Last week it was Fredy Montero who nabbed the spotlight, leading Sounders FC to a 3-0 win over New York in the inaugural match, but this week, all eyes were on Freddie Ljungberg, who made his Seattle debut in the 61st minute in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Over 28,000 Sounders FC fans and supporters once again packed Qwest Field, creating the second sellout in as many games. The Supporters groups in the south stands once again set the tone for the entire stadium, with their flags, banners, chants and songs filling the air.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 400mm,  ISO 3200, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

After team emerged from the tunnel for the start of the match, goalkeeper Kasey Keller gathered his teammates in a circle and then implored them to “PROTECT OUR HOUSE!”

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Seattle’s starting lineup was nearly the same as in the opener but with Sanna Nyassi injured, rookie Steve Zakuani started in his place.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mmf/2.8 lens @ 70mm, ISO 1600, 1/500th sec.,f4.0)

Zakuani made is presence known almost immediately, making a deft move with the ball down the left side before crossing it to Nate Jaqua in the 17th minute for the game’s first goal.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 200mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

I was shooting about 10 yards up the sideline from the endline, and Zakuani was actually between me and Jaqua when the goal was scored, so I was blocked from having a clean photo of the actual shot. But Jaqua ran towards me and leaped on top of teammates in celebration.

This shot is a little tight, as I’m shooting with the Nikon VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens. I had three bodies and because of the threat of rain, I didn’t want to mess around switching lenses. So my kit comprised of a D3 with a VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender (550mm/f4.0), a D3 with the VR 200-400mm f/4.0 lens (which I raved about in the entry from last week’s game)
and a D3 with the Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens. I’d rather carry the 24-70mm than the 700-200mm, because I think if players run towards me and I can get them into the foreground of the frame, the wide-angle image is infinitely more dramatic.

Having a lens that’s near 600mm (either the VR 600mm/f4.0 lens or the combo of the VR 400mm/f.8 + extender) allows me to be on one end of the field and still have a reasonable (yet not quite optimal) chance of shooting the other goal as well. As the field is roughly 120 yards long, it’s quite a throw.

But it can pay off, as I found when goalkeeper Kasey Keller, the local hero from Olympia, Washington, came out of his net to make a save high in the air on a corner kick.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender, ISO 3200, 1/640th sec.,f4.0)

Keller was stellar once again, with five saves and another shutout. For his efforts and his “clean sheet” (soccer slang for a shutout — see how much I’m learning?), he was named “Man of the Match”.

Jaqua, who I found out has especially great games against Real Salt Lake (six goals in his last six games against RLS), was a force in the first half, using his size and strength on balls in the air over the middle.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 330mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

In the 61st minutes, Sounders fans got what they’d been waiting for since his announced signing, as Freddie Ljungberg took to the XBOX 360 pitch for the first time. Ljungberg acknowledged the standing ovation for him as he entered the field.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender,  ISO 3200, 1/640th sec.,f4.0)

Head coach Sigi Schmid remarked after the game that he thought Ljungberg’s ball control skills would help as Real Salt Lake dominated the ball in the second half as they looked desperately to tie the match.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender,  ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

Ljungberg’s surgically repaired hip was put to the test early and often, as when he was taken down by Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender,  ISO 3200, 1/640th sec.,f4.0)

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender,  ISO 3200, 1/640th sec.,f4.0)

Freddy Montero scored his third goal of the season in the 77th minute, firing a rocket from outside of the box. It was an incredible goal on a high-risk shot. Replays show that Ljungberg was wide open if Montero would have put a through-ball to him, but the shot paid off for a 2-0 lead.

(Nikon D3, VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 260mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

After the final whistle, Montero acknowledged the standing ovation.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 32mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Keller, who had before the game implored his teammates “protect our house” during a pregame huddle, led his teammates in a linked-hands show of thanks to the fans.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Ljungberg, who traded jerseys with one of the Salt Lake players, gave a thumbs up to the fans as he headed off the pitch.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 28mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Sounders fans now have to wait until April 11 for the next home match, but one doubts the fever will subside before then.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 32mm, ISO 1600, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)