Three lingering questions after the Sounder 5-1 loss to the Timbers.

The first question is: Did head coach Brian Schmezer get it right with the lineup and strategy?

The answer would be mostly yes.   Kalani Rienzi at right back, Antino Lopez at center back, and pivots Synder Brunell and Hassani Dotson were the next men up due to injuries. Where I disagree with Schmetzer’s lineup is Jordan Morris starting up top.

Making matters worse is that Danny Musoviski replaced Morris at halftime due to a calf injury. This is not about adding insult to injury.  My reason for suggesting Musoviski over Morris is the way the Sounders attacked in the final third.    Musovski is a poacher who can create inside the box. Morris’s strength is making runs into the box.  When Paul Rothrock made his wide runs in the wide channels and slid the ball into the box, there were very few Sounders making a play on the pass. Morris gave an effort, but the timing of the runs and ball delivery was off.

SHOULD  ALBERT  RUSNACK HAVE MOVED BACK A LINE ?

Hassani Dotson scored the Sounders’ lone goal, so it’s hard to be too critical of his play, but his connection with Syndergaard was nonexistent. The two pivots were too far apart, which allowed the Timbers’ midfield of Diego Chara, Cole Bassett, and David Da Costa to find small channels to occupy and create a supply line for attackers, forward Kevin Kelsey, wingers Arie Lassister, and Antony. The attacking trio also found space behind the pivots and between Atonio Lopez and Jackson Ragen. Bringing Albert Rusnack back as a line would have added another defensive body and outlet when in transition. The Sounders struggled when they tried to play the ball from the back.

IMAGES BY FRANCINE SCOTT

WAS THE BACKLINE AS BAD AS IT LOOKED?

The answer here would be yes and no. Yes, as in Nouhou, Jackson Ragen,  Lopez, and  Rienzi were horrible as a unit. The no would be that  Ragen and Nouhou won some important duels. That is not to sugarcoat the criminal defense, given the lack of communication and resolve.  The pivots’ lack of pressure on the ball allowed the Timbers forwards to roam into the final third. The lack of communication resulted in atrocious off-ball marking and non-existent on-ball defending. Rienz’s on-ball defending will improve with experience, and that experience will improve his decision-making when making runs down the flank. Like Rienzi  Brunell, he will improve with experience. The 19-year-old played 64 minutes, won just one of six ground duels, and lost both aerial duels. He connected on 26 of 27 passes.

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