Summer doesn't start in Seattle until July 5th. That little bit of conventional wisdom is being challenged with one of the nicest Fourth of July's we've had since SeaTac opened. For the Seattle Sounders their second half of the season, the part with more trophies available (1 first half, 3 second half) starts today with their 7 PM match against Real Salt Lake. Though they have the best first half record of their young MLS life, recent results have changed the importance of a quick start to their stretch run.
Standing in their way is one of the non-regional nemeses of the Sounders. Salt Lake was awarded a team over Seattle. They won their only MLS Cup here. They went further in the CONCACAF Champions League. While Seattle can't compete over its three plus years with the LA Galaxy, RSL is a team most like the Sounders in the weight of their accomplishments. Preseason polls of MLS managers had RSL as the only team more attractive in their play than Sigi Schmid's side.
This is a perfect match to declare a streak over. The opponent is high quality. The presentation is on KING rather than KONG. It is game 18 of 34. Jason Kreis' side is also vulverable. They've struggled recently. It's time to watch a win for one set of fans or the other.
The broadcast is on KING and 97.3 FM (KOMO2 & 99.3 in Spanish) at 7:00 PM Pacific
Pre Match Build-up: Three Questions | Scouting Report | Team Notes (pdf) | Tickets for Home Games
Officials
REFEREE: Hilario Grajeda. SAR (bench): Paul Scott; JAR (opposite): Bill Dittmar; 4th: Mark Declouet
MLS Career: 68 games; FC/gm: 24.5; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 14; pens: 11
Team Statistics Matchups
|
Team |
Shots +/- |
Run of Play |
Dead Ball |
Net Strike Rate |
Net On Frame |
|
Seattle |
3.1 |
0 |
1 |
-1.1% |
1.0% |
|
RSL |
1.2 |
4 |
-1 |
1.7% |
2.1% |
Tactical Keys
- Match The Patient Play
- Backline Communication
- Dead Ball Effectiveness
- Feed Eddie
Player Matchups
- Servando Carrasco v Javier Morales
- Eddie Johnson v Nick Rimando
- Fredy Montero v Kyle Beckerman
How We're Watching
Beverage: Bitter American by 21st Amendment
Scarf: 2012 Nos Audietis/Sounder at Heart
Kit: 2010 USA
Where I'm Watching: SonarRiley's Home
Nos Audietis In Somniis | Nos Audietis In Altum