Headline:
The Sounders won, the Huskies won, the Seahawks won BIG TIME.
Executive Summary:
The Sounders’ dominating 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake vaulted them over that team for first place in the MLS Western Conference. Lamar Neagle and Obafemi Martins scored the goals.
The Huskies beat Illinois in Chicago 34-24 for their first win away from Seattle against a non-conference opponent since 2007. The Dawgs were also dominant, and their margin of victory should have been much bigger, but they fumbled twice and committed 12 penalties.
Continuing the dominant theme, the Seahawks’ defense shut San Francisco down completely, keying Seattle’s 29-3 blowout victory over the 49ers. The game was scoreless when lightning caused an hour-long delay; after that the Hawks’ defense set the offense up with terrific field position, and Marshawn Lynch came through with three TDs.
If you want to sound smart around the watercooler:
Say: “Are we watching one of the NFL’s greatest defenses?”
Your background: The San Francisco 49ers possess one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. No one doubts this. Last week against Green Bay, which has one of the NFL’s better defenses, the Niners scored 34 points, gained 494 yards, and star receiver Anquan Boldin had 13 catches. Against the Seahawks on Sunday night? The Niners scored 3 points, gained 207 yards, and star receiver Anquan Boldin (blanketed by Richard Sherman most of the night) had 1 catch. It was simply one of the finest defensive performances in Seahawks’ history.
Say: “The Supporters’ Shield is ours to lose!”
Your background: In European soccer, the league champion is usually the team that finishes with the best record; there’s no playoffs. In most American sports, the team that finishes with the best record gets diddley-squat (see the 2001 Mariners). This used to be the case in the MLS, but some fans came up with the idea of recognizing team with the best record with the “Supporters’ Shield.” The winner gets a trophy and an automatic berth in the CONCACAF Champions’ League. With Friday’s win, the Sounders have 49 points (you get three for a win, one for a draw), one better than New York and Real Salt Lake.
Say: “Price and Sankey looked amazing, but what’s wrong with ASJ?”
Your background: Quarterback Price, running back Sankey, and tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (a.k.a. “ASJ”) are the three most talented offensive players the Huskies have. On Saturday against Illinois, Price threw for 342 yards, completing 80% of his passes. Sankey ran for a career-high 208 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. But ASJ, playing his first game of the season after serving a one-game suspension to atone for a drunk-driving charge, looked out of it. He’s considered the best NFL prospect of the 3, but won’t be for long if he plays like he did Saturday—committing 3 penalties, whiffing on blocks, gaining only 7 receiving yards, and appearing out of breath.
Next week: Huskies vs. Idaho State, Saturday, noon; Sounders @ L.A. Galaxy, Saturday, 7:30 pm; Seahawks vs. Jacksonville, Sunday, 1:25 pm.
