Spurs in Seattle

Article by e-Spurs' Nathan Durec in Seattle @ndurec

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Being a Canadian at pretty much the most extreme west side of the country as one can be from, I am a Spurs fan who has never had the pleasure of seeing the club I love in person. It’s a bit of a commute. Instead, I sit in from of my TV at home or in the pub to catch every match. Yet, on this past Saturday, I finally got to fulfill a dream: I saw the Spurs take to the pitch at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, a step across the Canadian-American border from my home in Vancouver.

It helps to have a very understanding wife. This weekend coincided with our 3rd wedding anniversary. It wasn’t even a question to her that we would be making the trip. I grabbed the tickets, while she figured out the trip and accommodations. She may not be the biggest football fan in the world, but she’s seen enough matches to know the rules, comment on play, and have an affinity for the clubs I love, namely the Spurs and my local Vancouver Whitecaps.

Now, Seattle and Vancouver share a good rivalry in MLS and these matches always see a good contingent of travelling fans either way. True to form, we met many Canadian Spurs fans that had made the trip. On the train to the stadium, I had the fortune to sit beside an elderly couple who had made the trip from London, coming to see each of the club’s MLS-featuring matches in Seattle, Toronto, and Chicago. He had been to his first match at White Hart Lane in 1958, when he was 8 years old. He’s been to every home match—and I bet more than a few away matches—ever since.

The match itself was good-natured for all. Seattle were great hosts, with a small set of over a 1,000 world-travelled Spurs fans taking up a corner of the 55,000+ attendance. There were only a few starters in the Spurs lineup, which Pochettino placed into a 4-2-3-1.

It was Spurs who hit first, with Lewis Holtby getting his head onto a solid cross from Harry Kane in the box in the 11th minute. Holtby was able to find himself in space a few times, making an early case to remain with the side for this season. The other standout in the first half was, surprisingly, Michael Dawson. While it’s readily apparent that the speed just is not there anymore, the mental fitness is. He was able to limit his need for pace because of his ability to read the play and be in position. Unfortunately, when you’re in a club with its share of slower centre-backs and you’re the oldest of the lot, well…farewell to a diligent Tottenham player. It’s likely just a matter of time.

The second half began at 1-1, but early goals for both sides came early. Spurs equalised to 2-2 in the 55th minute with a penalty awarded justly for Roberto Soldado. Soldado converted from the spot efficiently.

Seattle took the lead late in the match due to some back line confusion on the Spurs. With a back four that hasn’t played much competitively together, it was half time substitution, Milos Veljkovic who lost his man and led to the goal.

Spurs had to rely on another penalty in the 81st minute for a handball. This time, it was Yago Falqué who stepped up to the spot. The Sounders goalkeeper got a hand to it, but there was enough power on the shot to send it in for the tie.

While there were goals aplenty in the second half, it was young Cristian Ceballos, who came on for the final 45 minutes, who stood out. He was dominant on the ball, found himself in space to attack on numerous occasions, and was a pest to the Sounders’ defence the entire half. In all, a 3-3- final was an appropriate end to the match. Both sides had control for periods; however, the reliance on penalties is something that will hopefully not need to continue.

I left my first Spurs match, sunburned but happy, and hoping that one day I get to make the pilgrimage to White Hart Lane and see them play with the rest of you.

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