The Sounders are looking to put aside a week full of distractions and get back to playing soccer. Saturday’s game against Cascadia Rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps (9-1-5, 32pts), is as big as it comes for the Rave Green. The Whitecaps sit atop the Western Conference standings, with the Sounders (7-5-5, 26 pts) holding down fourth place in the Conference. Sunday’s match marks the first meeting between the two rivals.
OVERCOMING DISTRACTIONS
Last week’s 1-0 to Minnesota saw the Sounders ‘ unbeaten win streak come to an end. The loss also snapped the Sounders’ two-game unbeaten streak. Before the contest, Sounders from the Sounders wore T-shirts to protest what they felt was unfair player compensation for their participation in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. After the game, the players held a unity press conference to voice their displeasure not only with the inequity but also with the lack of communication from the Owners’ group regarding the issue.
FROM BAD TO WORSE
Two days after the loss, reports surfaced that team owner Adrien Hanauer had some strong and pointed words for the players after the game. The story became a story in itself, and for the first two days after each practice, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and several players fielded questions regarding the alleged incident. The question is how the distractions have on the team in Sunday’s contest.
AN OPPONENT WITH ITS DISTRRACTIONS.
Each team in professional sports deals with distractions. The Whitecaps will be without nine players who will have been called up for international duty, and the squad is coming off a 5-0 CONCACAF Champions Cup loss to Mexican side Cruz Azul in Mexico City. Vancouver is unbeaten in its last 10 MLS contests.
KEY TO A SOUNDERS WIN
In the loss to Minnesota, the Sounders lacked conviction in the final third of the field. The buildup from the back was fast-paced, intentional, and had purpose. The intention for the Sounders was to find pockets in which to overload and gain a numerical advantage against a well-organized Minnesota team. The Sounders created personnel overloads, and a lack of movement into space to make space for the ball carrier was another issue.
The Second issue was a lack of decisiveness by the ball carrier. Schmetzer’s decision to have Jackson Ragen move into the created space on the right quarter looked good on paper. Jackson’s long passing ability would put pressure on Minnesota’s defending midblock. The unintended consequence was that Jackson’s movement upfield pinned Cristian Roldan back in a defending role, which then affected Obed Vargas’ effectiveness upfront.
ATTACK MINDED
If the Sounders are to secure a result, they will need to be air-tight when in a high press and ruthless in transition possession. Once in the final third, Danny Musoviski, Pedro de la Vega, Paul Rothrock, and Albert Rusnâk must be decisive, creative, and clinical.
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