The Sound of a Home Opener

As far as Major League Soccer clubs go not named Real Salt Lake, The Report tends to turn a cold shoulder in their general direction. If there is one team, however, that we approve of, it is the Seattle Sounders. Maybe it's because how awesome Seattle is in general, or maybe it's how great of a fan base they have. Or maybe it's just the fact that they converted Qwest Field into a giant version of Rio Tinto during the MLS Cup final and rooted for RSL (or was it rooted against The Galaxy?). Regardless of the reason, The Report give Seattle mad props, and roots for them in (almost) every match they play. Okay, on with the preview.

Real Salt Lake (1-0-1) seems to have had ample time to shake off their frustrating match in Houston last Thursday, and looks to open up Rio Tinto the right way in 2010 on Saturday against another playoff-bound foe, Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-1). Like RSL, Seattle is also coming off of a frustrating loss, theirs against the (suddenly relevant?) Red Bulls.

I don't want to oversell it and be to dramatic here, but this is truly a vital game for the Salt Lake side. With two games under their belt, we've seen who this team is and who this team can be, as far as road contests go. But Real Salt Lake, historically, has been an incredible home team. And if they want to have a shot to make the playoffs this season, they have to step up and get 3 points in Sandy almost every time out, no exceptions. Seattle does not sit back and play for draws on the road and Saturday will be no different.

The Game:

The scene will be electrifying at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday as the 2009 Champions receive their bling and the championship banner is hung. The crowd will definitely be more than into it by the time the opening whistle sounds. Seattle will be looking to silence them with a quick goal. If Real Salt Lake is able to weather an early barrage, and maybe even get a quick strike of their own, there will probably be a victory celebration for the home side after 90.

The Key Players:

There are two guys two watch out on the pitch Saturday that will decide the outcome of this match. Steve Zakuani and Robbie Russell. In Seattle's match against the Philadelphia Union, their number one weapon was an end-line cross from Zakuani across the goal mouth. The way it works is Freddie Ljungberg or Fredy Montero collect the ball just outside the penalty area on the left wing and hold for a Zakuani run. Zakuani then shifts into fifth gear and blazes passed his defender as Ljunberg or Montero lays it off to him. Zakuani then drills it across the goal mouth and hopes a Seattle (or opposing) player deflects it into the net. It worked brilliantly throughout the Union match and, although only one of their two goals in that match were scored this way, Seattle could have easily had two or three more from this exact play. Russell needs to be wary of this run and do everything he can not to get sucked in too far trying to help Olave with either of Seattle's forwards.

The Result:

Real Salt Lake needs this match a lot more than Seattle does. Home wins are critical in any sport and, with the West Conference being as strong as it looks to be, RSL needs every home point they can get. Like was mentioned, Seattle is going to go for it early and try to be total buzz kills. But The Report just doesn't see Seattle ruining this party. Final score: RSL 3-0 Seattle.


Seattle Sounders F.C. (1-1-0) vs Real Salt Lake (1-1-0)
Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy, Utah

7:00 P.M. - Forget about TV just come to the game.