A terrible match at CenturyLink Field leads to a terrible result for the Seattle Sounders, who fielded a very weak starting lineup and paid the consequences, losing their 100% racord and putting their place as leaders of Group D in jeopardy with a 1-0 loss to Costa Rican guests Herediano, who had lost all three of their matches in CONCACAF Champions League play before making the trip up to the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Sounders Vs. Herediano, 2011 CONCACAF Champions League: Sounders Downed 1-0 At Home By Last Place Team
The Sounders' strategy of impersonating the Colorado Rapids by lobbing long balls up to Nate Jaqua and hoping something happened was fundamentally flawed for two reasons. The first was that Nate Jaqua didn't have a clue what to do with the passes once the got there, and the second involved the team's aim being abysmal. Time after time possession ended with a dreadful long pass, and after Jaqua saw a shot deflected over an open goal (his best chance of the game), Herediano struck via free kick, Josimar Arias sending a 30-yard scorcher over the wall and into the back of Kasey Keller's net.
With the Sounders chasing a goal, Sigi Schmid introduced his best players in the middle of the second half, sending Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso out onto the pitch to put more pressure on the visitors. It worked, but only to a point - the hosts were much improved but still failed to crack Daniel Cambronero in Heredia's net. Their very last chance of the match was saved in spectacular fashion, with the goalkeeper clawing away a header by substitute Samuel Ochoa, but ultimately, Seattle didn't deserve a goal, and didn't get one.
With Monterrey beating Comunicaciones, the Sounders maintain their three-point lead at the top of the group, but this was a chance to turn qualification into a formality. Not only did the hosts fail to take it, they embarrassed themselves in the process.
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