By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Sounders looking to get right against a tough Whitecaps team

To say the Sounders have been on a hangover from their  3-0  Leagues Cup win over Inter Miami would be a bit harsh. Let’s just say the team has been a little dazed and confused in their last three games since hoisting the  Cup. The Sounders are winless in their previous three games, with one draw and two defeats.

GALAXY DRAW

After bolting out to a 2-0 lead, the Sounders fell into a dazed state and allowed the Galaxy to get one back just before halftime due to lackadaisical marking. Head coach Brian Schmetzer went to his bench to bring some energy. Chances were created, but they went begging. Each near chance stretched the lines, which allowed the Galaxy to counter and cause defensive confusion. The Galaxy scored an 87th-minute goal to earn the draw.

STAGERRING THROUGH  THE REMATCH

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Sounders to fly across the country and beat Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC for the second time in 16 days.  The Sounders pretty much sleepwalked through the game, and credit Stefan Frei for keeping the scoreline respectable.

SOFT GOALS AND LETHARGIC PLAY

Against Austin FC on the road, the Sounders gave up a late stoppage-time goal to return home with nothing to show for their effort. The 2-1 loss was a microcosm of the Sounders’ late run of fame. The ability to create chances but unable to score multiple goals, three blocks being spread at crucial moments due to a lack of awareness of space on the field, poor communication, and a lack of courage on both ends of the pitch.

MOVING FORWARD

At the business end of the season, with just four games left in the regular season, Schmetzer has some decisions to make.  Who starts in goal?

“I am in a win situation because it does not matter who starts in goal,” said Schmetzer after the team’s Friday practice. “ They are both good.” That is  fair statement.

 What Schmetzer needs from the rest of his players is consistency and awareness. Consistency from the start of the game to the end of the game. Awareness is that the playoffs begin several games before the regular season.   The key to a good playoff run is to enter the postseason with momentum.

The backline of  Nouhou, Yeimar  Gomez,  Jackson Ragen and Cristian Roldan is as good as any in the league. Lacking is solid communication, emergency defending in the box as a unit and sheer determination not to allow the other team to score. With Obed Vargas away on an International call-up, Schmetzer will need to decide a playmate for Cristian Roldan in the central pivot.  My guess is that it will be Danny Leyva until Vergas returns.

SCORING WITH COHESION

With everyone at full strength, Schmeltzer has to select a front four that can play as a unit, score consistently, and defend from the front. In the next four games, Schmetzer has to select a front four that can build momentum heading into the playoffs. One would guess that  Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris are locks to start. From there, things get murky.  Jesus Ferreria and Pedro de la Vega did not start in the Austin FC match. Ferreria played 30 minutes. De la Vega never saw the field.

   Paul Rothrock has been solid in the last five games and has been solid on both ends of the pitch. Danny Musoviski is having a career season, leading the team with 14 goals. Georgi Minoungou scored a goal in the Austin defeat as a halftime sub. Minoungou brings spark off the bench, which is of great benefit to the Sounders.

BIG TEST

Whoever Schmetzer picks for his starting XI will need to be  in top form  for Saturday’s Cascadia match with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps are second in the conference with 56 points, while the Sounders are fifth with 45 points. Yes, the playoffs start on Saturday. One of the big questions for Saturday is how much patience Schmetzer will have  if there are subpar performances

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