'Selective pressure' has Sounders on top

After a weekend sweep in Canada in which the Sounders defeated Calgary and Vancouver by scores of 4-1, Schmetzer's squad is off to a scorching 7-0 start with 32 points, best in the A-League.

"We have a good soccer team," said Schmetzer, in his first season as head coach. "We have experience. We have speed, strength, height. We have good playmakers in the middle of the field, good goalkeeping. Down the list, the whole roster -- and certainly the starting 11 -- is filled with what I would call good soccer players.

"That is the number one reason for our success," he said.

Last season the Sounders finished 13-12-1 and failed to make the postseason for the first time since 1994.

But Schmetzer's strategy of "selective pressure" is paying off for the 2002 Sounders.

"We have devised the system of selective pressure and the players have bought in to the concept. When you have 11 people believing in the same thing, you get good results," Schmetzer said of the concept that applies team offense defensively.

"You can put that system with any team. I've gone six or seven men past the starting 11 and they all come in and do it. It's not like it's just fit for one team -- if the players get plugged into it, then any team can do it and be successful," he said.

The Sounders found difficulty scoring goals last season. Schmetzer's selective pressure has solved that problem.

The United Soccer Leagues named forward Darren Sawatsky and midfielder Leighton O'Brien A-League players of the week yesterday. Sawatsky scored four goals, while O'Brien tallied one goal and three assists in the Sounders' weekend victories.

Sawatsky leads the team with seven goals and 16 points. O'Brien has a pair of goals and 10 points.

"They have players up front who don't need a lot of chances. They put it away," Calgary coach Thomas Niendorf said after Sunday's game.

With the Sounders blistering opponents for 21 goals, Seattle's defense has been surprisingly stringent, allowing just five goals, three of which came on penalty kicks.

"You look at our defense, starting with (goalkeeper) Preston Burpo and they have only allowed two goals in regular game action," Schmetzer said. "That is a very, very good record for them to hang their hats on."

Defender Scott Jenkins, who also earned A-League Player of the Week honors yesterday, stood out in the weekend victories.

With such impressive talent on the field, Schmetzer said the team's resolve has been equally impressive throughout the team's win streak.

Seattle scored a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory May 19 against Vancouver when rookie Zach Kingsley headed in the game-winner.

"(The team's resolve) is building as the season progresses. That overtime game was a good start, especially for a young kid like Zach. It gave some of the older players confidence in the younger players," Schmetzer said.

Kingsley, a graduate of the University of Washington, is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with Brian Ching. Each has four points.

The Sounders open a three-game road trip June 8 at Calgary and visit the Cincinnati Riverhawks and Indiana Blast on June 14 and 15, respectively, before returning to Memorial Stadium for a June 22 home game against the Hampton Roads Mariners.

P-I reporter Molly Yanity can be reached at 206-448-8295 or mollyyanity@seattlepi.com