It's hard to be objective when describing Minnesota season so far; slumping would be an understatement, and while their hopes were high to enter the season, one has to be flying before one can crash. To say Minnesota can't afford to lose another game would probably be adequate if this were the end of the season; in the middle, and well...
It's one of those years.
Yeah, I think that pretty much describes it. Minnesota has a winning record over almost every team they play this season, including a 6-1 record against the visiting Seattle Sounders, but this season, even with the same core of players who took them to three consecutive championship games, things just haven't worked out.
So, Seattle, like every game left on the schedule, was a must-win for the Thunder. Seattle, on the other hand, will be smack-dab in the middle of the Western Conference race, regardless of the outcome. Following a 5-2 pasting at the hands of Milwaukee the previous day, the Sounders were looking for a positive during their road-trip, and Minnesota was the last stop.
--- First Half ---
This was a very even half; Seattle, despite playing back-to-back games, seemed to have more energy in the midfield, but was content to allow Minnesota's forwards to press forward. The midfield play prevailed, however, and Seattle had a greater share of possession, even if that share was negligible
Minnesota avoided their ninth 1-0 defeat this season by scoring first in the 17th minute. An outswinging corner kick by Morgan Zeba was headed Steve Armas to the top of the penalty arc, where midfielder Paul Nowak fired a shot that ricocheted to rookie forward Corey Woolfolk near the penalty mark to the lower-right side of the net.
Seattle answered quickly in the 20th minute on a Scott Bower cross from the right side, past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper John Swallen, to Jeremy Sweet, who headed the ball to the center of the net.
Both Preston Burpo and John Swallen made spectacular saves; Burpo ended a Woolfolk break away, after he out-ran his defenders; Swallen making a reflex dive following a one-touch shot at the top of the goal area.
--- Second Half ---
Minnesota's carried the half in possession and in goal scoring chances, but like many recent games, couldn't convert their chances. Seattle did in the 82nd minute, from a low ball by Leighton O'Brien in the right corner, that slid past several players, only to be poked in by a sliding Peter Hattrup in front of the goal area.
While not during one a defensive lapse, the Sounders had a golden opportunity to increase the margin with two successive shots that rung the crossbar. Minnesota pressed forward, and Burpo came up with more great saves, including a second break-away from Woolfolk. Minnesota had another chance when Amos Magee, slotted a pass to inside-right of the penalty area, was unable to hit the side netting after Burpo committed before he shot.
--- Observations ---
Buzz Lagos is still trying to find an offensive chemistry - while shots didn't get put away, the Thunder had plenty of opportunities with Woolfolk and Magee up front, and Paul Nowak as the offensive midfielder.
