Too bad for the Thunder that they could not share in Cruise’s happy ending. For not the first time this season the Thunder could not hold an early lead. Seattle scored 2 goals off of set pieces as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. It was another game where the Thunder seemed to have the overall better run of play, yet could not come ahead on the scoreboard, the only place that matters.

After 5 minutes of the two teams feeling each other out, Aaron Paye brought the crowd to its feet with a goal in the 6th. Paye made a good run and received a pass from Jeff Matteo. Paye then beat a defender and made a nifty run ending with a well place shot past Burpo.

Before Thor could even pepper the crowd with mini soccer balls, the Thunder had a second goal. This time Melvin Tarley’s tally tickled the twine. Matteo again was the provider of a pass to the middle where Tarley ran free on to the ball and calmly slotted it home.

The Thunder would be unable to capitalize again on the unorganized Seattle defense. Matteo shot high on a free kick in the 11th from about 30 yards out. Then in the 14th Tarley tried to pick out Matteo on a cross but the play was broken up. In the 23rd minute Paye came close to scoring after a nifty play in which he beat his man by chipping the ball to himself in the box. However, Burpo read the play nicely and gathered the loose ball. After this the Sounders defense seemed to play stronger for the remainder of the first half.

Goalkeeper Joe Warren and the Thunder defense were not tested much in the first 25 minutes of the game. When Seattle did press, the Thunder looked fairly well organized. Chris Vorenkamp was strong in a defensive midfielder roll. Chris Brunt shut the door on any attacks that came down the right.

In the 27th minute Seattle struck a goal back from a thrown in, deep in the Thunder end. The long throw found two waiting Seattle players and Zach Scott redirected the ball into the net. For the first time of the night the Thunder seemed to miss the gravity-defying height of Brett Branan who was not in the game due to a red card suspension. Branan is usually strong in the air and no one seemed to step up to that role. Joe Warren could have been a little more forceful inthe command of his area as well. Joe is not lacking in size and perhaps could have punched the ball away.

In the 35th minute Kiki Lara, who started the game on the left, and Jay Alberts, who started the game on the right, switched sides. There did not seem to be any advantage gained by the switch. The Thunder had a lot of possession in the last 15 minutes of the first half, but rarely in the attacking third. Seattle defended their area well and forced the Thunder to often swing the ball back and forth looking for an opening. The Thunder did manage 2 shots in the closing minutes, one by Matteo and one by Matt Schmidt, both forced Burpo to make saves.

The teams headed to the locker room with the Thunder leading 2-1. The Thunder had a small edge in possession for the half as well more opportunities overall, justifying the score. The second half would be more of a familiar site for Thunder regulars. The Thunder got themselves into position several times to have a scoring chance, butcould not quite come up with the last pass, or correct touch to turn a good situation into a shot opportunity. The first such incident came in the 50th minute on a corner kick. The ball came clear throughthe 6 yard box about waist high but no one could supply a redirection toward net.

In the 52nd things got worse for the Thunder. On a free kick 30+ yards out Seattle again found the back of the net. Joe Warren was beat on a shot from distance that was not struck terribly hard, but was placed well, just inside the left corner. Joe seemed to react slow to the ball, perhaps screened on the play.

Having tied the score, the Sounders had the better run of play for several minutes. Warren was forced to rush out and make a nice save in the 54th on a through ball. Seattle pressed forward with their most determined attacks of the night. The Thunder seemed compressed in their half. When they did get the ball out, there was little or no support in attack.

In the 65th, Matteo and Lara came off for Godfrey Tenoff and Jonathon Hargis. The fresh legs seemed to help the Thunder keep better possession and move more fluidly into attacking. Tenoff had a pair of shots in he 74th and 75th minutes, one over the bar and one saved by Burpo.

Jay Alberts had what was perhaps the best chance for the Thunder of the second half in the 77th minute. Alberts made a great diagonal run and the ball was delivered well to him through the air. However, Burpo once again read it well and Alberts could not get a clean touch on the ball for a shot.

The game raised in intensity in the 78th minute when Chris Brunt and Seattle’s Welton Melo each received yellow cards for an incident at the sideline. If that was not enough to raise the collective blood pressure, four minutes later Ryan Edwards was awarded a red cardfor a ghastly tackle from behind on Alberts near the center of the pitch. Alberts stayed down for several minutes before being helped off the game, unable to put any weight on his left leg.

Being up a man, the Thunder pressed the attack the rest of the game, but were unable to score. Subs Chad Dombrowski and Johnny Menyongar nearly connected on a well weighted pass which would have seen Menyongar in on net, but Burpo again came off his line to gather the ball.

After four minutes of stoppage time and several shots wide by the Thunder the game ended a disappointing 2-2.

Player assessments:

Joe Warren: C Only faced 3 shots, 2 went in. Neither goal was a horrible mistake, but perhaps both could have been saved. Distribution was better than some nights as wind was less a factor. For the Thunder to make a run toward the playoffs he must play better.

Michael Wilson: B+ Very solid defensively. Made some strong tackles and distributed the ball well.

Nathan Knox: B- No glaring mistakes, but nothing spectacular either. Playing central D he should have challenged for the first goal allowed. If the Thunder ever go 4-4-2 he clearly will not be a liability.

Chris Brunt: A My man of the match. He shut down everything that came down his side, so much so that for the most part, Seattle did not even try his side the whole 2nd half. So strong in the air for his height. Made good runs forward while Alberts was still on his side.

Kiki Lara: C+ Not a strong game for a player who showed much promise in earlier games. Had a few good crosses, but is a defensive liability. Perhaps better suited to be an energizing sub.

Chris Vorenkamp: B+ Strong showing in place of Juarez. Used his size and strength well. Limited Seattle’s chances through the middle. A bit of a liability moving the ball forward, but played well within his game making mostly safe passes.

Jeff Matteo: A- Two alert passes set up both goals. Strong going forward. When he left the game the connection from defense to offense was not as fluid.

Matt Schmidt: B Solid game as always. Wins balls, makes good tackles. Seemed to lack a bit of energy in the 2nd half perhaps because he played a full 90 two days before as well.

Jay Alberts: A The spark plug for the team. Made great runs forward as well as defensive cover back. When on the right with Brunt the two dominated and worked well together. Smart passer of the ball. Seems to always be open for teammates. He will be sorely missed with injury.

Aaron Paye: B- After scoring a goal seemed to be less involved in the game. It is obvious that he is talented with the ball but does not seem to be used in a way to take advantage of that. With his back to the net as a target man he is ineffective and overpowered.

Melvin Tarley: B+ Very good with back to the net, strong and holds off defenders well. Too many times when he received a long ball from the back there were no options for him from teammates.

Subs:

Godfrey Tenoff 65’: B Played out of position in the attacking mid. Had some good opportunities, but did not seem to provide the link between the defense and the offense.

Jonathon Hargis 65’: C Seemed to not be as involved as he could have been. Only in stoppage time did he seem to come alive. Would like more energy as a sub with fresh legs.

Johnny Menyongar 72’: B- Made some good runs but also lacked any real involvement in the game. Expected more for his level of talent.

Chad Dombrowski 80: B Active off the bench, made a few nice passes in his short time on the pitch

James Prosser 85: N/A In for the injured Alberts. Coaching: B- It was a tough assignment to play for the 2nd time in 3 days with 2 starters suspended. The choice of players on the field seemed to be the right one. Would have liked to see fewer long balls hit toward Paye who is too small. The team scored with quick short-medium passes, yet seemed to want to hit lots of long balls after that. For the team to make the playoffs it needs to start getting wins. Blowing 2 goal leads at home is not the way to be a playoff team.