Analysis: Schmid nobly accepts blame but too many had their worst game in the Sounders jersey

Sounders FC at Columbus Player Ratings

Stefan Frei 7.5: The Swiss made a pretty smart grab from a Remick deflection in 8 but was repeatedly left unprotected. He made a good second half save from Meram from distance, and again in 89 when tested by Kristinn Steindórsson. With the deficit only at one goal at that point, it could have been a point saver.

Frei did not overtly yell at his defenders despite good cause. He seemed to realise early on it was just a bad day at the office. However, his defenders may have cause for relief that the German Schmid cannot understand Swiss-German when spoken at its angriest.

Dylan Remick 4.5: The youngster was the only man closing down early amid some uncharacteristically loose defending elsewhere. However he soon feel into the general defensive malaise. He will not be happy at his contribution to the second half goals but far more experienced mean were guiltier so he shouldn’t worry. He’s keep ing Leo Gonzalez out the team, a man who has swatted away all challengers and he should continue to do so.

Chad Marshall 3.5: He was totally at fault for Kei Kamara’s opener when he allowed the Sierra Leonese to get goal side. Marshall was completely outfoxed by Kamara again on 52 as he put his head down and charged down the middle. The off the ball movement sent a few other defenders scrambling too. He was fortunate seconds later when Ethan Findlay fooled him too and fired over. Marshall’s day was about to get worse as he missed the ball going across his patch twice for the third goal, although you could pin fault on that goal to most of the outfielders at some place. Marshall’s an honest guy. He’ll know that was a nightmare and his worst performance in a Sounders kit.

Brad Evans 3.5: Evans made a good interception just after the opening goal. He spent too much time yelling at the linesman. He was caught a step short chasing Meram in 21 and the same player fired past him from long range in 72. If blame is being chucked around on the third goal, Evans is in there but he’s never going to be the guy who carries regular defenders having off days.

Tyrone Mears 3: Crew found masses of space on his flank early. He was one of the three defenders at fault for running parallel to Higuain on the second  goal. Once can only ponder why Crew were given so much space on the right flank at the third goal. Mears’ absences were generally not compensated for by any offensive contribution. Mears has started well but this was his worst showing with the Space Needle on his chest. He’ll rebound. He’s not Djimi Traore.

Osvaldo Alonso 3.5: Alonso was much slower to close down than his usual. Perhaps a  sign that he is off form came in 48 when Tony Tchani dithered on the ball in the middle of the pitch. Normally Alonso would have swept the ball away and found the nearby Martins who was waiting to hare down on the Crew goal. Instead Alonso just hacked at the area and conceded a free kick. He was probably most at fault for the non-challenge on Higuain at the second goal. Something is wrong with Alonso and his excellence at baiting Gershon Koffie won’t prevent the Whitecaps exploiting it next week. This may have been one of Alonso’s worst performances as a Sounder.

Marco Pappa 4: (off in 62′) A good assist for Dempsey’s goal was about the highlight of his first half, but he started the second with some decent defending. On 54, he was dreadfully slow when he received the ball from Martins, allowing Jimenez to deny him a shot. That said it was a good move between the two up till then.

Gonzalo Pineda 4: The veteran was fouled early by Kamara when he dithered on the ball for too long,. He could be grateful Kamara can’t tackle. The set piece guy delivered a poor first corner that did not beat the first man. A second ball into ‘danger’ on 12 was yards away from any white shirt. Pineda was completely flummoxed by Meram in 72 before he unleashed a shot from 25 yards. Not a great day.

 

Andy Rose 4.5: (off in 69′) Andy Rose made a  weak shot on 8 minutes. This time there was no goalkeeper to fumble out a rebound, allowing for a goal as win the derby. If a player is to be successful in the role Rose plays, a more threatening finish has to become part of his artillery. He was one of the three defenders at fault for running parallel to Higuain on the second  goal.

Clint Dempsey 5.5: A non-factor early in the game. Then on 23, the Texan produced a truly remarkable finish when Mohamed Saeid was too slow to close him down. He was one of the three defenders at fault for running parallel to Higuain on the second  goal but he did get back to help out once his side trailed. Dempsey showed lack of awareness in being offside on the second goal but was right to play to the whistle. It should not have counted but these things balance out over a season. Still this poor call should prevent Schmid blaming refs for his woes for a few weeks!

Analysis: Schmid nobly accepts blame but too many had their worst game in the Sounders jersey

Obafemi Martins 4.5: The first half was his most ineffective for some while. He lost the physical battle with Emmanuel Pogatetz, in one of the game’s more entertaining sub-plots. The miss on the second goal will not be talked about amid the offside controversy but he should have done better than hit Steve Clark. Kudos to the Crew announcers for saying that these breaks even out over a season and not pandering to any victim complex. This wasn’t Martins worst day but Columbus saw none of the recent electricity.

Substitutes:

Lamar Neagle 6: (on in 62′) The man who enjoys playing Columbis made a great run inside the box in 72 and forced some good defending with his cross. His case for a starting berth has never been stronger.

Chad Barrett 5: (on in 69′) Barrett provided a physical presence but his colleagues did not stick the ball into danger zones enough to give him a chance to change the outcome.