TORONTO V SOUNDERS PLAYER BY PLAYER REVIEW:

April 5

See the current 2009 Table on the Prost Amerika Player Ratings 2009 Table

Five Players Get an Eight So You, the Readers, Will Decide the Man of the Match – Vote Here for Man of the Match – Vote aqui por el jugador del partido

This week, Prost Amerika welcomes a guest player rater. Dave Clark is the editor of Sounder at Heart and is known for being a great analyst of the game’s statistical side.

Seattle Sounders FC focused on the game played between endlines with a ball and two goals. In this Seattle showed that they are not an expansion team, and instead are the start of the third era of MLS, an era where the quality of play on the pitch is more important than the atmosphere. Player Reviews to follow, but it should be noted that the first half play essentially determined the result. Osvaldo Alonso, Nate Jaqua, Freddie Ljungberg, James Riley and Steve Zakuani all got an 8/10, so we have decided to turn it over to you the readers to decide the award. Click here to vote.

Kasey Keller – It was a winning effort, but again Keller was not seriously challenged for the majority of the match. His play was more than solid, and again demonstrated why he captains the team. While there is a tiny bit of room for improvement in his catching of the ball, he parried and distributed well. It is certainly hard though to give him higher ratings when his outfield limits his challenges so. 7/10

Zach Scott – Zach put forward a solid effort, but again did not face a serious challenge. His card was well earned, necessary and done with solid intelligence and skill. It was obvious that Scott’s foul was not malicious. Zach got forward less often than he has in the past, but it seemed to me that he stayed back as help against Vitti, Barrett and De-Ro. 6/10

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado – Kennedy was tasked as the marking back again. While in the past he has been stellar at controlling the threat of the opposition today the entry passes from the opposition never arrived. Hurtado switched from marking Barrett and Vitti based on the defensive situation and forced both to pick the ball up in the center third. But it is nearly impossible for a backline player to get great ratings when the opposing team doesn’t threaten while the game is in doubt. 6/10

Tyrone Marshall – Making some key hard tackles when threatened Marshall was the defender most key in controlling the entry passes into the area, as well as stopping the rare attacks from the Reds. Marshall showed no malice to the opposition, but made it quite clear to the Toronto faithful that their failures on defense were not due to him in 2008. 6.5/10

James Riley – Riley again came forward as an attacking back actually participating in both goals. On the first he was the initiator of the attack and made an overlapping run down the right line, while on the second he threw in the ball and was available outlet for Ljungberg only a few yards from the Toronto endline. Riley continues to win the battle in the air with taller players and his defense was part of the reason why Keller was rarely effectively challenged.8/10

Steve Zakuani – While at times inconsistent, Zakuani showed the offensive skills to justify his pick at number 1 overall in the Draft, and his Generation Adidas deal. There were times while Steve showed amazing ball control, but he also faded into the background on occasion. Some would call his goal a garbage opportunity, but staying in formation and awaiting the opportunity is also a key role of any player. Against Toronto Steve also came back defensively more than he has in the past. 8/10

Osvaldo Alonso – Alonso continues to execute the defense in ways that shuts down the opposing offense. While the Cuban didn’t come forward as often as he has in the previous two matches he went wide in defense often enough to capture the ball and immediately transition to attack. Not to build-up but pure unadulterated attack. On defense no player was more important than the former USL standout. 8/10

Brad Evans – Conductor Evans continues a string of workman like performances. While they won’t be recorded in any history of the 2009 season they are a reason for the early success of the expansion Sounders. Evans ball control and center third winning are a key part of the 3-0-0 success, and while he was only a tiny part of any goal, his dedication to quality play deserves recognition. 7/10

Sebastien Le Toux – While Seba didn’t have a single move that stood out he consistently performed at or above his expectation. Usually lined up with an MLS standout as his opposition Le Toux did not let the environment, nor the opponent keep him down. While Seba was kept off the books none should consider today a failure for a former USL MVP. 7.5/10

Nate Jaqua – Sure it was just an assist on a give-and-go triangle, but Nate also disturbed the Toronto defense at many occasions. Jaqua isn’t about speed, but uses tenacity and height to win balls that most in MLS could not. Winning contestable balls and holding them until help came is his defined role, but against TFC Jaqua also played well with the ball at his feet. Easily his best game of the season, even without a goal. 8/10

Freddie Ljungberg – Fredy or Freddie it seems that the withdrawn forward on this team will always be willing to drive the offense as well as help defensively regardless of the marking or even double marking. The former Swedish Captain showed why he is DP material with his goal play, but also when he loomed over his opponents post foul just to show that their nudges and bumps were nothing compared to FA Cup match-ups against League Two clubs. 8/10

Sanna Nyassi – Sanna came on to both rest Freddie as well as provide a little spark of energy defensively. He more than accomplished this role, but he also succeeded in showing MLS that while a substitute he is also an offensive threat that deserves respect for both pace and on ball skills. 7/10

Nathan Sturgis – Sturgis did not figure importantly in any key plays, but continues to show that his contributions as a team regular will be a part of the club’s success over the years to come. He added ball winning in the middle third during a time when both clubs were tiring. Nathan will continue to be a regular in Sigi’s tactics whenever defense is needed. 6.5/10

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