Ah, Independence Day. A day in which we can claim our freedom from a three-game skid and embark on a run with newly founded confidence, right? Well, yes, that's what we'd love to see. But we're facing a Seattle side who will be out for revenge, and as we've seen so often, that means something.
I don't know that it means a lot, but it does mean something, doesn't it? After all, we are the side that sent them rather tumbling when we defeated them at their turfy home, and they've failed to win a single match since. I mean, that's got to sting a little bit, right? But there's been a little extra bite in this matchup for some time now, both on the pitch and off.
Perhaps that off-the-pitch rivalry has developed because some Sounders fans apparently have nothing better to do than spend hours a day on the MLS site, leaving baiting comments and getting generally uppity when somebody suggests they are not the greatest side the league has ever seen. But maybe that's not it. I don't know. I do think, however, that Seattle fans would not be welcoming now as they were during the 2009 MLS Cup Final.
Right, well, enough of that. Let's talk about the side, as I usually do. I'll try to focus on tactics as it relates to our recent losses, and if you've not read my recent post on why our midfield may be the source of our woes, I suggest you do so, as I'll be referencing that a bit.
At the back, we'll see Nick Rimando, and hopefully he won't be tested too heavily. This isn't because I don't think he could pass with flying colors — I do think that, as he's certainly one of the best in the league and in with a shout for top few American keepers — but because I'd like to see our side thoroughly dominate this affair. But if we can't sort out our gaps on the pitch, we'll be in rather a lot of trouble. And when there are gaps, we either push too far forward to compensate, leaving Nick vulnerable to balls over the top (although I'm confident in his dealing with those, we don't want to see him forced into uncomfortable positions regularly — it's a recipe for disaster) — or we leave too much room just in front of the defense, leaving us vulnerable to dangerous runs from the inside and outside.
So the defense — another source of question marks — will have to be aware as well. Seattle, as we know, plays well on the flanks but doesn't do incredibly well in the middle, and this should speak well to our chances. We will need our full backs to compensate for the flank-heavy play, but we'll need to exercise caution to ensure that doesn't hurt. If Jamison Olave has sufficiently recovered — I'm a bit doubtful he has, though — we could see our first-choice back four (Beltran, Borchers, Olave, Wingert). As I'm not sure he has, perhaps we will get another sight of Tanaka on the right, Beltran on the left, and Wingert in the center alongside Borchers. Or, given that we played just Saturday, we might see something altogether a bit different with Mansally on the left and Beltran on the right.
The middle of the park will be vital as ever. With Kyle Beckerman back after his accumulation suspension, we'll be in a stronger position, as I think he's got a better sense of when to push up than Yordany Alvarez. No slight against the kid, really, because the problem is a systematic one and not an individual one. Regardless, that spot should not be the only central midfield spot, so our box-to-box players need to be pushed more centrally than they've been playing. I'm not sure of that status of Ned — I believe he practiced fully yesterday, but I am not certain — but his presence would be helpful in the side. He's a player that tucks in, keeps possession, and makes things happen. We need that. Likewise, I suspect Will Johnson will partner him on the left, and although we know he's got a penchant for sticking wide and providing defensive cover, he has to give some of that up and come inside. In the playmaker spot, I'm not sure we'll see Javier Morales starting, just as a protective measure for his fitness, so I'm going to aim for Luis Gil, who should be back from injury right about now. If we get the midfield right tonight, I'm confident that all the other pieces will fall into place.
Up front, Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio should both be set to take their places as starters. Given that they were pulled from the last match, I'd imagine they were being protected for this one. This home clash is certainly a big one for us, and it gives us a chance to work our way back into real contention to top the Western Conference standings. Goals from either will intensify that race for top scorer in the league, so perhaps we'll get a nice shot of all that tonight.
Right, other than that, it's all down to performance and whatnot. Is it about heart? Not for me. You can have all the heart in the world, but it means naught if you're not set up right. Let's hope we see a change in fortunes tonight.
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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