The Seattle Sounders lose 2-1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps thanks to two goals from former Sounder Fredy Montero.
In the first Cascadia match of the season, the Seattle Sounders traveled up I-5 to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps. Though Cascadia matches are always big, Sounders fans saw special meaning in this one as they were being reunited with their all-time leading goalscorer Fredy Montero who signed for the Whitecaps this past offseason. Montero didn’t hold anything back against his former club as he scored two goals against the Rave Green to help claim a 2-1 victory over Seattle. Here are three things Seattle can learn from this match:
The Final Product Needs to Improve
The Sounders did well with the ball in possession and if we look at the stats, one would assume that it was the Sounders who won, not Vancouver. But dominating possession, shots on target and corner kicks don’t give you a win as Vancouver went on to win 2-1. Seattle needs to be much more clinical in the final third.
Credit must be given to the Vancouver defense as well. Ousted had a handful of really nice saves, especially one against Dempsey in the 51st-minute and the backline came in big with a goal line clearance in the 95th-minute. But there were still multiple times where Seattle would be on the break or have a great opportunity but the final touch/pass just wasn’t there. Seattle will have to figure out a way to capitalize on games like this where they have the majority of opportunities if they are going to have a chance at defending their MLS Cup final.
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Backline Needs to Get Healthy
The Seattle Sounders needs to get their starting backline out there. There has yet to be a game where the four have been the first choice, mostly because of Brad Evans’ injury but also because of injuries/suspensions to Marshall and Torres. Joevin Jones has played every single minute of the 2017 season so far and has been one of Seattle’s best players. But without a strong centerback pairing it and a complimentary rightback, it will be hard for the Sounders to stop giving up goals.
We have seen Gustav Svensson play well at centerback filling in for Roman Torres when he has been injured/suspended, but he is not a starting centerback. In the past two games, Svensson has lost his marker, Wondolowski against San Jose and Montero on his first goal Saturday night, allowing teams to find the back of the net fairly easily. Sounders fans will hope for a healthy backline moving forward as Evans is set to return soon and Torres should be ready to play by next weekend.
Jordan Morris Needs Figure Out His Role
Jordan Morris, though he scored a goal against the New York Red Bulls, has very much been a nonfactor this season. After being so important to the Sounders in their deep MLS Cup run Morris can’t seem to figure out what his role is with the Sounders this season. With the exception of the match in Montreal and at home against the New York Red Bulls, Morris seems to be forgotten on the field.
In Saturday night’s match, Morris didn’t have a single shot against David Ousted and only had 30 touches on the ball with most of these touches being along the sideline, only two in the box. What made Morris so deadly last year was his ability to get behind the backline with his speed, something that we didn’t see at all against Vancouver. Head coach Brian Schmetzer needs to figure out a way to bring Morris back into games like these, bringing a different dimension to Seattle’s attack.
Next: When does the CONCACAF Champions League return next season?
Seattle will travel down to Carson City to take on the LA Galaxy next Sunday.