SEATTLE – Obafemi Martins may not wear a cape, but he is most certainly a superhero for the Seattle Sounders FC. The Nigerian striker can snare long passes on his feet and juke defenders into submission. Bringing peace to his troubled homeland might be a stretch, but Oba racks up goals and assists that astound.
Yes, Clint Dempsey gave Seattle the victory Sunday against archrival Portland with a burst of his own magic, heading the ball behind him to Andy Rose in front of the Timbers goal, then driving the rebound home when the goalie parried Rose’s weak effort. But Martins’ footprints were all over the 1-0 victory at CenturyLink Field. He gave Portland fits whenever he touched the ball, inciting the boisterous home crowd and giving the rave green confidence.
If only Martins could work some of his magic in Africa, where religious extremism and oil dollars mix with tribal tensions to wreak misery on the vulnerable. The First World nibbles at the edges of the problem, sending rescue boats to the Mediterranean, with little idea how to contain the savagery and chaos in great swathes of Libya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Are the girls who were kidnapped from schools in Nigeria gone forever?
Fortunately, in the U.S., many of our rivalries play out on sports fields, with foam fingers and green scarves instead of machetes. I think the Sounders should be favorites to finally take the MLS Cup and the win over the stubborn Timbers proves it. Seattle was able to keep a clean sheet against an inspired foe despite the absence of their stalwart fullback Chad Marshall, Major League Soccer’s best defender.
Marshall, who has made the Sounders’ once vulnerable defense stout since his trade from Columbus before last season, was serving a suspension for a cleats-up challenge on the April 18 game against the Colorado Rapids. Zach Scott served ably in his place and Brad Evans, who looked so lost at center fullback earlier in the season, positioned himself well and kept the Timbers from solid chances.
Yes, Portland did get off two fine shots and muffed a couple of headers in front of the Sounders goal off set pieces, but they rarely were able to mount a cohesive attack. With key players Diego Valeri and Will Johnson still out due to injury, the Timbers seemed a bit rudderless. Midfielder Darlington Nagbe is skillful, but he’s developed an allergy to the goal.
The Timbers found confidence and energy in 2013, coach Caleb Porter’s first year in Portland, but they lost their mojo last year. Now 2-2-3 after the loss to Seattle, they’re still looking for it this season.
The Sounders, on the other hand, are 4-2-1 and in third place in the Western Conference. They won the Supporters Shield last year (for best regular-season record) and the Open Cup, and came within a hair’s breadth of defeating eventual MLS Cup winner Los Angeles Galaxy in the Western Conference finals.
Some fans have been concerned that the Sounders’ chances had diminished because they stood pat in the off season while other teams made flashy signings. However, the presence of Kaka at Orlando FC and David Villa at FCNYC have not translated into wins yet. And perhaps other teams in the West have taken steps back. The Galaxy lost a unique talent when Landon Donovon retired after last season. Real Salt Lake is struggling in its first year without coach Jason Kreis.
Sounders FC have gone to the playoffs every year of their existence, but 2014 was the first year they really had no glaring flaws. Goalie Stefan Frei has a 0.71 goals against average, with four shutouts so far. Marshall is a restrained giant, snuffing other teams’ offenses with perfect positioning and anticipation. Holding midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has been an all-star for four years running, and attacking midfielder Marco Pappa is an elegant passer.
The Sounders’ strengths were in evidence Sunday. Frei made a couple of fine saves, while Pappa filleted Portland’s defense with artful dinks and incisive through balls to Dempsey and Martins. The Timbers did well to recover several times in the box, because Dempsey and Martins have scored many a goal in the top European leagues, and their flashy technique is lethal.
Martins wowed soccer fans around the country and beyond last week by somehow trapping a long ball dead, then turning with it instantly and racing past two defenders before slotting home against the Rapids. On Sunday, he corralled balls in his vicinity a couple of times and made trademark juking runs at the Timbers defense. The whole crowd started to roar, sensing another highlight-reel goal in the making. “Here we go,” my neighbor in the stands said when Oba started dribbling toward the Portland penalty box at one point.
How will Oba bring peace to Africa? I sure don’t know. Fortunately, he’s paid to play soccer. As well as he’s performing that job, this really could be Seattle’s year.
