Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids preview. Remember what happened last time these two teams met?

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders, following their Open Cup victory, get back to business in MLS play. The Colorado Rapids come to town, but Brian Mullan has been left out of this match. Remember the last time these two met? Back on April 22, Brian Mullan was dispossessed of the ball and he argued that he was held and that there should've been a foul. Steve Zakuani had possession of the ball when Mullan came over and intentionally broke Zakuani's tibia and fibula on his right leg and the entire Sounder nation was in major distress, all thanks to that stupid mother fucker, Brian Mullan. The Sounders won that match 1-0, but in a bad way. They lost one of their best players and dispite having the one man advantage, were out played by the Rapids. Kickoff time is at 1pm on FOX Soccer Channel.


Injury report:

Colorado Rapids - Macoumba Kanji is still suffering from that left knee ACL tear he picked up in last years MLS Cup final victory. He still has not played in 2011 and I don't think he's gonna debut in this one. Right now he's questionable. Danny Earls is also questionable with a quadriceps contusion. Matt Pickens, Joseph Nane and Anthony Wallace are dealing with strains right now and all of them are listed as probable.

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Sounders, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado is out for this match. He picked up an MCL sprain back on sunday in Seattle's 3-2 win over the Timbers. Steve Zakuani's leg is healed an right now he's taking some slow jogs. I'm hoping he does make it back as we lean toward the playoffs. And Brad Evans...... oh my god, I can't really explain this. A hamstring strain. He's listed as probable, but he ain't playing this weekend.


Key matchup:

Conor Casey vs Jeff Parke - For almost the entire season, Jeff Parke has been carrying the load for the Sounders this season, and that's gonna continue with Conor Casey up front. Casey has faced the Sounders 3 times since their arrival to Major League Soccer and has scored twice against us. Whoever wins this matchup should win this game.

Sounders win 1-0 but lose Steve Zakuani

By Money Mike

Coming off a 1-1 draw on the road at Philadelphia, the Seattle Sounders extended their unbeaten streak to 5 matches after defeating the defending MLS Cup Champion Colorado Rapids 1-0 on a 19th minute goal by Fredy Montero but also suffered a major blow after Steve Zakuani was carted off very early in the game.

In the 3rd minute, Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan thought he was fouled but the referee didn't give it, and with Steve Zakuani on the ball, Mullan came in with a two footed tackle on Zakuani and the referee immediately reached into his back pocket and gave Mullan a straight Red Card. Zakuani was carted off the pitch and taken to the hospital to undergo X-Rays which was reported to be a broken leg.

Down a man for the rest of the match, the Rapids tried to accommodate themselves on the pitch, but they struggled to do so and the Sounders took advantage of it.

In the 19th minute, the Sounders countered through O'Brian White, who laid the ball off to Mauro Rosales and instead of going for goal on his own, he found Fredy Montero at the edge of the 18-yard box. The Colombian then slipped the ball through the hands of goalkeeper Matt Pickens for his first goal of the season and his first since August 28th of last year.

Despite being a man down Colorado had more time on the ball than Seattle, but couldn't take advantage of it.

In the dying seconds of regular time, Wells Thompson who came on as a second half substitute, came close to equalizing but his left footed volley was blocked by the Seattle defense. Shortly after, former Hull City striker Caleb Folan had an opening about two minutes into stoppage time, but his shot was again blocked. And that was just about the last chance of the game for the Rapids.

With the win, Seattle now improves to 2-2-3 and look to keep their unbeaten run going at home next saturday against Toronto FC.

Scoring summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero (Mauro Rosales, O'Brian White) 19'

Misconduct summary:

Colorado Rapids - Brian Mullan (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 3'

Colorado Rapids - Caleb Folan (caution; Reckless foul) 75'

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero (caution; Reckless foul) 81'

Lineups:

Seattle Sounders FC - Kasey Keller; James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl; Mauro Rosales (Erik Friberg 74'), Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans; Fredy Montero, Steve Zakuani (Alvaro Fernandez 9')(Leonardo Gonzalez 82'), O'Brian White

Colorado Rapids - Matt Pickens; Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall (Anthony Wallace 66'), Drew Moor; Jamie Smith (Sanna Nyassi 72'), Jeff Larentowitz, Pablo Mastroeni (Wells Thompson 68'), Brian Mullan; Omar Cummings, Caleb Folan

Brian Mullan:

This is what Brian Mullan said after the match. "It's a tackle that I've done hundreds of times and would probably do again."

I mean, damnit, are you fucken serious? Everybody keeps saying he isn't a dirty player. He commits so many fouls, and saying something like that after the match where you broke somebodys leg and got a red card is just disrespectful. Brian Mullan, do us all a favor and keep your bitchass out of soccer. Even the Colorado fans hate you.