By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Morris, DeRosario, and Masovski: Sounders’ Goal-Scoring Challenge

While it’s hard to criticize your attack after a 3-1 win, that is exactly what the Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer has been emphasizing.  Criticism might be too strong a word, but Schmetzer is looking for more consistency from his front line of Jordan Morris, Osaze DeRosario, and Danny Masovski.  All three have shown signs of being able to score. Lacking is consistency. The Sounders have scored just six goals in MLS play



 FIRST OPPORTUNITY

A strong preseason saw  DeRosario start the first four games of the season up front. His stat line was three shots, one assist, and no goals.  DeRosario looked hesitant when inside the opponent’s goal box.  Part of that hesitancy stemmed from a lack of symmetry with Jesus Ferreira, Albert Rusnack, and Cristian Roldan. In all fairness, said players were not getting the ball to the youngster on the few occasions he was in the box.

MORRIS RECOVERS FROM INJURY

Morris started the season opener on the left wing on February 22nd and lasted just seven minutes. As has been the case in his career, Morris worked himself back onto the pitch as a sub in the  March 3rd  game at Minnesota and lasted 25 minutes.  His next appearance was on April 4th, when the Houston Dynamo replaced  Danny  Musovski for the last 29 minutes of the game.

Morris started both Concacaf Champions Cup matches against  Tigres up top. Musovski entered the second half of Tigres’ match and scored on an assist from Morris. The Sounders won the game 3-1 but crashed out of the tournament after a 3-3 aggregate scoreline, failing to secure an away goal or a 2-goal win.

Midfielder Albert Rusnak recorded a brace in the game, which highlighted a lack of production by the front line.   After the game and the teams’ practice on Friday morning, Schmetzer doubled down on the need for some consistency from the front line.

 LACKING INTENTIONALITY

To score goals at a consistent level takes a team effort. The three blocks must be on the same page when transitioning from defense to attack. The Sounders midblock has been using width, but it’s lacking the urgency to get the ball into the box quickly.

CHANGES SURE TO COME

Schmetzer is on record saying that a change has to be made up front. Saturday’s opponent, St. Louis City SC, will be a good a tough test. St. Louis City has allowed 9 goals in 7 games. All three blocks will need to be intentional, focused, and play with a sense of urgency

QUICK GAME NOTES

St. Louis CITY SC versus Seattle Sounders

The Sounders faced St Louis at Energizer Park on March 7, falling 1-0. St. Louis outshot Seattle 8-2 and completed 90% of its passes in the first half. The team also out-possessed Seattle by 70% in the second half but was unable to find the equalizer. Sergio Córdova made his CITY SC debut during the match while Cedric Teuchert earned his first start of the season. 

SOUNDERS OUSTED IN CONCACAF TOURNAMENT

Seattle played Tigres on Wednesday night at Lumen Field in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, exiting the tournament after a 3-3 aggregate result. The Sounders currently sit in fifth place in the MLS Western Conference with a 4-1-1 record, having scored six goals while conceding two. Midfielder Paul Rothrock leads the team in scoring with three goals, while forward Jesús Ferreira has recorded four assists.

AWAY DIFFICULTIES: St. Louis has yet to win on the road so far this season, posting an 0-2-2 record while being outscored 6-2.

LOW SCORING: St. Louis and Seattle have each scored six times this year, the joint-lowest mark in the Western Conference.

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