Sounders FC: Tying One On (Again)

Seriously, dude, what's your excuse this time? Why so long between updates.

Well, I don't want to use it as an excuse, but on Tuesday I had to shoot a group portait of the 2009 Seagals.

You wanted to be my assistant for that shoot? I called you, I left emails and a text and you never responded.

Tough work but someone had to do it. Might as well have been me. Photos to come, soon.

Back to the weekend, and our beloved Sounders FC, who once again played well enough to win, but didn't, settling for a 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew.

The Crew are the defending M.L.S. champions, which they won under current Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid, so that was one of the story lines.

Could this young fan be any cuter? The color of her eyes even matches her scarf.

(Nikon D3, VR 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 125mm, ISO400, 1/125th sec.,f2.8)

Seahawks head coach Jim Mora was presented with the honorary Golden Scarf before the game. He's a big Sounders FC fan, and brings his family to games. But more on that later.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 270mm, ISO 800, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

Sounders players and coaches huddled before the start of the game. It was a warm, pleasant evening and a perfect night for soccer.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 800, 1/250th sec., f4.0)

The game was closely contested, and in the first half Seattle's Tyrone Marshall got himself above Columbus's Emmanuel Ekpo to win a header.

(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 2000, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

After Columbus scored to take a 1-0 lead in the first half, Seattle had a great chance when Freddie Ljungberg was taken down in the box. However, his penalty kick was wide of the mark and a great opportunity was missed.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 240mm,  ISO 2500, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

Fans at Qwest Field reacted after finally, an official's call had gone the Sounders way, only to be wasted.

(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 2500, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller continued his stellar play, stopping a straight on shot by Ekpo.

(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 2500, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

Nate Jaqua tangled with Columbus's Eddie Gaven, as the Crew worked hard to smother Seattle's forwards.

(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 2500, 1/640th sec.,f4.0)

In the second half, Jaqua finally worked himself free and made a perfect strike on a volley after a nifty pass from Freddie Ljungberg.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 280mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

The ball rocketed into the top of the net and the celebration was on.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 70mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

By the way, the guy lower right high-fiving? Yep, that's Coach Mora. Told you we'd come back to that.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 66mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Can't have an M.L.S. game without cards being given out. At this rate, maybe Hallmark should be a presenting sponsor (*note to self — call league office). After Columbus goalkeeper Andy Greunebaum illegally touched a back pass, Seattle was awarded a free kick at the six-yard mark. Defenders are by rule supposed to be at least ten yards from the ball, so they should have been on the goal line. Referee Michael Kennedy was doing his best to keep the Crew defenders back, and when they crept up he finally got tired of it and issued cards.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 270mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

The rest of the match was physical, as Columbus was fighting for a draw on the road and Seattle pressed for a victory to end their own recent run of draws.

Jaqua found himself sandwiched between two Crew defenders on a corner kick.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 240mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

Later, Ljungberg left Columbus defender Gino Padula on the Field Turf. Yes, this was quite likely a hand ball, and no, it wasn't called. Ljungberg made off with the ball anyway, and that might have been the reason for the non-call.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/4.0 lens @ 400mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

After the game, Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid hugged his former player Alejandro Moreno, who scored the lone Columbus goal.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 62mm, ISO 1600, 1/500th sec.,f4.0)

After settling for the draw on their home turf, Seattle's Fredy Montero sat somewhat dejectedly on the bench until teammate Steve Zakuani came by to offer support.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 36mm, ISO 1600, 1/500th sec.,f4.0)

Sounder FC next plays at home on June 13, on the Xbox 360 Pitch at Qwest Field.

Thanks for reading!