Tonight's 4:30PM Pacific match between the Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution offers Sigi Schmid's side the opportunity to end their poor seven game MLS run. It is also the potential MLS return for fullbacks Leo Gonzalez and Adam Johansson. There is the small complication of Fredy Montero missing the match due to his Red Card in the Timbers match. There are lineup questions on both sides, though Seattle's are bigger. For the Revs the questions are who starts at the second forward and at right back. For the Sounders how they compensate for the lack of Montero, the midweek game and who is healthy create more questions.
With New England's strong midfield there will be more pressure on Osvaldo Alonso than typical. His partner in that slightly more advanced role will need to work to slow down a patient, strong control attack against them. Seattle can compensate by being a bit more effective in the attack. To do this pressure from the flanks should be used. That will limit the short passing options at which the Revolution excel.
There are also opportunities for Seattle from dead ball situations. New England is soft on these, particularly against indirect free kicks. The Sounders are a decent team in those same situations. Service will be key. Whether Fernandez, Rosales or Caskey takes the kicks, they must be more accurate than recent and instead capitalize in ways the team did in 2011. This may also mean that Sammy Ochoa gets a start. He's a decent target and poacher, this is a match where his skills could make sense.
No matter who starts, nor how they are used, Seattle fans need to see an end to a 0-4-3 MLS run. Justifications based on a tough stretch of games while rational don't fuel passion. With only one MLS home game in the next month it doesn't get easier. In order to bypass the play-in round the Sounders need to earn points again.
The broadcast is on KONG and 97.3 FM (KOMO2 & 99.3 in Spanish) at 4:30 PM Pacific.
Pre Match Build-up: Three Questions | Scouting Report | Start Cato | Team Notes (pdf) | Tickets for Home Games
Referee Team
REFEREE: Edvin Jurisevic. SAR (bench): Anthony Vasoli; JAR (opposite): James Conlee; 4th: Jose Carlos Rivero
MLS Career: 44 games; FC/gm: 22.3; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 4; pens: 5
Team Statistics Matchups
|
Team |
Shots +/- |
Run of Play |
Dead Ball |
Net Strike Rate |
Net On Frame |
|
Seattle |
3.6 |
0 |
1 |
-1.2% |
0.9% |
|
Revs |
-0.5 |
4 |
-6 |
0.4% |
13.5% |
Tactical Keys
- Use Flanks To Attack
- Quick Counters
- Dead Ball Effectiveness
- Beware The Interchange
Player Matchups
- Brad Evans v Shalrie Joseph/Counter
- Osvaldo Alonso v Benny Feihaber
- Alvaro Fernandez v replacement right back
How We're Watching
Beverage: Old Chub Scotch Ale by Oskar Blues
Scarf: 2012 Nos Audietis/Sounder at Heart (these are still available if you don't have one)
Kit: Rave Green 09
Where I'm Watching: Mystery Location
Nos Audietis In Somniis | Nos Audietis In Altum