creativity.
Sounders FC rolled into Houston FC Thursday be looking to extend it’s unbeaten streak to four games. Saturday’s match is the second of the season between the two clubs and the first of three consecutive road games for the Rave Green. The two sides played to a goalless draw on March 22nd at Lumen Field. The result was fair in that both sides had decent looks at the goal but were unable to capitalize. The two sides have a similar strategy. Win the possession battle so players can make runs in and around the goal box. Strategy two is to play solid defense and counterattack when possible.
WHO WILL SCHMETZER SELECT
Early injuries forced head coach Brian Schmetzer to rotate his lineups. After a slow start, the team is now clicking on all cylinders because the players coming off the bench are performing at the same level as the starters. A delightful dilemma for a head coach. The team is winning, and the players are competing for minutes.
SOME EASY CHOICES AND SOME NOT SO EASY
On Saturday, Schmetzer will have some easy decisions and some not-so-much when it comes to picking his starting XI. Stefan Frei, Yeimar, Kim Kee-Hee, Alex Roldan, Nouhou and Danny Musoviski are obvious choices Musoviski has scored four goals in four games. Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas are also obvious choices. Their interchangeability in the middle of the field has given Schmetzer the luxury of tinkering with wing players. From there, Schemtzer’s task becomes rather difficult. Paul Rothrock has been playing well as a wingback. In the 4-1 win over St Louis, Ryan Kent showed his big-stage skills, efficiency with the ball, timely passing, and a lethal shot.
When Ken replaced Rothrock, the team shifted to a 4-4-2 to allow Kent a natural winger to roam on the left side. Pedro De la Vega has been playing well, but not a full 90. Rusnáck was on a modified practice this week, as was Jesus Ferreira. Schmetzer said both players are ready to start if called. There lies Schmetzer’s dilemma. Do you stick with last week’s lineup with Rothrock , Rusnák, and Dela Vega behind Musoviski in a 4-2-3-1 ? Or do you insert Kent for Rothrock, stick with Rusnâk and Dela Vega? The former is more likely.
LOOKING FOR AN ATTACK MINDSET
Regardless of who starts, Schmetzer and his coaching staff are looking for players to be creative, dynamic, and lethal on the offensive front. Assistant head coach Freddy Jaurez said this week that though the team has changed its formation of paper, players are expected to occupy the same spaces in the attacking third. The defensive end is a given. All players are expected to track back on defense and be on alert to counter when Houston brings its high press.
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