After winning the first leg 3-1 in Guatemala, the Sounders will be looking to weather an early Antigua storm and create some pressure of their own in the second leg. The Sounders dynamic attacking style has been on display in their first two games. The three goals scored in Leg One and Jordan Morris brace in the team’s 2-2 with Charlotte FC in Saturday’s home opener brings the goals for tally to five. On the flip side, the goals-against average tally is at three. Simple math has the Sounders at a plus-two goal differential. While it’s a bit of comparing apples to oranges, the numbers don’t lie. In fairness, they can be taken out of context.
CAUTIOUS FRONT FOOT
On Wednesday night the Sounders will need to be prudent, steadfast, and resolute when defending and clinical in finishing.Down two goals in the aggregate score Antigua will throw everything at the Sounders, especially in the first twenty minutes. If the visitors can knick a goal early the game becomes a test of wills. The Sounders can save themselves a whole of trouble by being disciplined on both ends of the pitch early. A goal by the Sounders would make Antigua’s task monumental.
“ We need to establish temple, uh, we’re not gonna be afraid to press higher up the field when necessary; we’re at home. I think that’s a key component here. We always like to press a little higher up the field at home, said Brian Schmezter.” We have to establish better possession, because down there, they did a good job of their triggers of when to press us, especially when the ball went back to the goalkeeper, they were effective in that. And we were a little loose with some touches and it put us under a bit of pressure. So we’ll have to be a little bit cleaner, uh, in our possession and establish the tempo.”
MOVEMENT CREATES TEMPO
To create tempo, the Sounders will need to make penetrating runs when attacking, smart, and supporting runs when building from the back and midblcok, In the build-up ball carriers have to quickly find their pivots get rid of the ball and run to a supporting position. Off-ball, runs will be key in giving ball careers choices and putting Atingua central defenders and fullbacks on their heels.
“Yeah, I think uh, you know, the formation, the system that we’re playing is constantly adapting based on the rival that we’re playing with and that’s a nice thing about being able to have versatility, said Paul Arriola after the teams practice at Lumen Field.
FINAL TAKE
Schmetzer will most likely shuffle the starting lineup, holding a 3-1 lead. In Saturday’s home opener, Paul Rothrock, Georgi Minoungou, and Albert Rusnák were inserted into the lineup. Look for Paul Arriola, Jesus Ferreria, Danny Layva, Joao Paulo, and Andrew Thomas to rotate in. Thomas for Stefan Frei, Paulo and Leyva for Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas. Arriola for Rothrock and Ferreria for Minoungou. Jordan Morris, Nouhou , Jackson Ragen, and Yeimar should start their third straight game so they can work on cohesion when playing a back three.
If the Sounders advance, they would Cruz Azul on March 5th, with the site to be determined
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