Sounders’ emphasis on fitness has made big difference

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Friday, April 18, 2014 10:47pm
  • SportsSports

CARSON, CALIF. — Anyone planning to watch the Seattle Sounders’ match at Chivas USA on Saturday might want to stick around until the final whistle.

The Sounders have played six games this Major League Soccer season, and in four of them a result-changing goal has been scored in the 85th minute or later.

The trend began with the season opener, when Chad Barrett made Seattle a winner in stoppage time. And it has continued over the past three games: with Columbus scoring in stoppage time for a 2-1 win; at Portland, where Seattle’s Clint Dempsey got the final two goals of a 4-4 draw in the 85th and 87th minutes; and then again last weekend at Dallas, where Seattle’s 3-2 victory clicked into place with a Dempsey goal in the 85th minute.

What’s going on here?

“Physically at that point people start to get tired, and so mistakes happen,” coach Sigi Schmid said. “But it’s also a little bit of a tribute to … our persistence that we’re going to play through the end of the game. We’re not going to stop playing at 90 or at 88. It’s a reflection of good character for us. But it’s also a reflection that our fitness is pretty good and we’re able to maintain our concentration late — for the most part: Columbus, being the exception.”

The man who specializes in keeping the Sounders’ physically fit enough for those late-game heroics is David Tenney, who has taken on the new title of “sports science and performance manager” after spending the previous five seasons as fitness coach.

Even the fittest of players will feel the effects of a long soccer match. However, Tenney was asked why those effects seem to benefit offense more than defense.

“As guys start to have a little bit of fatigue … there’s not as good a pressure on the ball,” he said. “The back lines don’t push up as much, and then that actually makes it more of a running game because there’s more space to run in.”

Tenney can actually quantify this happening.

Saturday in Dallas, for example, he found that players on the two teams ran a combined 47 kilometers in the first half, but increased that to a combined 52 kilometers in the second.

“That was an interesting stat because it means that the game opened up,” he said. “There was fatigue, but there are some players out there who are running a lot more in the second half than they were running in the first half.”

As his new title indicates, Tenney knows physiology. However, he also knows soccer, having played in Europe and the domestic Continental Indoor Soccer League through most of the 1990s.

And he believes the uptick in late goals also indicates an uptick in the quality of MLS strikers, who are punishing defensive mistakes in ways that didn’t happen previously.

“Is it style of play, is it fatigue? I think it also includes the quality of the league as well,” he said. “It says something that now that these games are open people are actually scoring a lot of goals at the end where maybe in years past you didn’t see as many goals.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.