Excitement building as Sounders come to town; tactical match preview

Today, the final day we're likely to see our boys at home, is the day of the all-important playoff match that could very well define our season. The build-up is finally coming to a head, and if we're to be honest, this side is considerably more encouraging than they were even a week ago.

Sure, we went six matches without a win in the league, and sure, at times, we've been miserable on the pitch. But no matter how battle-damaged our troops have been, they're still kicking. There's a real buzz going about right now, and if it's not some mysterious zombie-apocalypse disease, then there's only one thing it can be: Hope. Well, and some other things, including confidence, revitalization, you know — those other things. But that's not much my point. (Or is it?) Anyhow, there's a real nebulous spirit going about right now, and while I'm sure there's some French term for it, I don't know it. (They've got a term for everything, you know.)

Point is, we're real excited out here in good ol' Utah, and that's because we've got a genuine chance at succeeding in this leg, a genuine chance at succeeding in the away leg — and that's as far as we need to think right now. Once we hit that point, we can start dreaming a little bit, but we all know we've got to focus against this strong Sounders side.

Well, Tactically Speaking...

As always, we need our play to build from the back, but there's nothing too controversial about the way we need to play. It's worth noting that, as Jason Kreis pointed out, Seattle is a good side in the transition from defense, and that means we'll need our full backs to be acutely aware of movement up top and on the wings. For Chris Wingert, that means greater concentration and a bit less bombing forward with the ball. For Robbie Russell — who I expect to start on the right, and perhaps we'll get a glimpse of Tony Beltran late on if he's fit enough to make the bench — he'll likely need to tuck in a bit closer to Jamison Olave, drop deeper, and temper his runs.

In the center, Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave will need to communicate with their respective fullbacks and avoid getting caught out by balls over the top. It'll be tempting to play a higher line, especially with Kyle Beckerman back to drop into a third center back role when we're putting the pressure on, but we'll need to be careful about doing that sparingly.

In the middle of the park, the return of Kyle Beckerman will prove essential. Yordany Alvarez hasn't been stellar (but likewise hasn't been miserable) in the defensive midfielder spot, but it's a difficult spot to learn with the way we play. I'd actually peg him more for a defensive-minded midfielder in a central pairing, or as perhaps as half of a double-pivot midfield. At any rate, Kyle knows that spot as it's, well, his, and that'll be huge in our hopes. Ahead of Kyle, I'd expect Will Johnson and Ned Grabavoy on the left and right respectively, though I'd also not be surprised to see Andy Williams start over Ned Grabavoy. There are certainly fitness concerns at play there, and I won't pretend to have all of the latest information.

Up front, the triple-threat of Javier Morales, Fabian Espindola, and Alvaro Saborio should all start, and while that's not a surprise, it's a huge boost to our chances. With Fabi and Javi bursting into wide positions — sometimes opposite sides to stretch play and sometimes the same side to spring a chance — and with Alvi (I don't think he'd like that name, but… oh well) keeping central defenders quite busy trying to watch his movement — why, I'd fancy our chances to score a handful of goals. Will we? I don't know. Don't ask me that.

Right, my predicted lineup is the same as yesterday's, so I'll just copy-and-paste that and we can be on with our days, waiting in eager anticipation for a brilliant match.

Rimando
Russell - BORLAAAAAAVEEEEEEE - Wingert
Grabavoy - Beckerman - Johnson
Morales
Saborio - Espindola

As a special "treat", I'll try to predict the bench, just, you know, because. Mostly, I'm sitting in a car and I figure I may as well (not that you care about that, particularly, but still.)

SUBS: Melia, Schuler, Beltran, Alexandre, Williams, Gil, Paulo Jr.

Right, so let's get on with it, shall we?

Come on you Claret and Cobalt!