Seattle, WA – Two of the top three seeded Western Conference teams from last year will face of in a July 23rd matchup. Both clubs are coming into the match looking far different than they did at the end of the 2021 campaign, and are seeking a rebound of sorts to find themselves back in playoff contention. For the home side, Seattle is looking to get back into their shape, having lost their last three contests. The Sounders will look to rebound and get back into their offensive attack, having failed to score in their past three matches. The Rapids have not yet won a road contest.
Photo: Linda Brothers
Last match recap:
- Sounders: The Sounders looked lost offensively and had holes defensively for the third straight match, as they fell to the recently surging Chicago Fire FC on the road. Seattle failed to make young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina sweat, and the Sounders backline was breached on several occasions. With the exception of the teams away win over Toronto FC, the Sounders have in bad, bad form in their past five matches and simply look like a shell of themselves. While I do want to acknowledge that this sort of thing takes place during a Seattle season quite often, it is about how the team finds a way to respond and jettisons themselves into playoff position. That same task lies ahead of them once again.
- Rapids: In Colorado’s past match, the Rapids were able to hand a two goal defeat to currently playoff seeded LA Galaxy. Diego Rubio opened up the scoring for Colorado in the 20th minute, putting the home side ahead. Gyasi Zardes, who has been finding his form as of late for the Rapids, put the game away in the 75th minute with the clubs second goal of the night. Colorado finished a two game homestand, taking away four points out of six.
Where they stand heading into this matchup
- Sounders: In MLS play, Seattle posts a 8-10-2 record. The Sounders have a 5-4-1 record at home. They rank 9th in the Western Conference
- Rapids: In MLS play, Portland posts a 6-8-6 record. Portland has a 0-6-3 record on the road, and rank 12th in the Western Conference.
Albert Rusnak’s passing could be big for Seattle’s attempt to put away final balls
Players to watch on Colorado
- Diego Rubio: Colorado’s leading goal scorer by a wide margin (six goals), Rubio has been dangerous for the Rapids and that could be the case in this matchup. The Seattle defensive unit will need to return to prior form and get back to being rock solid, because if not, Rubio will surely bombard whoever is in net for Seattle. While his shooting percentage is middle of the pack at 44%
- Michael Barrios: The Rapids leading assist man, Barrios is nowhere near the top of the team in accurate passes, but he surely is efficient with the ones he does make. Barrios five assists lead the Colorado side, on only 167 accurate passes. For comparison, Lalas Abubakar leads Colorado in accurate passes with 725. Barrios will prove to be notable for the Seattle game plan, as while he may not quite conduct the midfield, his ability to be efficient should be mitigated.
- Lalas Abubakar: As mentioned above, Abubakar is essentially where all roads go through for the Rapids attack. While he has yet to record an assist, Abubakar has gotten on the scoreboard with three goals to date. Likely much of what you will see from the Colorado attack will run through Abubakar. Make sure that you confine him, don’t give him space, and you could close off a lot of gates from where the Rapids attack could come through.
Having Nico Lodeiro’s playmaking ability in form would be key for Seattle
Keys to a Sounders win
- Get more out of your midfield: Nico Lodeiro himself has said that this is not the same team that won Concacaf Champions League, and that’s obvious. Lodeiro’s form as well has been poor, as his presence on the pitch has not been what it’s been earlier this season, let alone in years prior. Obviously age factors into a players regression, but I don’t believe that is what is taking place with Nico. The general midfield has seen mixtures throughout the season, whether it be injury (Joao Paulo) or matchups, and overall there is an issue with how perhaps the most important part of the club is playing. The midfield is the great bridge in futbol, and the Seattle midfield hasn’t been a huge help to their play as of late. Get more out of your midfield, and it may help you with key number two.
- Find that final ball: The Sounders have not been able to find a final ball in their past three matches, and their last match victory saw the unlikely duo of young Dylan Teves and Fredy Montero score to beat Toronto FC. Seattle needs to find that aggression and attacking mindset again in order to actually get balls on target, let alone in goal. The Sounders lack of finishing is disappointing, considering the offensive weaponry that they have. Somebody needs to break the wall down, and hopefully that will lead the charge to bring Seattle’s scoring back.
- Find your footing on defense: A Sounders backline that was one of the best last season and helped them achieve Concacaf Champions League hardware, has looked unrecognizable as of late. Multiple runs got through the Seattle defense, Chicago’s only goal of the match came on a missed assignment, and the Sounders have not looked very secure in general. With several capable defenders at the ready, it’s not like Seattle is missing anyone on defense. Whether it be formation changes or the funk that the club is in, the Sounders defensive unit must awaken and get back to their fortifying ways.
Thank you to Linda Brothers, Melissa Levin, and Paul Kahl for the great photos used in this article! Thanks Linda, Mel, and Paul!
