Seattle Sounders: Top 5 Reasons They Can Win It All
The Sounders are off to a slow start. True enough. But we are in year three of the franchise, and can anyone argue with the success of the previous two years? Despite an incredibly slow start last year, the Sounders still made the playoffs, admittedly exiting early.
The team brought home its second Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and this time in front of a home crowd. But we are hungry for more. The fans want the boys to bring home the big prize—the MLS championship. Here are five reasons why this year it'll be possible.
Number 5: Kasey Keller
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Say what you want about the advanced age and receding hairline, Kasey Keller is still one of the best keepers in the MLS and arguably the best player on the Sounders squad.
Outside of his play, Keller is a team leader. As a coach, he is a guy you want on the field. As a player, Kasey is the guy you want next to you.
His leadership alone makes him one of the most valuable guys on the pitch. Add in some fantastic stops each game, and you can't deny Keller is integral to the Sounders. Now, in his last year in professional sports, Keller really wants to bring the MLS Cup home to Seattle.
Number 4: Steve Zakuani
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The top selection in the 2009 Super Draft, Steve Zakuani has been the star that rarely gets recognized. Finishing 2010 as the team's co-leader with 10 goals and six assists, Zakuani was named Player of the Week twice.
Zakuani is quick on the outside, his shots run true to the net and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. While there may be bigger names floating in the game reports each week, the Sounders fans know that Steve Zakuani is critical to the team's success.
Number 3: Osvaldo Alonso
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Named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2010, Ozzie continues his midfield dominance in the first two games of 2011. Is there anyone in the MLS better at stopping a run better than Alonso?
His skills at ripping the ball from opponents' feet are only outdone by his blazing shots from outside the penalty box. Keepers must remain alert when Alonso has the ball on the attacking side, and everyone else needs to stay alert for the classic Alonso stuff and steal.
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Number 2: Fredy Montero
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In 2010, Montero led the club in nearly every offensive stat. Goals (10), assists (10), shots (91), shots on goal (34), fouls committed (44) and fouls suffered (60). The 23-year-old Columbian and new Designated Player looks to continue his streak as the Sounders scariest goal scorer. No keeper in his right mind isn't worried when Montero has the ball. Now entering his third year in MLS, Montero needs to continue to pick up his game for the Sounders to have a chance to bring home the Cup.
Number 1: the Fans
5 of 5Who else could be number one? With average attendance at Sounders games over 36,000, the ground swell of support for the team can't be higher. The Sounders' attendance records are obviously the envy of every team in the MLS, but let's look further.
The fan support would be the fourth largest in the Mexican league, the largest in Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Chile. And, the Sounders would have the ninth highest attendance in the EPL. Is there any question where Soccer City USA resides? Look north Portland.
With support like this, the MLS should look at the Seattle model to see where soccer can go in the U.S. Otherwise, watch as Seattle fans support their team right into the 2011 MLS Cup.
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