SEA Vs. MTL : The Maple Leaf Monkey Is Off Our Backs

It took 4666 KM (that's 2919 miles) and an extra day of waiting but The Maple Leaf Monkey is finally off of Seattle's back. 

How long does it take 3 points to clear customs?

It was a match that once again showcased Montréal's defensive woes as Seattle had an early lead in the first 8 minutes of the game when Lamar Neagle was left completely unmarked in the box, heading the ball off the crossbar, hitting Perkins and going into the net. Although originally marked on the score sheet as an Own Goal, Neagle has since been credited with the goal.

"Every game you want to score and get some points, especially for an attacker." said Neagle, "To do it against your old team and your old friends, it's always good for talking up later. It was a nice way to start off, especially when you're away."

Montréal seemed to have the motivation they needed and began to increase the pressure. Trying to stretch the Seattle defense by working the ball wide and pumping several crosses in to the box while relying heavily on their wingers Hernan Bernandello and Patrice Bernier as the game progressed. Montréal received their best opportunity of the match as Eric Miller nodded Bernardello’s 57th minute corner kick into the path of Camara, whose header just went wide of the post. The fire seemed to be in the Impact side, burning brightly as they continued their onslaught. 

A minute later, Obafemi Martins struck.

Who's that man who scored in green? Obafemi Martins!

Photo courtesy of SoundersFC.com

That would go on to be the difference maker as the Sounders handed Montréal their 3rd straight defeat of the 2014 season, a stark difference from Les Bleus 4-0-0 start last year.

"We got 33 open crosses in the box, so we definitely got in the right spots," Impact Coach Frank Klopas said, "but we pushed the game and created chances and got into the right places, we just couldn't finish."

For the Sounders it marks the first road opener win since 2009, as well as the first time Seattle has beaten Montréal in both sides' MLS eras.

"I thought it was good. We wanted to sit back a little bit, so I knew we were going to absorb some pressure." Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid stated post match, "We were trying to get forward on the counter and I figured we could create some chances like that. I thought Oba played really well holding the ball up for us and allowing the team to connect in. Kenny and Lamar did a good job at that also. They play a really high line at the back, so that was something we wanted to exploit."

 So, what can we take from this? In a match that could have gone the other way in the absences of Clint Dempsey (suspension) and Brad Evans (injury), the team rallied under a youthful squad captained by Djimi Traore (who would have one of his most memorable matches in the Rave Green). A very defensive midfield seemed to have holes at points as the Impact found it easy to get through, however, as they would sneak through there was always another Sounder there to greet them. While Montréal held the edge in possession (55%), this is largely due to defensive substitutions in the second half as Azira, Gonzalez and Weaver were all brought in to the match. Seattle used an effective counter-attack through out and used set pieces to confound the Impact at times.

Sounders' Yedlin takes a challenge from Impact's Bernandello
Photo courtesy MontrealImpact.com

Scoring his second clean sheet in 2014, Stefen Frei was on his head in this one. Making 5 saves in the match and facing down 25 shots from a determined Impact offense have effectively shaken off whatever rust may have remained on the 'keeper. Djimi Traore also shone brightly in what may become his most memorable moments since the 40-yard bomb last season as he unleashed a beautiful bicycle-kick (that was unfortunately stopped by Perkins) as well as a late goal line stop when Frei found himself under pressure in the box.

Leo Gonzalez made his return to the pitch after undergoing off season surgery. He looked strong in reduced minutes as Sigi is looking to bring him back up to starting form for future matches.Question is... Where does he now fit in? In spite of how well he has started the season, will Dylan Remick now take a backseat to Gonzalez or will he slot in as an interchangeable piece with Chad Marshall or Djimi Traore? Time will tell where this one goes.

After needing to wait until May 4th (seven games in to the season) to get to six points in 2013, this year's offering has been made the mark in half the time. With a 2-1-0 record to kickoff the 2014 campaign, the Sounders are now sitting in second place in the West. Not a bad start at all.