In-Form Seattle Sounders Look to Take Three Points
Last week I wrote a piece that predicted a strong victory by the Seattle Sounders over Orlando City SC. Thankfully, the Sounders did not disappoint. In a season that has been more downs than ups, it was a relief to see a team that not only looked like their former solid selves, but also seemed
Sounders Nation
to have a good time taking it to Orlando City. For the Seattle Sounders to continue on this path of success, and even (dare I say?!) make a potential play-off run, they will have to move on to a much tougher opponent: Real Salt Lake.
Seattle came off the victor in their last meeting. In a U.S. Open Cup battle that went all the way to penalty kicks, goalkeeper Tyler Miller proved too strong in the net for RSL, helping the Seattle Sounders slide on to the next stage. Real Salt Lake will undoubtedly bring a different side to this regular MLS season match-up, hoping to deny the strengthened Seattle side any points.
Keys to a Seattle Sounders Victory
As I have gleefully been watching in the last two matches, new signing Nicolás Lodeiro continues to gel fantastically in the midfield for SSFC. This will be his third match with the squad, and it will
“Equally important for Mears is for him to try to read the attack while cooperating with the rest of the Seattle back line.”
come as no surprise to see the same quality of play he has demonstrated already, if not more so. With this new addition, the chemistry between the midfield and attacking players has begun to shine once more. From there the technical aspect of the Seattle Sounders will continue to show. Last match Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris were seemingly infallible in their attack, playing off of each other marvelously. Much of the attack was again generated by Lodeiro’s presence in the midfield. But the Seattle Sounders cannot only rely on their attack if they hope to win the match.
Defensively, they continue to be spotty. Chad Marshall has been his usual veteran self, making smart clearances and minimizing mistakes. In the lone goal scored against Seattle last week, Brad Evans was the man missing his mark. Evans, essentially a substitute center defender, will undoubtedly be looking to solidify his defensive presence in the upcoming clash against RSL. Sounders right back Tyrone Mears managed to mix himself into the attack last week, and while he earned an assist for his efforts, will still need to stay tight on his mark. Equally important is for Mears to try to read the attack while cooperating with the rest of the Seattle back line. Mears has been caught keeping attacking players onside, but will hopefully be fully tuned into the back line for RSL.
Possible Scenarios
If the last two matches for the Seattle Sounders are any indicator, I absolutely expect a victory. It will be a physical affair, but Seattle can earn the points if they play smart defensively and win the secondary balls in the midfield. Álváro Fernández will most likely be looking to have an
impact on the match, as he just barely got his feet wet these past two weeks. RSL are not to be taken lightly, though. They have rightfully earned a top spot in the conference.
Real Salt Lake’s record tells the Seattle Sounders side something vital: they are defensively vulnerable. Tied for the second most goals allowed in the Western Conference, they make up for it in their offensive prowess. Seattle has recently demonstrated a refreshed will in their attack, and can absolutely exploit RSL. But it isn’t all about that attack. Ultimately, it will be how the Seattle defense performs that decides this match.