Tonight's Community Shield game isn't about beating Jaguares de Chiapas (3-5-0 in Clausura 2012, 12th in league). Instead it's sole purpose is preparing to beat Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League. It also has the advantage of being free for the thousands that will welcome Seattle Sounders FC back home to open their packed 2012.
For Sigi Schmid, and fans, this is an opportunity to see how the new additions to the line-up play in front of a crowd and against a different style than their past experience holds. Three expected regulars are from secondary (or lower) European leagues. For Michael Gspurning, Adam Johansson and Christian Sivebaek, tonight is their introduction to the Seattle faithful. Third year player David Estrada faces a different task. After the recent changes, he enters the year as Fredy Montero's probable partner. Judging Estrada's talent based off of last year would ignore that he is now being used as a forward, a position he dabbled in during Reserve play in 2012.
Seattle will likely play a little less direct, a bit more technical than 2012. Possessions will incorporate the defensive line to either reset the play on that side or swing the ball to the opposite side of the field. While later in the year target forward style play will emerge, the team starts with two more technical forwards paired up top. There should also be some interesting interchanges tonight.
The game is on KONG 6/16/106 with a hybrid of season preview and some play-by-play. SoundersFC.com will have an audio stream (not Fletcher/Keller) at 7PM.
Yes, those are twitter handles on the Jaguares players' kits
Expected Lineup for Seattle
Estrada Montero Fernandez Rosales Evans Gonzalez Alonso Johansson Hurtado Parke Gspurning
What To Watch For
- Utilization of greater space/slow closing by Mexican side
- Preventing and reacting to the counter
- Unique use of space by Osvaldo Alonso and Alvaro Fernandez
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Who is Estrada 2.0?
How We're Watching
Beverage: Redhook's No Equal Amber Lager - malt and caramel nose, some malt flavor, mild hop bitterness, light body. Release party March 2nd.
Scarf: Nos Audietis 2012
Kit: Rave Green 2009
Where: Home