 7:00pm at Swangard Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

None

Game Notes:

Vancouver's best chance of the first half was a crisp header from Jason Jordan off a Geordie Lyall cross from the right, but Sounders keeper Preston Burpo was well positioned to make the save.

Dave Morris came into the match at 55' and proved quite the spark plug, as he was involved in the game's two best scoring chances. At 59' Jason Jordan made a great run down the right, took it to the line and centred for Morris six yards out. Morris got a toe on it, but not enough to squeeze the shot past goalkeeper Preston Burpo from point-blank range. Then at 67' Morris won the ball in his own half and threaded a perfect pass to Jordan breaking up the middle. The Vancouver striker used his speed to outpace defender Zach Scott and fired a good shot from 18 yards, but Burpo was able to parry it.

Seattle's best chance of the game, and only dangerous shot, was a 20-yard blast from Brazilian striker Welton off a loose ball at 72', which Mike Franks deflected away for a corner.

Vancouver 's Said Ali almost grabbed a late winner, as he did well to battle in front of goal to win the ball, only to flick it over the bar from eight yards out.

Steve Kindel upped his consecutive game streak to 39.

Seattle : 23.Preston Burpo - 8.Billy Sleeth (12.Gabe Sturm 69'), 26.Graham Taylor , 6.Ryan Edwards, 17.Zach Scott - 7.Brent Whitfield (21.Ben Somoza 74'), 15.Kevin Sakuda, 5.CJ Klass, 2.Scott Jenkins - 18.Roger Levesque, 19.Welton Melo

Whitecaps: 1.Mike Franks - 16.Kevin Harmse (22.Chris Franks 71'), 4. Nick Dasovic , 14.Liam de Silva, 12.Geordie Lyall - 8. Steve Kindel (17.Joey Gjertsen 75'), 3.Steve Klein, 2. Jeff Clarke , 7. Martin Nash (23.Jake Sagare 82') - 9. Alfredo Valente (20.Dave Morris 55'), 26.Jason Jordan (18.Said Ali 76')

Shots: Vancouver 11 Seattle 7

Saves: Vancouver 2 Seattle 4

Fouls: Vancouver 17 Seattle 16

Offside: Vancouver 2 Seattle 0

Corner Kicks: Vancouver 3 Seattle 3

Referee: Ben Chouaf

Cautions:

Seattle

Scott Jenkins 7'

CJ Klaas 52'

Vancouver

Chris Franks 84'

[*]Sounders report:

SOUNDERS AND WHITECAPS PLAY TO SCORELESS DRAW IN SECOND CASCADIA CUP MATCH

Posted 5/8/2005

SEATTLE – Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo recorded a shutout in his first start of the season, but the Sounders had to settle for a draw as they failed to get on the scoreboard themselves Saturday night in front of 2,495 fans at Qwest Field. Burpo kept the Sounders in the match with a couple of crucial saves, but the ‘keeper at the other end, Mike Franks, kept a clean sheet as well to keep Seattle winless so far for the 2005 season.

The match marked the second in the Cascadia Cup series for the Sounders, which awards a cup to the three traditional rivals in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle, Portland and Vancouver – for the best regular season record against each other.

An uneventful first half saw precious few goal scoring chances for both sides as the majority of play was clogged up in the midfield. Each team had a number of opportunities from free kicks, but neither squad was able to put a single shot on frame.

Vancouver tried several times to spring forwards Alfredo Valente and Jason Jordan with through balls and lobs over the top, but Burpo and his defense shut down any scoring threats against them.

On the other end, the Sounders had little success in creating anything in the midfield and were forced to fall back on sending long balls to targets Welton Melo, Roger Levesque and speedy midfielder Brent Whitfield. Unfortunately, this tactic didn’t produce any meaningful results as the Vancouver goalkeeper Franks had very little to do in the first half.

Seattle’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute following a foul on Whitfield on the right side of the Vancouver penalty area. C.J. Klaas sent a hard free kick across goal to the far post, where defender Taylor Graham did well to get above the crowd, his booming header was driven just wide from six yards out.

Vancouver came back with their best chance 10 minutes later when defender Geordie Lyall powered in a dangerous cross deep down the right side to an open Jordan 10 yards from the goalmouth, but his header was straight at Burpo.

In stark contrast to the first, the second half was a much more exciting affair as both sides opened things up in an effort to find the elusive first goal of the match.

The Sounders set the tone for the second half in the 53rd minute when Klaas took a square pass from Billy Sleeth 30 yards out, beat his defender and broke into the penalty area before centering in front of the goal, but the play was broken up and cleared out.

The Whitecaps returned the favor in the 59th. Jordan chased down a long ball, carried all the way to the end line under pressure and cut the ball back for a streaking Dave Morris who tried to poke the ball past Burpo but the Seattle ‘keeper got down well to smother the shot.

Jordan was the danger man again in the 67th when Morris found him with a searing long ball that split the Seattle defense. Jordan beat Zach Scott to the ball and charged in on goal before hitting a hard shot that Burpo knocked away with a superb reaction save to keep Vancouver off the scoreboard.

Seattle tested Burpo’s counterpart five minutes later. Kevin Sakuda led a break through the midfield. His through ball to Whitfield was broken up, but the ball popped out to a completely unmarked Welton, who had the time and space to run up and crack a one-time drive on goal that forced Franks into his best save of the game.

Seattle continued to apply the pressure and got their best chance to score just two minutes later. Welton received the ball down the left and went hard to goal. Klaas made a great run down the middle, and Welton found him with a low centering pass, but Klaas’ redirection attempt from five yards out was deflected out by a Vancouver defender.

The Whitecaps hit back in the 89th when substitute and Yakima native Jake Sagare took the ball down the left side and crossed to substitute forward Ali Said, who got behind Scott but side-footed his one-time attempt over Burpo’s goal.

The Sounders had one final chance to take the three points by winning a free kick 10 yards from the right side of the penalty area in the game’s dying seconds. Klaas drove in a nice ball, which Graham got to but headed well wide of Franks’ goal.

The Sounders’ next game is Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. as they host Major League Soccer expansion team Real Salt Lake in an exhibition match at Qwest Field. The match features Maple Valley, Wash., native and MLS number one draft pick Nik Besagno. For ticket information, call (206) 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 7, 2005

Weather: Sunny, warm, 60s.

Attendance: 2,495

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Gabe Sturm – 69), Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 74), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen, Brett Wiesner, Franklin Chacon.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer

VAN: Mike Franks, Geordie Lyall, Liam De Silva, Kevin Harmse (Chris Franks – 71), Nick Dasovic, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Martin Nash (Jake Sagare – 82), Steve Kindel (Joe Gjertsen – 74), Alfredo Valente (Dave Morris – 55), Jason Jordan ( Ali Said – 76).

Unused substitutes: Serge Djekanovic, Tino Cucca.

Head coach: Bob Lilley

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jenkins, 7 (caution)

SEA – Klaas, 52 (caution)

VAN – C. Franks, 84 (caution)

[DJT]

More on what I was saying... I've listened to two of Vancouver's three matches (the stream didn't work for the first one; even this match from Seattle was phoned in), and, boy, the commentators, especially the analyst — I think it's Allan Errington (sp?; the guy with an English accent) — can't stop talking about how it's okay that Vancouver isn't scoring goals, that they'll come eventually, that a solid defence is key, that Chelsea was also boring at the beginning of the season, etc. This continued right through the post-match show, which didn't include calls from fans this time (because of their technical problems). I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with what Allan's saying, but what struck me is how much he said about it. The host, who doesn't really say much, wasn't even asking him about this, Allan just kept talking about it. I'm wondering why he's so defensive of Vancouver's defensive play when no one on the broadcast was questioning it. I have to think that either he's been reading the SouthSiders forum or he's hiding his own doubts.

[*]USL report

[*]Whitecaps report:

WHITECAPS REMAIN UNDEFEAT AS THEY PLAYED TO A 0-0 DRAW

MATCH REPORT:

Seattle Sounders 0

Whitecaps Men 0

Saturday, May 7, 2005

Qwest Field, Seattle , WA (attendance: 2,495)

Overview:

The Whitecaps stretched their season-opening undefeated streak to three games with a 0-0 tie in Seattle against the Sounders. Vancouver 's league-leading defence shut down the host Sounders, while the Caps had several great chances to win it; out shooting the Sounders 11-7.

Goalkeeper Mike Franks needed only two saves to pick up his third straight shutout, as Vancouver established a new team record for longest shutout streak to start a season, now at 270 minutes. The previous mark was 186 minutes set in 1992 by goalkeeper Paul Dolan.

With the tie, Vancouver 's record goes to 1W-0L-2T, for 5 points, good for fifth place in the USL First Division. Seattle are winless at 0-1-1, and sit in 11th place overall.

The Whitecaps now return to Vancouver to start a three-game home stand, starting with the Charleston Battery on Sunday May 15, in a 7:00pm start. Also that weekend is the home opener for the defending W-League Champion Whitecaps Women on Saturday May 14 against the Arizona Heatwave, kicking off at 7:00pm at Swangard Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

None

Game Notes:

Vancouver's best chance of the first half was a crisp header from Jason Jordan off a Geordie Lyall cross from the right, but Sounders keeper Preston Burpo was well positioned to make the save.

Dave Morris came into the match at 55' and proved quite the spark plug, as he was involved in the game's two best scoring chances. At 59' Jason Jordan made a great run down the right, took it to the line and centred for Morris six yards out. Morris got a toe on it, but not enough to squeeze the shot past goalkeeper Preston Burpo from point-blank range. Then at 67' Morris won the ball in his own half and threaded a perfect pass to Jordan breaking up the middle. The Vancouver striker used his speed to outpace defender Zach Scott and fired a good shot from 18 yards, but Burpo was able to parry it.

Seattle's best chance of the game, and only dangerous shot, was a 20-yard blast from Brazilian striker Welton off a loose ball at 72', which Mike Franks deflected away for a corner.

Vancouver 's Said Ali almost grabbed a late winner, as he did well to battle in front of goal to win the ball, only to flick it over the bar from eight yards out.

Steve Kindel upped his consecutive game streak to 39.

Seattle : 23.Preston Burpo - 8.Billy Sleeth (12.Gabe Sturm 69'), 26.Graham Taylor , 6.Ryan Edwards, 17.Zach Scott - 7.Brent Whitfield (21.Ben Somoza 74'), 15.Kevin Sakuda, 5.CJ Klass, 2.Scott Jenkins - 18.Roger Levesque, 19.Welton Melo

Whitecaps: 1.Mike Franks - 16.Kevin Harmse (22.Chris Franks 71'), 4. Nick Dasovic , 14.Liam de Silva, 12.Geordie Lyall - 8. Steve Kindel (17.Joey Gjertsen 75'), 3.Steve Klein, 2. Jeff Clarke , 7. Martin Nash (23.Jake Sagare 82') - 9. Alfredo Valente (20.Dave Morris 55'), 26.Jason Jordan (18.Said Ali 76')

Shots: Vancouver 11 Seattle 7

Saves: Vancouver 2 Seattle 4

Fouls: Vancouver 17 Seattle 16

Offside: Vancouver 2 Seattle 0

Corner Kicks: Vancouver 3 Seattle 3

Referee: Ben Chouaf

Cautions:

Seattle

Scott Jenkins 7'

CJ Klaas 52'

Vancouver

Chris Franks 84'

[*]Sounders report:

SOUNDERS AND WHITECAPS PLAY TO SCORELESS DRAW IN SECOND CASCADIA CUP MATCH

Posted 5/8/2005

SEATTLE – Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo recorded a shutout in his first start of the season, but the Sounders had to settle for a draw as they failed to get on the scoreboard themselves Saturday night in front of 2,495 fans at Qwest Field. Burpo kept the Sounders in the match with a couple of crucial saves, but the ‘keeper at the other end, Mike Franks, kept a clean sheet as well to keep Seattle winless so far for the 2005 season.

The match marked the second in the Cascadia Cup series for the Sounders, which awards a cup to the three traditional rivals in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle, Portland and Vancouver – for the best regular season record against each other.

An uneventful first half saw precious few goal scoring chances for both sides as the majority of play was clogged up in the midfield. Each team had a number of opportunities from free kicks, but neither squad was able to put a single shot on frame.

Vancouver tried several times to spring forwards Alfredo Valente and Jason Jordan with through balls and lobs over the top, but Burpo and his defense shut down any scoring threats against them.

On the other end, the Sounders had little success in creating anything in the midfield and were forced to fall back on sending long balls to targets Welton Melo, Roger Levesque and speedy midfielder Brent Whitfield. Unfortunately, this tactic didn’t produce any meaningful results as the Vancouver goalkeeper Franks had very little to do in the first half.

Seattle’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute following a foul on Whitfield on the right side of the Vancouver penalty area. C.J. Klaas sent a hard free kick across goal to the far post, where defender Taylor Graham did well to get above the crowd, his booming header was driven just wide from six yards out.

Vancouver came back with their best chance 10 minutes later when defender Geordie Lyall powered in a dangerous cross deep down the right side to an open Jordan 10 yards from the goalmouth, but his header was straight at Burpo.

In stark contrast to the first, the second half was a much more exciting affair as both sides opened things up in an effort to find the elusive first goal of the match.

The Sounders set the tone for the second half in the 53rd minute when Klaas took a square pass from Billy Sleeth 30 yards out, beat his defender and broke into the penalty area before centering in front of the goal, but the play was broken up and cleared out.

The Whitecaps returned the favor in the 59th. Jordan chased down a long ball, carried all the way to the end line under pressure and cut the ball back for a streaking Dave Morris who tried to poke the ball past Burpo but the Seattle ‘keeper got down well to smother the shot.

Jordan was the danger man again in the 67th when Morris found him with a searing long ball that split the Seattle defense. Jordan beat Zach Scott to the ball and charged in on goal before hitting a hard shot that Burpo knocked away with a superb reaction save to keep Vancouver off the scoreboard.

Seattle tested Burpo’s counterpart five minutes later. Kevin Sakuda led a break through the midfield. His through ball to Whitfield was broken up, but the ball popped out to a completely unmarked Welton, who had the time and space to run up and crack a one-time drive on goal that forced Franks into his best save of the game.

Seattle continued to apply the pressure and got their best chance to score just two minutes later. Welton received the ball down the left and went hard to goal. Klaas made a great run down the middle, and Welton found him with a low centering pass, but Klaas’ redirection attempt from five yards out was deflected out by a Vancouver defender.

The Whitecaps hit back in the 89th when substitute and Yakima native Jake Sagare took the ball down the left side and crossed to substitute forward Ali Said, who got behind Scott but side-footed his one-time attempt over Burpo’s goal.

The Sounders had one final chance to take the three points by winning a free kick 10 yards from the right side of the penalty area in the game’s dying seconds. Klaas drove in a nice ball, which Graham got to but headed well wide of Franks’ goal.

The Sounders’ next game is Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. as they host Major League Soccer expansion team Real Salt Lake in an exhibition match at Qwest Field. The match features Maple Valley, Wash., native and MLS number one draft pick Nik Besagno. For ticket information, call (206) 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 7, 2005

Weather: Sunny, warm, 60s.

Attendance: 2,495

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Gabe Sturm – 69), Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 74), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen, Brett Wiesner, Franklin Chacon.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer

VAN: Mike Franks, Geordie Lyall, Liam De Silva, Kevin Harmse (Chris Franks – 71), Nick Dasovic, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Martin Nash (Jake Sagare – 82), Steve Kindel (Joe Gjertsen – 74), Alfredo Valente (Dave Morris – 55), Jason Jordan ( Ali Said – 76).

Unused substitutes: Serge Djekanovic, Tino Cucca.

Head coach: Bob Lilley

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jenkins, 7 (caution)

SEA – Klaas, 52 (caution)

VAN – C. Franks, 84 (caution)

[analyst]

The Caps lost their semi-final playoff game lost year by a 1-0 count. They couldn't score. Lenarduzzi didn't do anthing in the offseason to address the offence. His two main offseason additions are defensive players (Watson and Klein). But they lost two offensive players (Sulentic and Griffiths).

Not only are they not scoring, they also aren't creating many scoring chances. Fans will stop attending games, and attendance will drop. Most sports reporters say soccer is boring. The Caps are doing nothing to change their perception. Kerfoot is going to lose lots of money on this team when the attendance starts to drop and advertisers start to complain.

[stacks]

Where was Carlo?

[Calgary Boomer]

quote:Originally posted by DJT

More on what I was saying... I've listened to two of Vancouver's three matches (the stream didn't work for the first one; even this match from Seattle was phoned in), and, boy, the commentators, especially the analyst — I think it's Allan Errington (sp?; the guy with an English accent) — can't stop talking about how it's okay that Vancouver isn't scoring goals, that they'll come eventually, that a solid defence is key, that Chelsea was also boring at the beginning of the season, etc. This continued right through the post-match show, which didn't include calls from fans this time (because of their technical problems). I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with what Allan's saying, but what struck me is how much he said about it. The host, who doesn't really say much, wasn't even asking him about this, Allan just kept talking about it. I'm wondering why he's so defensive of Vancouver's defensive play when no one on the broadcast was questioning it. I have to think that either he's been reading the SouthSiders forum or he's hiding his own doubts.

You're basing your opinions on a radio broadcast? If you were there, you would have seen the Whitecaps had generated 4 GOLDEN opportunities that Jordan (2) Morris, and Ali all missed. Is that Bob Lilly's fault?

Let me ask you which team has a better chance of winning a title...the team that allows 4 GREAT chances in a game like the Sounders...or the team that has allowed 2 quality chances in 3 games?

Take your pick. Alan's absolutely right...and he was there. I'll take his word for it.

[analyst]

quote:Originally posted by Calgary Boomer

Let me ask you which team has a better chance of winning a title...the team that allows 4 GREAT chances in a game like the Sounders...or the team that has allowed 2 quality chances in 3 games?

Neither team will win. Seattle has been poor so far this season. Caps only win was against Rochester which was missing 3 top players who were not allowed in Canada. Fans will stop attending games and Kerfoot will be second guessing his investment.

[DJT]

quote:Originally posted by Calgary Boomer

You're basing your opinions on a radio broadcast? If you were there, you would have seen the Whitecaps had generated 4 GOLDEN opportunities that Jordan (2) Morris, and Ali all missed. Is that Bob Lilly's fault?

Let me ask you which team has a better chance of winning a title...the team that allows 4 GREAT chances in a game like the Sounders...or the team that has allowed 2 quality chances in 3 games?

Take your pick. Alan's absolutely right...and he was there. I'll take his word for it.

Umm, did you even read what I wrote? Nowhere did I judge the Whitecaps. I even said "I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with what Allan's saying". I was merely commenting on the actual broadcast, specifically the fact that Allan was very defensive about the way the Whitecaps play, which I found odd because there was no apparent reason for him to be that way, then I guessed at a couple of explanations. I didn't even give my opinion about Lilley.

But now that you brought this up, the fact that Allan was there doesn't convince me that he is right. I also read comments on the SouthSiders forum, made by people who have seen the games as well, and most of them do not agree with Allan.

From what I know of Lilley when he was with Montreal, I know that he is a defensive-minded coach. Whether this is a good strategy for the Whitecaps, I don't know, and have never posted any comments on that.

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by analyst

Neither team will win. Seattle has been poor so far this season. Caps only win was against Rochester which was missing 3 top players who were not allowed in Canada. Fans will stop attending games and Kerfoot will be second guessing his investment.

What's with the Kerfoot comment? Because of 3 games he's gonna pull out? I'm sure he was informed on the Lilley hiring. Montreal just won a championship with him at the helm. Do you not think that Kerfoot is trying to do the same?

I'm sure the Canucks would take a Stanley Cup even if it meant New Jersey Devil style hockey. Then again I'm sure the Canucks will settle for just hockey at this point.

[Daniel]

Um, Montreal did NOT win the championship with Lilley, that's the whole point. His stifling tactics meant the Impact only scored ONE goal in 6 playoff games, against Charlotte of all teams. He was replaced last year with Desantis who is more offensive-minded.

Lilley laid the defensive bases at the club but his brand of soccer is exactly what Vancouver is seeing. I never want to win a division that way again.

[analyst]

quote:Originally posted by Danny Boy

What's with the Kerfoot comment? Montreal just won a championship with him at the helm.

In reply, as others have stated, Montreal did not win with Lilley at the helm. Second, fans will stop attending games if the Caps don't become entertaining, and Kerfoot will be unhappy because of the drop in revenue.

[Danny Boy]

ok so Montreal didn't set attendance records last year? Hmmm.....

I could see your point if they played ugly soccer and were last place. But they won, and packed the building in the meantime.

Winners suck!

[analyst]

quote:Originally posted by Danny Boy

ok so Montreal didn't set attendance records last year? Hmmm.....

I could see your point if they played ugly soccer and were last place. But they won, and packed the building in the meantime.

Winners suck!

Yes, the Impact did well at the gate and on the field last year. Thats because they played attractive soccer, and had better players.

Also, Lilley did not coach the Impact last year.

[Daniel]

The lack of soccer knowledge of the general populace and the fact that the ticket-sales are top notch and the team was a winner made people come come in 2002-2003. However, 2003 was an UGLY year and, as in Vancouver, a lot of people (including the media) were harping on about the defensive record (because there was nothing else to talk about). Among regular fans, though, Lilley was awful. Imagine playing to a 0-0 draw at home against Pittsburgh with NOT ONE CHANCE and then losing in overtime. We were supposed to be a dominant team, we were a stifling team who'd lose big games.

[Danny Boy]

Again, if Vancouver can't win games then for sure I'd be concerned about my investment. I think that Vancouver has come to the party too many times without getting the opportunity to dance. They've always played IMO an attractive game but it hasn't translated into championships. My feeling is that they hired him strictly for the chance to get over the hump because Fonseca couldn't. If its ugly so be it. People generally like winners anyways. Who knows, 10 games later I might be singing a different tune. 3 games are a little too soon for this.