Something is broken in the Seattle attack.
By Toby Dunkelberg
The Seattle Sounders travel to Stade Saputo for a 5pm (PDT) matchup against the Montreal Impact. Both in stretches of poor form and desperate for points to silence their critics, it’s sure to be a hotly contested game.
Montreal, winner of one game in their last five despite their leader Ignacio Piatti registering a goal or an assist in each of the last four games. The issue for the Impact is their defense which has conceded nine goals over that same stretch. That defense is headed by centerback Laurent Ciman, whose aerial presences and calm demeanor have help to shore up a shaky back line that regularly features youngsters. Because of his presence Montreal’s defense has good chemistry and they cover for each other much better than one would expect.
Where they’ve struggled is one-on-one matchups on the wings, where their defenders inexperience often leads set pieces due to desperate fouls after being beaten. The easiest way for the Sounders to score is to exploit that inexperience and use their talent advantage in Thomàs and Roldan to get around the outside defenders. Once there they need to dribble and combine with short passes instead of lofting in crosses, which only plays into Montreal’s strength.
The Impacts attack meanwhile shows little signs of issue. Headed by Piatti, it plays to all of the Italians strong suits. Their game plan is to use their speed in Romero and Oduro to get into open space and wait for a pinpoint pass from Piatti. Outside of McInerny Montreal has little aerial presence as the Impact and Oduro in particular are infamous for their inability to head it on target.
Montreal’s speed, wing usage, and pin-point passes combine to make them a dangerous foe for Seattle. The Sounders centerbacks are aging, and although Marshall and Scott are dominant in the air, their speed isn’t what it used to be. And despite all the progress Seattle’s made this season on the defensive side of the ball last week proved they are still prone to individual error. That’s not what you want when you face a team headed by Piatti.
For the Sounders to keep the clean sheet they’ll need to stay back more on defense and respect the speed that Montreal possesses. Tyrone Mears and Dylan Remick, the presumed starter after Gonzalez’s poor passing last week, will have to stay home more than they’ve been used to or else they’ll risk leaving the slow tandem of Scott and Marshall on an island.
The Seattle attack meanwhile is still hamstrung by absences. Clint Dempsey looks set to lead the US Mens National Team in their 3rd place game, Obafemi Martins is still a week out from play time due to his groin injury, Andy Craven is injured after a collision during practice, and now Marco Pappa is going through MLS’s substance abuse program after being arrested for a DUI over the weekend. That leaves Chad Barrett, Lamar Neagle, and newcomer Thomàs to spearhead the attack, and they simply haven’t figured out how to score yet. Only managing
The only bright side for the Sounders attack is that with a fully fit Osvaldo Alonso and Freiberg behind them they’ll be able to take chances going forward assured that if they turn it over their midfield can handle it.
If the Sounders can figure out how to exploit their height advantage they’ll be set, with with only 2 goals (out of 25 total) coming from dead ball situations this season that looks to be a long shot. Instead expect this to be controlled in midfield with a big performances from Alonso and Freiberg needed if the Sounders are to come out on top. It’s something they’ve each done in their careers and showed glimpses of in their last start but they’ll need to step up and command the lackluster attack, otherwise Montreal squeaks by 1-0 with yet another late goal.
LINEUP
Perkins, Mears, Marshall, Scott, Remick, Freiberg, Alonso, Rose, Roldan, Nealge, Thomàs (4-3-3)
SCORING SUMMARY
Romero 80’
RESULT
Montreal Impact 1 – 0 Seattle Sounders
Sounders FC
Montreal Impact
