Seattle Sounders FC Trounce Overly Optimistic FC Dallas 5-0

Seattle Sounders Send Clear Message to FC Dallas: Start Your Star Players or Get Thrashed

It was a rare and unexpected delight for Seattle Sounders fans on Wednesday, July 13th. A red card and a penalty opened up a solid and much needed route of FC Dallas, the final score being 5-0. The younger players shined, holding to the game plan and sticking it to FC Dallas, who sent in what could be considered their B team against the struggling Sounders. The Sounders were grateful for the opportunity to get back on chance, and will look to build on the 5-0 victory leading into the rivalry match this weekend against the Portland Timbers.

Line-ups:

Seattle, utilizing their 4-3-3 formation, fielded a mix of young players and veteran stars in last nights win. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei lead the defensive line, consisting of Joevin Jones (LB), Chad Marshall (CB), Brad Evans (CB), and Oniel Fisher (RB). The midfield was led by Ozzie Alonso (RM), with Cristian Roldan (CM), and Erik Friberg (LM). The main attack consisted of Jordan Morris, Clint Dempsey, and Andereas Ivanschitz.

FC Dallas focused on their less-seen players, with a 4-2-3-1. Chris Seitz was in between the pipes, defended by Aubrey David (LB), Maynor Figueroa (CB), Walker Zimmerman (CB), and Atiba Harris (RB).  In the midfield Dallas started Victor Ulloa (CDM), Juan Esteban Ortiz (CDM), Tesho Akindele (LM), Carlos Lizarazo (CM), and Ryan Holingshead (RM). The primary striker was Collin Bonner.

Both Aubrey David and Colin Bonner made their Major League Soccer debut last night.

First Half:

The first half started with a bang, a red card and a penalty kick. In the 4′, Jones had sent in a

dangerous ball from the outside of the box, forcing Seitz to make an awkward parry. It fell to the feet of Ivanschitz, who sent a rocket towards goal. Dallas defender Maynor Figeuroa stuck a hand out and turned it away from goal. Referee Ricardo Salazar took a long couple of seconds before pointing to the spot, then pulling a red for Figeuroa. Dempsey finished from the spot with ease, sending the ball into the roof of the net. The Sounders weren’t finished scoring yet, not by a long margin. In the 18′, Ivanschitz made a run up the center. Battling off a defender, Ivanschitz showed his veteran skills and vision. Noting the keeper had come off his line, he took a brilliant left footed chip. The ball sailed high over FC Dallas’ keeper and into the back of the net to double the lead for SSFC. The Sounders, seemingly intent on punishing FC Dallas for underestimating them, pulled even further ahead as Dempsey received a pass from Ozzie Alonso, and then provided a great ball for Morris to collect on the right side of the box. Morris looked cool and professional as he powered the shot past the FC Dallas defense and keeper, making it 3-0 in the 22′. That was the last goal of the first half, but not the last bit of action. In the 32′ FC Dallas midfielder Juan Ortiz came in forcefully on Clint Dempsey, who apparently had enough of Ortiz and his aggressive play. Rocking back a bit from the shoulder check, Dempsey’s right hand came up and smacked Ortiz on the face. After a moment of discussion with the AR, Salazar awarded Ortiz a yellow and Dempsey with the straight red. Dempsey will now miss the next match in Portland versus the Timbers.

Related Story: Sounders Cannot Find a Goal with 22 Shots

Second Half:

Seattle wanted more goals going into the second half, and kept the pressure on the crumbing Dallas side. In the 61′, Aaron Kovar, who had come on at the beginning of the half for Erik

Friberg, took a brilliant touch and turn on the right sideline. He sent a short pass to Oniel Fisher, who had massive space and time to find Joevin Jones. Jones gathered the ball on the left side of the 18 yard mark, sent a rocket that took a slight deflection off a Dallas defender, and then went careening into the back of the net. In the 73′, Ivanschitz stood over a freekick from about 10 yards out of the 18 yard box. Ivanschitz sent in a beautiful crossing ball, which Cristian Roldan leaped high to nod it down into goal, making it 5-0 to the Sounders. This was Roldan’s first career goal. That finished the FC Dallas side, who had looked to be chasing the match for the entire 90′.

Statistics (SEA/FCD):

Corners: 6 / 1

Offsides: 2 / 0

Saves: 0 / 2

Fouls: 6 / 13

Possession: 62% / 38%

Shots: 12(7) / 2(0)

Discipline:

Maynor Figueroa, red card, DOGSO, 4′

Juan Esteban Ortiz, yellow card, dangerous play, 33′

Clint Dempsey, red card, hands to the face, 33′

must read: Sounders Targeting Oscar Romero

Hot Take:

This was a vital win for Seattle, who have been struggling for the entire season. Yes, FC Dallas fielded a very vulnerable side, but a 5-0 victory demonstrates a level of success that the Sounders have been missing for quite sometime. Most likely a full strength Dallas side would’ve wrecked the Sounders, but five separate players got reminded how good it feels to score goals, and can build off that momentum in Portland this Sunday. It will be interesting to see how the Sounders fair in the next several matches, as Portland is always a tiring derby for Seattle. The Sounders will also play the L.A. Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup quarter finals on July 20th.