Coming off a one-week absence, the Weekly Grades are back! And after reading and inbox full of emails from depressed fans suffering withdrawal symptoms, I realized how profoundly this post has touched people’s lives. As such, I pledge myself to never miss a week again.
Who am I kidding? No one even realized the grades were missing… yet here I am, writing them again. Anyhow…
Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders tied for the second week in a row, finishing with a 1-1 score against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Le Toux scored the first goal of the game, but the Galaxy tied it up 1-1 before halftime on an Alan Gordon header, breaking Kasey Keller’s scoreless streak.
Once again, the Sounders had to play a man down, with defender James Riley receiving a red card in the 56th minute. This has seemed to be the Sounders’ Achilles heel this season, as they are tied for first in the MLS in red cards with three. Their record in games where they have not gotten a red card is 4-1-0.
Nevertheless, the Sounders remain 4-2-2 and in second place in the Western Conference behind Chivas USA. Although they have proven they can hold their own one man down, the Sounders still need to avoid the costly mistakes that place them in this position. If they are able to do so, they will be able to escape games with more than a tie. Grade: B
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners struggled through a tough week, losing six straight, four of which were on the road. They were finally able to bounce back yesterday with a 5-3 win over Minnesota. Brandon Morrow made a shaky return, loading the bases and giving up a run, but escaping with the save.
However, the Ms magic from the beginning of the season has begun to die down. Now 1.5 games out of the lead in the West, the Mariners have lost a lot of ground in their six-game skid. However, they have seemed to turn it around just at the right time and will now enter Texas with a chance to regain control of the West.
Some of the realities that have been covered up by recent Mariners success have been unearthed in their last losing streak. Primarily, the Ms’ well executed small ball has been less successful, and their lack of power has become more prevalent. We need to get power from more places than just Russell Branyan in order to contend. Though its been rough, I’m definitely not willing to say its over already for the Ms. Grade: D-
Carlos Silva: However, I do think it should be over for this man. At least, he should be removed from the starting rotation and put in the minors or the bullpen. Instead, the Mariners placed him on the 15-day DL in a poor attempt to excuse his terrible performance on account of injury.
I mean, shoulder inflammation? Really? You don’t let a pitcher with an 8.48 ERA and complaining about shoulder stiffness pitch two whole games. You put him on the DL immediately, or after one bad game at the latest. It’s as simple as that. The Mariners’ placing him on the DL is only a ruse to buy him sympathy from the public and give him another chance to live up to his $48 million contract. Something he will never come close to doing. Grade: F
Photo Source: Seattle Times
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/05/...
Who am I kidding? No one even realized the grades were missing… yet here I am, writing them again. Anyhow…
Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders tied for the second week in a row, finishing with a 1-1 score against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Le Toux scored the first goal of the game, but the Galaxy tied it up 1-1 before halftime on an Alan Gordon header, breaking Kasey Keller’s scoreless streak.
Once again, the Sounders had to play a man down, with defender James Riley receiving a red card in the 56th minute. This has seemed to be the Sounders’ Achilles heel this season, as they are tied for first in the MLS in red cards with three. Their record in games where they have not gotten a red card is 4-1-0.
Nevertheless, the Sounders remain 4-2-2 and in second place in the Western Conference behind Chivas USA. Although they have proven they can hold their own one man down, the Sounders still need to avoid the costly mistakes that place them in this position. If they are able to do so, they will be able to escape games with more than a tie. Grade: B
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners struggled through a tough week, losing six straight, four of which were on the road. They were finally able to bounce back yesterday with a 5-3 win over Minnesota. Brandon Morrow made a shaky return, loading the bases and giving up a run, but escaping with the save.
However, the Ms magic from the beginning of the season has begun to die down. Now 1.5 games out of the lead in the West, the Mariners have lost a lot of ground in their six-game skid. However, they have seemed to turn it around just at the right time and will now enter Texas with a chance to regain control of the West.
Some of the realities that have been covered up by recent Mariners success have been unearthed in their last losing streak. Primarily, the Ms’ well executed small ball has been less successful, and their lack of power has become more prevalent. We need to get power from more places than just Russell Branyan in order to contend. Though its been rough, I’m definitely not willing to say its over already for the Ms. Grade: D-
Carlos Silva: However, I do think it should be over for this man. At least, he should be removed from the starting rotation and put in the minors or the bullpen. Instead, the Mariners placed him on the 15-day DL in a poor attempt to excuse his terrible performance on account of injury. I mean, shoulder inflammation? Really? You don’t let a pitcher with an 8.48 ERA and complaining about shoulder stiffness pitch two whole games. You put him on the DL immediately, or after one bad game at the latest. It’s as simple as that. The Mariners’ placing him on the DL is only a ruse to buy him sympathy from the public and give him another chance to live up to his $48 million contract. Something he will never come close to doing. Grade: F
Photo Source: Seattle Times
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/05/...
