What we learned vs. Seattle Sounders FC

We finally got our first Cascadia win in front of a rocking crowd on a perfect night at BC Place Saturday.

So what did we learn?

Brad Knighton

Wow.

If you thought that Brad Knighton would simply step aside and let our new acquisition step in between the posts, you got an emphatic answer to the contrary on Saturday.

There is no doubt that Brad knew that the coaching staff were looking for a response from him to keep his place in net. His newest competitor, Danish ‘keeper David Ousted, has a reputation for making big saves for his team that would keep them in games.

Already coming off of a pair of strong performances on the road in which he conceded only a single goal (of which he was certainly not at fault) in two matches, Knighton came out and made a statement

Some of his saves were incredible, which won him the Budweiser Man of the Match award and enabled him to send out a message that he will not give up his spot without a fight.

Stepping up to the plate

Knighton stood out, but he wasn’t the only one to step up. Right now the team is doing what good teams do by having different players step up to the plate in each game.

On Saturday it was a quiet day for Camilo, but we had Kenny Miller score an early goal to settle the nerves a little.

We were missing Russell Teibert, but his absence was softened by the play of Corey Hertzog who assisted on Kenny’s goal and never stopped running until he got injured in the second half.

You also had Jun Marques Davidson popping up all over the field as well as keeping an eye on Seattle’s main threat, Obafemi Martins.

As the game was in the balance, on comes Darren Mattocks to remind us that he will still be around to score important goals.

And I have already mentioned Brad Knighton coming up big in this game, assuring us all that we don’t always have to rely on offence to win us games.

So whose turn will it be next week?

A much needed win

Entering this game I spoke to a few people telling them my thoughts on the game ahead. That thought was mainly that if we didn’t win that night versus Seattle, it will feel like we will never win.

Our recent form, our home field advantage, and a sell-out crowd all pointed to our first victory over the Sounders. This was as close to a must win game as you could come to and the boys responded by storming out of the gates, grabbing that early goal, and battling to get that needed victory.

I have been around the players when we have lost or tied to our Cascadia rivals and I have seen the pain in their faces because they know how much these derby games mean to the fans. It has been a drain on the players and it was important – especially being on this impressive streak that they are on – to put it right and give the fans a Cascadia win and some bragging rights.

There was much love shared at the end of the game as our ‘Caps players and fans celebrated with the fans on this magical night.