Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid made it clear earlier this week what his team’s objective would be during the Group Stage of the 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League: get results on the road and take all three points when playing at home.
Not only did the Sounders earn a road point against Vancouver on Wednesday, but they also ended a run of over 400 minutes without scoring a goal. Lamar Neagle provided the breakthrough in the 72nd minute, leveling the match at 1-1 by redirecting Andy Rose’s cross inside the near post.
Schmid rested many of his regular starters on Wednesday, giving young players such as Aaron Kovar and Oniel Fisher a spot in the starting lineup. Here’s what Schmid, Neagle and captain Brad Evans said about the 1-1 result.
Sigi Schmid:
“We’re a team that’s still searching to get back into our groove, and I think tonight was a big step in that direction…I’m happy for [Neagle], and happy for our team to have scored a goal. I think there’s a number of guys who could have gotten that goal [tonight]. So it’s good for him, but it’s mainly good for our team. Hopefully this is the start of something going forward.”
Brad Evans:
“Ties can go two different ways. Playing away from home, when you relinquish a goal and get one back, it doesn’t quite feel like a win but it gives you a little bit of pep going forward. Especially to get that goal and get the monkey off our back, it feels good…I know the guys who weren’t here tonight are putting in work back in Seattle. They’re going to be licking their chops and ready to go against LA this weekend.”
Lamar Neagle:
“It was a bit of a relief. Going into the locker room at half, we felt we should have had a couple [goals]. Unfortunately we didn’t get a couple, but it was still good to get one…Now that it’s kind of off our back and we actually have a goal, it’s nice. Hopefully we can build on it. I think we definitely had a ton of opportunities, so hopefully we can all start converting.”
