A club arrives, and a star is born

Talk about making an entrance.

Before a jam-packed park and a national audience, the Seattle Sounders announced their arrival with a band of resounding trumpets and horns, as they simply outshined Red Bull New York to the tune of 3-0.

A result that only the bravest of optimists could have forecasted, the Sounders growing pains last approximately twelve minutes.

Although New Yok initially took the role of aggressor, the home club wasted little time wetting its feel. After a fight for the ball at the top of the area, Sebastien Le Teoux deferred to a forgotten Fredy Montero on the right. The Colombian, calm as ever, took the feed and promptly snuck a shot under the grasp of Danny Cepero for the opening salvo.

It was a preview of coming attractions. For much of the night, the Sounders played above their expansion status. Brad Evans victimized Cepero with a resourceful nutmeg that squeeked though for the second goal of the match, giving Seattle an astounding two-goal lead in the first half.

Goalscoring was only a part of the story. For much of the match, the men in green displayed the acumen of an experienced, battle-tested side.

And the man responsible for that was none other than Sigi Schmid, the very manager who's led two separate clubs to postseason spoils. There was little doubt that the quality of the product on the pitch was due to the Schmid's reputation as a master of preparation.

Though New York barrelled though the Seattle backs on a pair of occasions after the hour, Kasey Keller, the local hero, showed rose to the occasion when needed.

The Red Bull pressure turned out to be a brief hiccup. The Sounders quickly rediscovered their form after Montero, the man of the match, pilfered the ball in the middle, aced toward goal, cooly finished cooly stroked it into the twine for the brace.

For the Seattle faithful, it was an unforgettable night. A comprehensive victory over a defending conference champion, and the birth of MLS's newest star, provided Sounders supporters with a night they'll never forget.