And MLS's debut in the Club World Cup ends with a resounding whomp-whomp. Bad match management by Schmetzer. Even if there's a quality dropoff to the bench, you can't be holding on to subs for that long. Rusnak should have been off a half hour before he was. Creditable showing overall - I expected Al-Ahly to win, but disappointing to lose like that.
Unfortunate from Leyva. The other thing to think about, game was 0-0 with neither team looking likely to score, game was heading towards extra time and I think Sounders needed to push everyone as long as they can go before subbing.
I did not see more quality in Al-Ahly than we see in MLS. I think a top-form MLS team in mid-season would perform differently against that side.
Shots on target at the end: 1-1. Al Ahly's one shot on target happened to be deflected in. Awful game all around. Leyva's error led to the goal, but the overall deciding factor was clearly fitness. Seattle mostly ran out of gas after the 65th minute or so.
By the way, I think this is Al-Ahly's second encounter with MLS opposition. It's hard to find match reports from back then, but I'm pretty sure DC United played a friendly against Al-Ahly in the late 90s and also lost 1-0.
Does he make the same error if he comes on 25 minutes earlier with fresher teammates under less time pressure?
Also, Leyva's turnover was close to midfield. Al-Ahly still had to beat several more defenders, so fitness was a factor in the goal and earlier substitutions could have mitigated it.
I'm pleased with the showing. A team that hasn't played a competitive match in over 3 months played even with the historically best team in Africa. The only goal was off a deflection by a team that was very obviously tired from the 70th minute on. Seattle didn't embarrass itself at all, given the circumstances. That was my goal for the game.
It was better than what I was expecting from Sounders, with all the circumstances, proud of you as Galaxy and MLS fan.
Why people make stupid statements, I care, this should be more important than a domestic title. Silver star = MLS CUP, Liga mx title etc Gold star = Champions league, Concacaf champions league, copa libertadores etc. Diamond star = Club World Cup, World Cup
Of course I wasn’t being literal. Some people care. In general soccer terms, this competition doesn’t generate the hype or carry the same prestige factor of other competitions. And in MLS circles I’ve seen much more noise and discussion about the Apple deal than Seattle’s historic participation here.
The stadium was full, but saying no one cares. I bought the Apple’s season pass, if I am the only one I will be happy.