Sporting KC: Remi Walter solid in midfield vs Sounders

On paper, Sunday night’s showdown between the two best teams in MLS, Sporting Kansas City and the Seattle Sounders, was supposed to be a great matchup deserving of national television. But with both sides missing so many key players, it was more of a test of depth.

Sporting got the better of the Sounders, winning by a final score of 3-1 at CenturyLink Field. That was Seattle’s first loss at home since September of last year. It was also the first time Seattle lost at home by multiple goals since June of 2016 when they lost 2-0 to New York City FC.

While SKC found three goals from Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi and Cameron Duke, it was a couple great saves from goalkeeper Tim Melia and a very well-organized defensive effort that kept Raul Ruidiaz and the Seattle Sounders out aside from a poor punch from Melia that led to Seattle’s lone goal in the 50th minute.

One of those key players that led to SKC’s relatively smooth sailing was midfielder Remi Walter.

Not starting the season quite as well as he would have hoped, the French midfielder has been huge for SKC in their last two matches. With Ilie’s time limited and Gianluca Busio away with the USMNT, Walter has stepped into the No. 6 position and excelled.

He was especially excellent against Seattle. He led the all starters with a 94.4 pass completion percentage and led the game with an 87.5 duel percentage.

Here is what Sporting manager Peter Vermes said:

"“This game he started out much more disciplined in staying in the middle of the park and playing as the No. 6.”SKC brought on Ilie in the 64th minute to protect a one-goal lead. That meant Ilie would play next to Walter with two defensive midfielders.“I thought he actually finished the game really really strong.”"

What does this mean for Sporting going forward?

Assuming Busio is sold and doesn’t play another game for Sporting KC this season, they still have a couple options. They can use Walter to start alone in the No. 6. They can revert back to how things used to be with Ilie in the No. 6. If they are chasing the game, they can also put Graham Zusi in at the No. 6, which seemed to work well against San Jose earlier in the week.

I think the obvious answer is to start Walter alone as the No. 6. As long as he keeps his fitness and continues to show his calmness and organization, he should be good for guiding Sporting through the rest of the season. He doesn’t have to be a great creative spark like Busio, but he can’t afford to give the ball away and get caught out of position.

With some great confidence under his belt, that position is Walter’s to lose. Be prepared to see Walter there for the rest of this season.