Sounders FC looking to snap five game win less streak with patience and urgency in clash with FC Dallas

  Being patient and being opportunistic are two important  keys for the Seattle Sounder if they are two end their three game road trip with some points. Three points would be optimum for   Brian Schmetzer and his club.  An earned draw would not be the worst of scenarios. A loss or points given away would make it six games without a win, and the soul-searching would begin in earnest.

 BE QUICK, BUT DON’T HURRY

Said headline quote is one of John Wooden’s most famous and one of his favorites. The quote applies to sports and life .  At the present moment it fits like an old leather glove for the Sounders in Saturdays game against  Hops who are currently sixth in the Western Conference with 11 points. The Sounders are  12^th in the conference with a mere six points.

 So exactly how will  patience, balance, and  quickness come to play on Saturday for the Sounders? Each individual player will have to win their individual battles, which will lead to each group winning it’s part of the field and  the team winning the  overall battle.  Simple put, play solid defense, and move the ball upfield in transition.    

“First and foremost we cannot shoot ourselves in the foot. You force things, deefensively we have to be  solid  in front of goal we have to be lethal. We are  struggling right now,” said  Cristian Roldan after Thursday’s practice. We have been able to control the speed of play but we have not been able to speed up the play in transition. “

TEAM HAS TO PLAY TOGETHER

 Costly unforced errors followed up with back decisions have put the Sounders in their perennial bad start. Yes, injuries have stagnated the team’s on-field chemistry, but a lack of courage in the final third has been the biggest hindrance to the Sounders’ attack.

“What  has been ailing us is that we have not made the plays when we need to, “said Schmezter.  “ We have made some back decisions on the other .” Saturday’s match will see another shuffled lineup for the Sounders.  Albert Rusnáck and  Alex Roldan did not make the trip due to injuries suffered in the 3-0 loss to  San Diego. The good news for Schmetzer and his club is that  Jordan Morris, Pedro de la Vega and newly signed wingback Ryan  Ken will be in Frisco . Morris and dela Vega will play but will be on minute restrictions. Kent’s work visa was approved and he will meet up with the team.

When asked about his messaging to the team, Schmetzer said it is very simple.

“ Play how you know how to play. Each individual, then the groups. Yeimar , Cristian Roldan Individual battles , small groups , then the upfront battle,  the collective, we do that  we will win some games.”

BREAK OUT GAME ?

One player looking to leave  his mark in the game is Jesus Ferreira. The former FC Dallas player  was acquired by Seattle during the offseason.  The talented striker has struggled to find his best role with  Sounders. As a striker, the team struggled to give him the ball when he was running into the box. Unlike Morris Ferreira needs the ball at his feet . Morris  has the speed to  outrun defenders  and run onto the ball.  Ferreira’s move to the outside  has  increased his participation in the Sounders build up. While he has been balancing the emotions of playing against his old team nothing, there is no doubt deep down Ferreira would like to score against his old mates.