IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

So, the more time I have to reflect upon it… The more COOLER! It seems to me that I was privileged to be invited by ‘MAN-U Diehard Randal to this year’s US Open Cup at Qwest, Err, Century Link Field, which I’m trying to get into duh habit of calling ‘DER CLINK! (Which may or may not be appreciated?)

As I revel in my good fortune – I have quickly realized that I’ve never-ever-ever been so lucky to attend a Finals of anything professional sports-wise, as I certainly AIN’T gonna be trying to obtain Superbowl tickets, etc. And thus I was just absolutely tickled GREEN to be standing for 90+ minutes inside ‘DER CLINK! In an absolute sea of crazed, frenetic, raucous Sounders FC Fans! Although I suppose I should have been tickled Electric Yellow instead… As green is the Sounders FC home Colour, whilst the departing yellow jerseys have been used for “Friendly” matches, i.e.; vs. Manchester United, etc, International play and US Open Cup matches – get IT?

And Oh by the way, the Sounders FC Ownership group – comprised of: General Manager Adrian Hanauer, Joe Roth, Paul Allen and Drew “The Price Is Right” Carrey ALL Thank You very much for setting the new All-time US Open Cup attendance record of 35,615 – which smashed last year’s mark of 31,000+, which was also set at Seattle.

And it was what unfortunately will (or HAS!) soon become a daily occurrence (grind) in the Pacific Northwest – of drab, dreary, damp and Oh So DARK (by 3:33PM Dazes…) evening in Seattle – as our much enjoyed “Indian” summer has definitely left the building – as I don’t think the Groundskeepers had to dampen the field that night, while we managed to stay dry from the drizzle; but I digress…

The Sounders FC entered the Lamar Hunt (US Open Cup) Trophy hunt in Qwest; Oh Never Mind! Of making History by becoming only the second team ever to win three consecutive Cups; the first-time this ever occurred was from 1967-69 by the New York Greek-Americans’ – a soccer club I’d never heard of prior to this evening’s chance at tying a 42-year old record…

And although I didn’t see it, there was an enormous green banner hung up just outside of Century Link Field depicting three gravesites – with one housing a coffin for DC United and Columbus Crew, with a third spot awaiting the Chicago Fire… See, I told you these crazed Soccer Fans were frenetic!

As we spent the whole evening chanting many things, including multiple choruses of: Seattle… Sounders… SEATTLE! SOUNDERS! SEAA AATTLE!!! SOUNDDDD-DERS!!! With countless volleys being belted out by each side of the sold out stadium – each yelling one half of this chant whilst the game was in progress… Although the crowd didn’t break out my favourite chant which is: “The Ref’s A Wanker!” Albeit several fans around us shouted comments towards the referee regarding needing eyeglasses to correct some reputedly unseen calls upon the pitch!

And even better yet, my Good Man Randal brought a pocket-sized portable radio for me to listen to the game via the soothing tome of Arlo Guthrie; NOT! Err, Bloody Arlo White; the most eloquent announcer ‘Chap and voice of the Sounders FC. As it was pretty funny that I needed to hold the radio to my ear the entire first-half as we couldn’t make the earplugs work – with Randal saying that must be a really LONG cell phone call you’re on; Hya! Before Randal solved the earplug issue during Halftime…

Thus, it became quite enjoyable to listen to the crowd go absolutely ‘Bonkers over an almost made Goal which would totally drown out the radio’s volume and then as the crowd noise subsided I’d get to hear what had just happened via the 7-second delay…

And thanks to said radio, I learned something unusual about US Open Cup play – as Messer White noted how my favourite player Leonardo Gonzalez, No. 19 for the Sounders FC had been precluded from last year’s Open Cup Final because each Squad is only allowed a maximum of five Foreign players on the pitch… While it seemed that the Chicago Fire were trying to pick on my man ‘Leo during the beginning of the game as his name was called out several times. Yet Gonzalez had allegedly been inserted due to his more physical nature and helped keep Chicago on the wrong end of the pitch all night long.

And you’d have thought that the air had been virtually sucked out of the stadium in the final minute of the first half when Sounders FC Forward Fredy Montero’s volley riccocheted off of the Goal-post! With the score remaining knotted at Nil-Nil (0-0) as the teams retreated to their respective locker rooms…

And the game continued on with Arlo White interjecting some Colloquial ‘Witisism’s – noting in the First-half that Midfielder Brad Evans have gotten a clean shave for the game… Along with the Fire’s Sideline doing some Advertising – apparently trying to sell the Ref into calling a Non-foul.

As the minutes ticked-off, we were still scoreless 75-minutes into the match before the floodgate finally broke open on the 78th minute when Fredy Montero punched in a blocked header by Fire’s Keeper Sean Johnson from Jeff Parke off of a Sounders corner kick to put the “Rave Green” ahead 1-0 as the Stadium absolutely erupted in joy!

Osvaldo Alonso capped off the match with a second goal in the final minute of stoppage time in the second half before the crowd went absolutely berserk as the final whistle was blown.

And the Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid’s best quote in the Post-game interview was how the entire stadium stayed for the Open Cup Trophy presentation – apart from a very small corner filled with Chicago Fans who Exited Stage Left immediately!

And what was even more impressive to Mwah was how the crowd absolutely drowned out Seattle’s Goalkeeper Kasey Keller during the trophy ceremonies with cheers of jubilation!

And the euphoria spilled over the stadium as the Sounders Soundwave band was gaily working overtime in celebration, while a delirious crowd jammed into an absolutely packed elevator before spilling onto the adjacent streets in reverie. And whilst making our way back to our car – when waiting to cross the street several more impromptu Seattle — Sounders chants erupted over the victorious evening’s performance…

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IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

Riding on the crest of Rave Green Sounders FC euphoria… I eagerly awaited the start of the Major League Soccer Playoffs – ultimately leading towards the Championship match for the 2011 MLS Cup at Los Angeles this year…

Wildcard Round
The New York Red Bulls traveled to Texas to play against (No. 7) FC Dallas, where New York was victorious 2-0 – advancing to play the league’s Number One seed; the star studded Los Angeles Galaxy, who’ll fly to the East Coast for Game-1 on October 30th.

The second Wildcard match featured the (No. 9) Columbus Crew traveling to Colorado, where the reigning MLS Cup Champions Colorado Rapids defeated Columbus 1-0, and then moved onto Kansas City to face Sporting Kansas City also on Sunday…

Playoff Format
Whilst I must admit I’m not overly knowledgeable upon Major League Soccer’s Playoff format, I find it a tad bit strange that the higher seeded teams are forced to start Round-1 of the Semi-finals by playing on the .road. And then travel home for the second game of the aggregate two-match round one format before beginning single game eliminations until the Championship match concludes.

Thus looking up the Playoff format, the Top-3 finishers of each Conference, i.e.; Eastern and Western are automatically given berths to the Quarter (Semi) Finals, whilst the next four highest finishing teams are awarded single game Wild Card elimination matches before advancing to the next round.

NOTE
Muddying the Playoff format for Mwah – is the fact that the winners of the Supporters Shield, awarded to the MLS Team with the best Overall record – is automatically awarded the berth against the lowest seeded Wild Card winner. And the higher seeded Wild Card winner is automatically entered against the Conference Champion who didn’t win the Supporters Shield.

Conference Semi-Finals – Match 1
Starting off the Semi-finals action on Saturday night were my Home team, aptly known as the ‘Rave Green, aka Seattle Sounders FC, who were the No. 2-seed (Western Conference Runner-Up) traveling to Sandy, Utah to faceoff against Western Conference No. 3 seeded Real Salt Lake.

And I must say it was a crushing Game-1 loss for the visiting sounders FC, which began shakily with veteran Goalkeeper Kasey Keller having to hold off a pressing Salt Lake with three masterful saves, before Salt Lake scored a most controversial score by Alvaro Sabor?o in the 41st minute on what Sounders FC announcer Arlo White emphatically decreed: “Surely WAS Offside!” Profusely noting it was an Offside Goal by RSL. As the Sounders would be unable to shake this demoralizing score and have a further two goals scored against them in a crushing 3-0 road defeat…

Sunday – October 30:
While I’m guessing the majority of Yuhs Sports fans were busy watching some Pigskin’s tossed around in the NFL, nevertheless, the Top-seeded (No. 1) Western Conference Los Angeles Galaxy flew to Harrison, NJ to take on the East Coast Juggernaught known as the New York Red Bulls – in a match-up featuring Thierry Henry for New York against the likes of David Beckham and Landon Donovan for LA. As the pesky No. 10-seeded (Wildcard) Red Bulls proved unable to stop the Galaxy as their Defense was caught flat-footed crying for an Offside call while Messer Beckham floated a ball to Midfielder/Forward Mike Magee who blasted it into the back of the net for the game’s only score with Los Angeles winning One-Nil (1-0) on the road.

Also on Sunday, the “late” game – saw the No. 1- seed (Eastern Conference Champions) Sporting Kansas City flying to Colorado for Game-1 vs. the (No. 8 Wildcard) Colorado Rapid, with Kansas City being victorious 2-0 in Game-1.

The No. 2-seed (Eastern Conference Runner-Up) Houston Dynamo traveled to Chester, PA to take-on the Eastern Conference No. 3-seeded Philadelphia Union, where Houston won 2-1 over the Union. But at least it was Sebastian Le Toux who scored Philly’s lone goal – while I’m assuming that Brian Ching still plays for the Dynamo who knocked out Seattle in last year’s Playoffs…

Conference Semi-Finals – Match 2
Game-2 between KC and Colorado will be held at Kansas City on November 2nd, with KC leading Two ‘Nil. (2-0) in goals scored…

Meanwhile the sounders FC will be trying to dig their selves out of a massive hole at ‘DER CLINK, Err Century Link Field, when Real Salt Lake comes to town after pasting Seattle 3-0 at home and hence, lead the series on Goals; as the Sounders have yet to score a single goal in MLS Playoff contention and must defeat Salt Lake by a score of 4-0 to advance…

Thursday, November 3:
The second match between New York and Los Angeles will be played at Carson City, CA where New York finds itself behind 1-0 on points.

‘LeToo and The Raiders, Err ‘Philly’s (Philadelphia Union) Sebastian Le Toux, an ex-Sounders FC player – along with his teammates will fly to Houston, Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo who currently lead the Union by a scant point…

As I was sorry to see Seattle let Le Toux be snapped up in the 2010 Major League Soccer expansion Superdraft, but am happy to read that the French-American Forward became Philadelphia’s very first MLS All Star! As I may have to root for Philly instead as it appears Seattle won’t make the cut once again; CRIKEYS!

As you’d have to say that the Galaxy surely are the Odds-on favourites to win the MLS Cup this year? Although I’d be happy with either Philadelphia or Houston beating LA! Whilst I know absolutely nothing about Sporting Kansas City or the Colorado Rapids, while obviously Salt Lake is the enemy…

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More important than the positions of your defense has the basics as well as the ability to run the bases properly. If you are unable to slide in the win, it would be difficult to win in any other way. When you think about the fundamentals of building works and how to coach some methods that you can remember some of the key ideas.

The first thing you want to teach those that run on databases is that they should stay alert while they work. Better be safe than sorry when they’re going from one position to another. This first, would mean that must be trained on how to keep an eye on where the ball is. There will also be required to signal that appears for the runners database on other players. This will help keep safe all players when they move from base to base.

When you’re coaching bases, you will not only want to teach players how to move from base to base and how to communicate with other players about the position, but you also want to practice moving forward faster. One of the things to teach is to steal bases. The best way to do this is to show players how to comply with the best time for this. If no one pays attention to your position on the field, and you know that the ball is far enough, you can easily switch to the second or third base without getting caught.

For those players who risk being run will also want to coach abilities to slide. Make sure your players do not try to dive into the base, particularly head first. Instead, you want to show them how their feet on the right are picking up the pace and leaning in slide using its powers of the leg. Over time they will be able to make a smooth transition into the slide.

If you are coaching a running of baseball, you want to make sure that everyone is clear about the movement from base to base. The primary key to have a good base runners make sure that all players are aggressive in the transition to the next base and know when to look for opportunities to get the next destination. By doing this, you will be able to proceed to the House.