Two and Two: 1st Leg Sounders – Real Salt Lake (Playoffs Edition)
Tonight the 1st leg of the 2011 MLS Playoff Conference Semi-Final was played between 2 of the top 3 teams in MLS this year. It was sure to be be a complete knock out of a match, but the final result indicated something much different, and even watching the game seemed to be completely different then expected.
SOUNDERS
- Seemed to forget that this is playoffs? Not sure if Seattle realized that this was a playoff game and that they are suppose to be one of the best teams in MLS this year with a possibly US Open Cup, Champions League and MLS Cup. Seems to be unheard of, but if Seattle doesn't get their act together then they can kiss the MLS Cup bye-bye
- It is Seattle though. If any team could possibly come back from losing a match 3-0 it would be Seattle Sounders. Even if they were not playing a home game in the next match up. The Sounders are an odd team that nobody can ever seem to really figure out. They showed flashes of still possibly being able to come back even before the third goal they allowed. The next game will be in Seattle and it will definitely be a game to watch. Sounders could just as easily win 3-0 and send the game into extra time.
REAL
- They brought it. Apparently Real has been playing down a little bit and came out with something to prove and nailed it. This game alone could of easily been the nail in the coffin for Seattle this year as Real looked amazing and Seattle just couldn't seem to really get it together for even a long enough time to possibly get a goal. Seattle at one point even seemed to be imploding which is odd because of how well they have played all season. Maybe Real Salt Lake is just that good this year though. They have definitely had some really good games and refuse to be counted out.
- Can't rest on this 3-0 lead. Yes they won their home game 3-0, but now they have to go to Seattle to play and that can be very tricky. Seattle could easily win 3-0 or 4-1 and then force the game into extra time, because in this series the winner is based off of total goals. So even if Real can lose 3-2 ,2-1 or even 3-1 and then they will advance to the next round and complete an epic knock out of Seattle. The key thing is to not let Seattle put them back on their heels other wise Real's 3-0 will not mean a single thing. Real needs to keep playing the exact way that they played in the first game, well maybe they could afford to play a little more defense in case Seattle decides to go in full attack mode.
McBeth