Seattle Sounder v FC Dallas US Open Cup Semifinal Interactive Lineup Cards

In our continued efforts to give you a better product here's another match with the new www.tableausoftware.com powered match day quick reference cards. Not every change that was suggested has been implemented yet. There was a major change though. All changes were done by Dave Clark, after getting a quick lesson from the Sounders fan that started us on this path. So please use comments to give us feedback on the presentation as well as the ideas for the lineups.

For the Seattle Sounders we anticipate a surprise at forward. Our guess is Nate Jaqua mainly due to his success at Starfire and in the US Open Cup. The reigning Player of the Cup can take advantage of the size of the pitch and seems to thrive in that environment. Of course we have slotted Mike Fucito as his partner. The two have a strong connection, and since Fucito excels in non-MLS play it would make sense for him to start. This does leave Fredy Montero as a threatening bench weapon, which Sigi Schmid has done in the past.

The crowded midfield leaves Coach Schmid with difficult choices, particularly since Brad Evans is back. We anticipate that the center mid returns to play. He's more physical than Friberg, a slightly better short passer and offers a strong option on set-plays. The options at wide mid mean that a powerful offensive force will be left out. The guess is Lamar Neagle starts on the bench with MVP candidate Mauro Rosales on the right and dangerous aerial player Alvaro Fernandez on the left.

Honey Badger Osvaldo Alonso will of course lead the defense, almost certainly to be a central pairing of Jeff Parke and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado with Zach Scott on Brek Shea shutdown duty. As usual the question is who starts on the left. Tyson Wahl provides both physicallity in dead ball situations defensively and strong service so we anticipate his start. Kasey Keller will be in goal, as the Puerto Rican National Team has taken Terry Boss away.

The FC Dallas lineup was put forward by Daniel over at www.BigDSoccer.com. And while the starting lineup is compliant with the 5 non-American rule, Schellas Hyndman may have a very short bench. But, like Seattle, the Toros do not play this weekend, and so one should expect them to push hard. Jeremy Hall would seem to be the choice at right back with Zach Loyd now out, but the danger comes from Brek Shea and always from Shea. Dallas also returns to a full strength centerback pairing of George John and Ugo Ihemelu.