Frank Yallop's San Jose Earthquakes are a team defined by a ghost on offense and a simple defensive philosophy. They exist to stop shots and don't care about possession or passing advantages. So far, it's worked. On offense they ride the fortunes of Chris Wondolowski, it's also working. The Seattle Sounders will get to play their own style a bit tonight.
The possession approach that Sigi Schmid preaches should work well against a team willing to cede the center. Both Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso should even be able to get forward against a rather narrow conventional 4-4-2. The offense may very well ride on whether they and the attacking core of Alvaro Fernandez, Fredy Montero and David Estrada can complete their signature passing moves. Expect to see a bit more flair and dimensional passing as Seattle Sounders FC attempt to break down a compact two lines of four.
Prior to the match Sigi talked about the forward tandem of Wondo and Steve Lenhart. They complement each other as Lenhart gets in defenders heads distracting them from Wondo's presence.
He's [Chris Wondolowski] a dangerous player. He becomes more dangerous with the addition of a guy like Steven Lenhart, who I know fairly well. Lenhart is the kind of guy who creates space for whoever his partner is because he's a big, wide body. He throws his body around, gets involved in little niggling confrontations, balls popped free, and if you've got a good player next to him he's able to jump on those opportunities.
This Western Conference match counts a little extra in the standings as both sides are competing for the five playoffs spots. It is merely the tie breaker in the Heritage Cup for 2012 though.
The game is on KONG 6/16 & KIRO 97.3 FM (also KOMO2 & 99.3 ) at 7 PM Pacific.
Pre Match Build-up: Three Questions | Scouting Report | Lineup Card
Team Statistics Matchups
|
Team |
Duels |
Possession |
Pass Completion Advantage |
Shots +/- |
Sagarin |
|
Seattle |
52.0% |
48.4% |
-0.5 |
-1.3 |
2.69 |
|
San Jose |
47.3% |
47.8% |
-1.7 |
4.3 |
2.09 |
Compiled from Opta data for all available matches - Duels and possession are typical. Passing advantage is a plus/minus figure comparing the team's pass completion rate to the team it opposes. A 10 for Seattle would mean that it averages a 10 point advantage in passing over the opponent. Shot +/- is the team stat.
Tactical Keys
- Track Wondo
- Don't Fall Into Lenhart's Trap
- Montero Magic
- Effective Passing Within 20 Yards
Player Matchups
- Jhon Kennedy Hurtado v Chris Wondolowski
- Alvaro Fernandez v Ramiro Corrales
- Fredy Montero v Jon Busch
How We're Watching
Beverage: Brougham Bitter by Big Al's
Scarf: Nos Audietis 2012
Kit: "Casual" Pale Green
Where I'm Watching: Sec: 214, Row B/C. Seat 1,2,3
Nos Audietis In Somniis | Nos Audietis In Altum