Sounders vs Loon Will Be Battle For Central Midfield

If the Seattle Sounders FC and Minnesota United FC clubs were heavyweight boxers, they would be vintage Muhammad Ali. Some Rope A Dope accompanied with a lot of body jabs setting up for the knockout blow.  The two teams play a similar game of a fast-paced attack that is controlled by a gifted midfielder with a complementary staff. The matchup between Minnesota United’s Emanuel Reynoso and the Sounders Nicola Lodeiro should be a treat for all soccer fans.

CONTROLLED WITH INTENT

Sounders captain Nicolas  Lodeiro is playing as good of soccer as anyone in the world right now.  Lodeiro finished the season tied for the league in assist with 10 and seven goals. The Uruguayan recorded six game-winning assists in 2020 two more than anyone else in MLS. The  Landon Donovan MSL MVP award finalist is a true puppeteer with speed quickness and the ability to switch direction with the ball.   If given time and space with the ball Lodeiro will find favorite target Raul Ruidiz. The Peruvian led the Sounders in goals scored for the third consecutive year with a career 12 goals scores. That number had Ruidiaz tied for second in the MLS.  Lodeiro’s other lethal option is  Jordan Morris who finished with ten goals and eight assists. Morris’s ten goals scored left him tied for 5th in MLS. All three players landed on the  2020 MLS  Best XI  squad.

A UNITED ATTACK

The other grandmaster puppeteer in the game is MUNF’s, Emanuel Reynoso. Similar to Lodiero Reynosois playing as well as anyone in the game.  The reason for the high accolades for both players is not only their ball-handling skills and deft touch with the ball, it is due to their vision. Reynoso is able to make short sublime passes or longs slide rule passes when needed. And like Lodeiro, he has the dribbling skills to beat multiple defenders at a time.  Reynoso has recorded six  MLS Cup Playoff assist which ties him for first in league history.  If given time and space Reynoso will find fleet-footed forward Kevin Molino who scored a brace in the  Loons  3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.

OTHER PLAYERS

The holding midfielders on both sides will need to play disciplined and team defense if they are to neutralize the opponent’s attack.  Former Sounder Captain  Osvaldo Alonso will look to be a disruptor of  Lodeiro’s passes to  Cristina Roldan and Joao Paulo and obviously the front line. To do that he will need help from  Jan Gregus and  Marlon Hairston.  The three will need to stay compacted and disciplined on defense.

Sounder midfielders Joao Paulo and Cristina Roldan will have to play a similar role. Stay compact on defense and don’t drift to the outside. The wildcard for the Sounders will be Gustav Svenson. If he is able to play Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer can tinker with the formation. All three players would start. Where would be the question?