Another critical test awaits the Seattle Sounders as they prepare to tackle a Sporting Kansas City team arriving with renewed confidence and impetus.
SKC enters this clash on the back of a convincing 2-0 road victory vs. Houston Dynamo and with plenty of momentum after winning two of their previous three matches, a run that also includes a statement triumph over LAFC. Although they’ve only won two of their last 10 games overall, their recent upturn in form will certainly have caught the Sounders’ attention.
No player has been more influential in that resurgence than new signing André Luiz, who will be pivotal if Sporting are to maintain this improved form.
Luiz's impact since landing in Kansas City has been nothing short of electric, as the club's record acquisition has hit the ground running, rapidly injecting a level of excitement, unpredictability, energy, and quality that has transformed Sporting's attack. With four goals and an assist in just 356 MLS minutes, the Brazilian Designated Player is already looking capable of justifying the hefty $18 million investment made to secure his services.
“He is a good guy. He has integrated very quickly with the team,” explained SKC coach Raphaël Wicky. “He is a person who enjoys, smiles, and laughs a lot. So I am very happy with him.”
What stands out most is his ability to create something out of nothing from his nominal right-wing berth. Blessed with a mesmerizing blend of speed, athleticism, physicality, and technical prowess, Luiz is a constant nuisance who can wreak havoc in an instant. Rave Green left back Nouhou will unquestionably have to be on top of his game, and have solid support nearby, if the Sounders are to have any hope of nullifying the 24-year-old.
Defenders haven’t enjoyed facing him in isolation, at all. His explosive acceleration, sharp changes of pace and direction, whirring feints, and array of skill moves make him one of the league's most fearsome operators. Agile, able to turn on a dime and brimming with the swagger and fearlessness to take on any challenger, he can beat opponents on either side and in basically any scenario before bursting into space.
"That's why we bought him, right?" insisted Wicky following the tremendous LAFC result.
"From the first moment he trained with us, you could see his quality, his individual quality, his change of pace, his (one-on-one ability). What he showed today, here, he showed from the first day."
His threat is not solely confined to dribbling; Luiz's movement is similarly effective. While he often starts from wide positions, he regularly drifts into central zones to get dangerous between the lines and in the half spaces, where his capacity to receive forward-facing on the half turn and drive at the heart of backlines becomes seriously damaging.
Moreover, his clever movement not only allows him to locate crucial pockets of space but also sees him consistently open passing lanes to benefit colleagues around him. By drifting infield or deeper and wider, which draws markers with him, he regularly generates sizable corridors for teammates to be pinpointed centrally and for underlapping or overlapping runs from right back Justin Reynolds to elevate his team's output while forcing trackers into uncomfortable decisions. There were several examples against Houston where Luiz's positioning opened substantial room for Reynolds to exploit, as this underlined how his influence extends far beyond his most noticeable contributions.
In transition, he’s arguably at his most devastating. Give Luiz time and space to attack a retreating defense, and he’s a menace on the counter, just like the Philadelphia Union found out recently. Indeed, his directness, pace, finishing, and willingness to maraud at adversaries make him a nightmare to stop in such sequences.
His opening goal against Houston last weekend offered an extra reminder of his class, as, after intelligently getting free inside the box, he rifled an emphatic finish past Jonathan Bond to continue his outstanding start in MLS.
What's more, the assist he provided was just as striking, featuring a wicked carry to gain separation before chopping back onto his favored left foot to beat Lucas Halter and supply Calvin Harris with the final ball.
Even though the former Flamengo, Rio Ave, and Olympiacos flyer's ambition can occasionally lead to overzealous actions or slightly loose touches, those flaws are outweighed by the positive effects associated with his fierce attacking mentality.
Frequently looking to take responsibility, searching for ways to hurt opponents, and never one to shy away from attempting expansive plays, this, combined with his power and strength, which allow him to shield possession, outmuscle defenders, impose himself physically, and win valuable fouls in advantageous areas, all indicate SKC have snapped up a genuine game-changer.
The numbers behind Luiz's early MLS success are every bit as impressive as the eye test. Aside from averaging 1.01 goal involvements per 90, he's also racking up 4.8 shots per 90, while he ranks first among MLS midfielders and wide players for offensive duels per 90 (17.19), dribbles per 90 (7.58), and progressive runs per 90 (5.56). Also notable is the efficiency with which he operates, winning 60.3% of his offensive duels and completing 73.3% of his dribbles. These figures underline why opponents have found him so difficult to contain and why he’s emerged as such a dangerous weapon.
With Luiz in scintillating form and quickly establishing himself as Sporting's focal point, the Sounders face the daunting challenge of keeping the Brazilian quiet.
If Seattle can limit his opportunities, they'll go a long way towards controlling the contest. But given the sensational start the big money man has made to life in MLS, preventing him from producing another match-defining performance will be far easier said than done.
All statistics sourced from Wyscout
