Depth Chart Update 4/27

by Dave Clark on Apr 27, 2010 6:54 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

SEATTLE - APRIL 17: Head coach Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC looks on during the game against the Kansas City Wizards on April 17, 2010 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Sounders defeated the Wizards 1-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

With 20% of the League season down, and because a few people requested it I decided to update the depth chart as I currently view Sigi's vision. This is if ALL players on the roster are healthy. It does take a bit of current form into account, as well as dreams of "how the guys should play together."

This should not be seen as gospel, but just based on the playing time in league matches, reserve games and accounting for a few statements about players. As a reminder, the post on formations, roles within formations are in the right sidebar. Generally here we refer to the formation that Sigi uses as the Arrow, or a modified 4-2-3-1.

Listed from top down are the Starters, Rotationals (not a large fall off and players that will get extensive playing time), Substitutes and Reserves. Centerback has two starters. Keeper only lists two. Several players could be listed as the 5,6,7th best at role, but I think four is a reasonable depth at which to end the discussion.

		Montero
		Jaqua
		Noonan
		Fucito

Zakuani		Ljungberg		Jaqua
Fucito		Montero		Ljungberg
Nyassi		Estrada		Noonan
Sturgis		Nyassi		Estrada

			Evans
	Alonso		Alonso
Gonzalez	Vagenas		Vagenas	Riley
Wahl	Ianni		Sturgis	Evans
Scott	Sturgis			Scott
Sturgis				Sturgis
		Hurtado - Marshall
		Ianni
		Graham
		Scott

		Keller
		Boss

Again, this is based on an assumption of full health and "ideal" playing styles. There is still experimentation concerning how to get the best out of the Freddyain and so if both play in a match they are unlikely to wind up stacked as the CF and WF, usually Ljungberg will go out right.

And of course formations and roles are fluid. The displays provided here are purely a graphical representation of typical positions. They are not absolutes.

Roger Levesque is an odd case. He's out of form, but you will expect him in the 18 every week. He'd be 5th on the list at CF, WF, RW and probably LW. He can fill on at CM and RB in a pinch even. His role flexibility and soccer IQ are great assetts, but he's off form, and there are faster more technical players that seem to have bumped him. The rash of injuries means that he will be in uniform, and have opportunities.

King and Montano are not on the chart either as I don't perceive either as being in the top four at any positions. King would be in the Evans role and at the Right Wing, whereas Montano would be a Right Wing or a WF.

The biggest area for debate, and the area that causes the Sounder at Heart tam the most trouble in guessing lineups is among the top right triangle of CF, WF and RW. So many players could fit into those roles, and so many have been injured, or out of form lately that Sigi is still experimenting.

Do you think anyone should be moved significantly up/down/sideways?

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Comments

Blaise Nkufo Factor

How do you see the arrival of Nkufo affecting the formation? Do you see him playing up top with Montero withdrawn and Ljunberg on the right? Or do you think we’ll ever end up going two up top?

by reesebw on Apr 27, 2010 7:18 PM PDT reply actions

That's two different questions really

1- How do I think Nkufo will be used?
That question is easy. He’ll be a traditional target forward. The Sounders fan base will moan about him not running enough. He will score goals. I don’t think that both Freddyain will be around then though. Montero will probably be gone, but if both are around then you would likely see Ljungberg on the right. Which I still think is backwards.

2- WIll the Sounders ever play a traditional 4-4-2 or 4-diamond-2?
Some could say that they play a 4-2-4, but they certainly use at least two players at the top at all times, its just that those players rotate between the band of three, and that Ljungberg in the GBS type role has a lot of freedom. Montero when there has less freedom, but that role is still a scoring position, and would usually be called a forward of some type.

Around the globe right now there is a movement away from 2 forwards. 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 seem to be the styles of choice, as players become more and more specialized into their roles/zones.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Apr 27, 2010 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

So you expect Montero to leave come transfer window?

by Derek R on Apr 27, 2010 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

It's probably a better than even chance

It really depends on what kinds of offers actually materialize then. If he gets a decent offer from a European league, even a fringe one like Russia, I think he would take it, especially if it’s from a team that’s playing in a European cup. That sort of exposure is unbeatable.

by CarlosT on Apr 27, 2010 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Will Nkufo take his spot?

Or will we look to bring in another guy up top for the transfer window should Montero leave?

by Derek R on Apr 27, 2010 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Adding a TF and losing a CF

Their styles are different, but positionally they’ll be in the same place or so.

I would expect Seattle to look to add talent in the summer window, but not because of anything that happens with Montero. Its just the right thing to do, and many other MLS sides will be adding players this season.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Apr 28, 2010 6:04 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you’re wrong about #1. Yup, there will be some fans who won’t like his work rate (isn’t there always?) but, by and large, I think most of that will be leavened by the fact that he will get on the end of a lot of dangerous situations and get good shots off. Many won’t go in. The difference here between him and, say, Montero, is you may wait an entire game for one Montero opportunity (with little inbetween), whereas N’Kufo will consistently be on the end of dangerous opportunities. In the end, their numbers would be about the same, but it’s all about perception, isn’t it?

by swansuite on Apr 28, 2010 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for the analysis!

Looks to be pretty sound. As for Hurtado and Marshall, do you see them splitting time there, or both starting together in some other configuration?

by SkycatF14 on Apr 28, 2010 12:47 AM PDT reply actions

In any lineup that Sigi uses there will be two Centerbacks

So they are co-listed.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Apr 28, 2010 6:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I would hope Sturgis is further up the depth chart

Honestly…Scott over Sturgis? Every time that guy plays, he’s money. I like Scott a lot, but I think Sturgis is a lot more solid, and has better “vision”. He kinda reminds me of a Vagenas in defense. Underrated, but able to keep things organized and tight.

by chrisperry1983 on Apr 28, 2010 9:32 AM PDT reply actions