The six-point swing game between the third-place Minnesota Lunes hosting the fourth-place Sounders was always going to be a bit of a grudge match. The Loons beat the Sounders at Lumen Field, so the word ‘revenge’ was in the air, but not spoken aloud. More like playing for pride and the bigger prize of going into the playoffs with a top-four regular finish. The top four teams would host a best-of-three playoff match.
Stefan Frei started in goal for the first time in eight games. Yeimar and Jackson started as the twin center backs. Alex Roldan was the right back, and Nouhou was the left back. Wingbacks were Reed Baker-Whiting on the left and Paul Rothrock. Obed Vargas and Cristian were the interior pivots, with Jesus Ferreria above them and Osaze De Rosario at the top.
BOTH SIDES PLAYED TO THEIR STRENGTHS IN THE FIRST HALF
The first half ended in a predictable goalless draw. Predictable in that the Loons ceded possession to the Sounders and were happy to defend deep in their defensive half with a bunkered backline of five and a bank of four midfielders in front. To counter, the Sounders tried to move the ball down the flanks with Baker-Whiting on the left and Paul Rothrock on the right.
Baker-Whitting’s run down the left flank resulted in several crosses into the Minnesota goal, but they bore no fruit. DeRosario was unable to get the crosses on frame. Ferreria’s movement inside was the key to the Sounders’ sustained possession and the few chances created. On the right side, Rothrock made runs down the flanks, received several passes from Ferreria and Alex Rodan, but was unable to create a clear chance.
LOONS HAVE A THEIR CHANCES
The homeside had two counterattack chances. A turnover by Yeimar in the 30th minute resulted in a Kelvin Yeboah shot that Frei easily saved. A second Seattle turnover in the 41st minute resulted in a Joseph Rosales shot that was well wide of the goal. The
SOUNDERS ARE TRYING TO PLAY FAST
The Sounders started the second half the way they did the first half—uptempo, dominating possession with intent to go downhill. While they dominated possession, the Sounders were missing that extra piece of magic to take the lead.
You know, having numbers in the box is one thing, but where they’re spaced is another. So you can’t have three guys in one area and leave a space out here, “ said Schmetzer. “ You have to make sure there are players in the box and you have to get them in the right areas. So again, vision is the key. You can’t make a good decision unless you see the whole field, and that applies in the 18-yard box as well.”
LOONS GET BACK INTO THE GAME WITH GAMESMANSHIP
The lack of creativity allowed Minnesota to get a foothold in the game. It’s not that Minnesota took over the possession battle; what the home side did was slow the game down when they had a free kick or a goal kick. The Sounders became lax in their defending of throw-ins and a fatal corner kick.
The team also lacked energy to push forward when in possession. In the 63rd minute, Schmetzer had inserted Pedro de la Vega for Baker-Witing and Danny Musovski for De Rosario.
GAME WINNER
The fatal blow to the Sounders came in the 73rd minute when Joaquin Pereyra’s left-footed shot from a corner kick saw the Loons take the lead and score their 17th corner kick of the season.
FRANTIC PUSH
With plenty of time for an equalizer at the very least, De la Vega and Musovski energized the team. The insertion of Georgi Monoungou for Rothrock in the 78th minute saw them put the foot to the pedal and throw caution to the wind. Alex Roldan, Musovski, and Yeimar all had a half-chance that went begging. The Sounders’ best chance came in the 90+2 minute of stoppage time. Cristian Roldan’s cross landed on the head of a levitating Yeimar, whose bullet header was swatted away at the last moment by Loons goalkeeper Daynes St Clair.
THE BIG TAKE
Both teams played to their strengths, and the game could have gone either way. With a League Cup quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Schmetzer was prudent in his lineup and substitutions. Minnesota had more to play for in this game, and that was the difference in concentration. The lesson learned here will be how the Sounders quickly turn their attention to the Wednesday game.
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