MLS Season Kicks Off With Seattle Downing Expansion Philadelphia 2-0
The 2010 season began the way the 2009 season did, with Seattle playing in the league’s first game and winning the first game. Last year Seattle was the expansion team, and they won their opener over New York in route to a winning record and a playoff appearance. This time around Seattle played the part of the veteran team and the Philadelphia Union the expansion team, but the result, for Seattle at any rate, was the same.
For Philadelphia, it was reality setting in all too quickly. Despite Philly wanting to have the type of expansion season like Seattle enjoyed a year ago, it is unlikely to happen. The Sounders were only the second first year team in MLS history to have a winning record (the Chicago Fire the other). The more probable outcome for an expansion team is a losing record and a lot of frustration. Unfortunately for Philly, this first year version of The Union may not be built for a whole lot success.
Two of the main reasons Seattle is one of the favorites in the MLS going into this season are both named Freddie (well, on Freddie and one Fredy). Freddie Ljundberg, the veteran Swede, and Fredy Montero, the young Columbian.
In the 12th minute Ljundberg brought the ball down the right side, fed Montero, who got it to Steve Zakuani, who slipped it to Brad Evans, scoring the season’s first goal. Philadelphia went down to 10 men when Toni Stahl picked up his second yellow just 40 minutes in. Just three minutes later Montero made them pay with his first goal of the season. Seattle went up 2-0, and despite many chances in the 2nd half, the game ended with that score line.
Seattle expanded the seating for Sounders games at Qwest field from approximately 32,000 to 35,000, and, as usual, the game was a sellout. The Sounders have sold 32,000 season tickets. They are the model franchise in the MLS in only their second year; a blueprint Philadelphia would love to follow. However, the script for their opening season has started just a little different than they had hoped. But, there is plenty of time to right the ship. Philly opens their brand new stadium, PPL Park, on April 10th against D.C. United.
By: Ron Furlong
DFN Sports Staff Writer
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