The Expansion Team Perspective

Fans of Sounders FC got a little spoiled starting the season with three wins and 9 points int eh squad’s first three matches. Continuing that form would be difficult… and it was. Following two consecutive losses and a win, the club has drawn three consecutive matches to carry a 4-2-3 record through the first nine games on the 2009 campaign.

Newer fans have a taste in their mouth that a tie is as bad as a loss. And this is simply not the case. Three consecutive ties is not a bad thing, especially when two of those are on the road.

Did we deserve the draw in Chicago? No, but it was great for the club to fight being down a man and to walk out with a point. How about the following weekend against the Galaxy? Again, down a man, the Sounders controlled the game and had their chances to end the game with a ‘W’. And this past weekend in Texas? True, Seattle had their opportunities to go up on FC Dallas early and walk away with a win, but Dallas had too many opportunities to win the game, especially in the second half.

So here is the expansion Seattle Sounders FC, carrying a 4-2-3 record. Those 15 points rank Seattle second in the league, yet the early season form and expectations to win are catching wind across the city. Let’s look at how the other Expansion Clubs performed through their first 9 games in MLS…

Chicago (1998): 4-5-0
Miami (1998): 5-4-0
Salt Lake (2005): 3-4-2
Chivas usa (2005): 1-7-1
Toronto (2007): 3-5-1
San Jose (2008): 2-6-1
Seattle (2009): 4-2-3

One club had more wins than our boys in Rave Green do through the first 9 games. But Seattle has lost only two matches and looking at the Tie Column shows no one with 3 draws.

It’s OK to to desire our boys to do well, but let’s put things into a “glass is half-full” perspective- 3 consecutive draws is not a bad thing. And historically we are watching one of the best clubs to play during their inaugural season.