We're through!
That's really what matters right now, isn't it? We took a beating from Seattle, we stood back up; we took a punch or two or three, we stood back up. We wobbled, we leaned, and we looked as woozy as we have, but the great fighters at Real Salt Lake capitalized on a strong first leg to take the punches, shake them off, and run out winners in the end.
We could try to name a man of the match, but it was resolute defending — even if it looked like a bridge in an earthquake at times — that led to our aggregate victory. As is becoming usual in my post-match reports, I'll go through some notes for you to pick through.
Tony Beltran, while not back to his top fitness level, was easily the reason we stayed in the tie at all. Signs will, of course, point toward his brilliant reaction with his head to clear a goal-bound ball as evidence of his impact, but he truly did a lot more than just that. Still, I'm in awe of that moment, and if we're going to be a side defined by individual moments, I'm glad they're ones like that.
Chris Wingert in the center didn't terrify me as much as I'd worried it would. I admit to being a bit surprised that he started there, but given that he's spent some time there in his career, it wasn't a terrible move. He did get turned a time or two, but he was generally reliable and dealt with the pressure that was constantly being flung at him from every side.
The other Chris (Schuler, of course) was dealing with the same level of pressure, and while I'm not certain he did quite as well as he could have — not having a talkative partner next to him isn't the biggest favor to his play — he was actually quite good. There were, of course, a few nervy moments to be had, but that's sort of what we expected.
Robbie Russell was essential on that wing. He didn't stop everything — by no means did he do that — but he did stop a lot of it, and he did clear the ball often. In fact, you could say the same about most everybody.
Here's the thing: We were a side dealing with an absolutely desperate Seattle Sounders, and they really threw everything forward. That we weren't able to snag a goal on the break is down to a few factors:
- Our clearances were not sufficiently long, such that Espindola or Saborio could run on to to them. This cut them out of the game by and large until, ironically, Saborio came off.
- When Saborio exited, you'll have noticed that we actually looked deadlier on attack. This wasn't a coincidence. Saborio holds up play well, but he isn't the sort of forward to drop deep to pick up the ball. When we're without possession, Saborio is not great for our side — but our natural game is a possession game, and I do think he's good for our side.
- Seattle was good in the air at the back, and they cleared it back into our half. When Chris Wingert cleared, he cleared like a full back: Forward. It's something Nat Borchers does differently, as, in some situations, he will clear it back to Nick Rimando, who can then hold the ball and allow our defense to collect. As a result, we were less able to find gaps at the back, as we simply didn't have the ball.
The big thing from this match, I think, is that we saw how good Kreis can be as a tactical manager. Those three subs he made were perfect:
- First, Ned Grabavoy on for Andy Williams. Andy was starting to look a bit worn out, and Ned brought in a vital spark of tackling attention. But more than that, he was useful going forward, and he nearly sprung Espindola on several occasions.
- Second, Yordany Alvarez on for Alvaro Saborio. It looked, on its face, a negative move, but to me, this was the moment that changed the match. Saborio wasn't dropping to get the ball, and he wasn't winning balls in the air from clearances, so really — not having a center forward was an acceptable solution. This gave Espindola more room to drift all over, and he caused a few problems for the Seattle defense as a result — especially in conjunction with Yordany. But Yordany Alvarez was great: He tackled well, he moved around well, and he was absolutely calm in everything he did. I'm not sure his presence itself settled the team, but having another man on the pitch who can add that sort of presence was incredibly useful.
- Third, Luis Gil for Javier Morales. Now, it may be the case that Javier has sustained a slight knock, and we'll find out in the coming days — I hope not. But Luis Gil was set to come on anyway, and I'd imagine it was this substitution, regardless of Javier's ankle. Gil came on and ran, ran, ran. Hassling and harrying attacks isn't usually his role, but for the few minutes he was doing that, I had no worries.
Masterstroke, Kreis. Masterstroke.
So, until tomorrow, folks. I'll write more about this match, the playoffs, and what we should expect moving forward.
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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