Seattle Sounders chat with the referee when they played FC Dallas earlier this season. (Photo credit: Ziro Castellanos)
Two teams at polar opposites of the Western Conference are set to square off Wednesday night in Seattle. These playoff rivals for the last two seasons have had different regular season experiences so far in 2016, but anyone that watched Seattle edge FC Dallas on away goals in 2014 or the intense penalty shootout that Dallas won in 2015 knows how much these teams enjoy competing against each other.
Form since last meeting
FC Dallas have been indomitable as of late, recording a 4-1-2 record in the league since these teams last faced each other two months ago. Seattle, on the other hand, have gone 1-5-1 and have not won at home in the league in their last three attempts. Seattle has only recorded four goals in those seven games, while Dallas has tallied three times that amount.
Speaking at the press conference last night Sigi Schmid emphasized Seattle has “had good moments and played well in games and just haven’t gotten goals. We need to get goals. That’s [sic]what our focus is on.” It is worth pointing out that Seattle has continued scoring in their US Open Cup run as well as a recent friendly, but those performances do not seem to be carrying over to MLS regular season form.
Right replacements for this season
One of the biggest differences with the two teams has been how they dealt with the changes in the forward position.
Obafemi Martins is a special player and it seems that Seattle has not found a way to replace him since his move to China. Jordan Morris is a talented striker, but currently does not offer the same type of play that Martins did.
Blas Perez has been replaced by Maximiliano Urruti up front for FC Dallas. Urruti’s work rate off the ball is a huge complement to the high tempo, counterattacking style that FC Dallas has been building towards the last few seasons.
Final thoughts
Seattle are going to be desperate to get a victory at home and Dallas has the luxury of being able to soak up that pressure and counter. A good performance by Seattle against the best team in the league could be the spark that turns this season around for Seattle Sounders. The first goal in this match is going to be crucial, and the team that scores it will probably have the psychological advantage to hold on for the victory.
