By Steven Agen

The Seattle Sounders return home from a disappointing trip to Kansas City for a Western Conference matchup with FC Dallas. Still leading the pack despite the decisions of referee Ishmael Elfath last week, it’s a great chance at three points against a Dallas side that’s winless in four matches. To reach 29 points from 15 games and (at least temporarily) and the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, here’s what they’ll need to do:

Keep the Moving Parts Working

Beyond the officiating, it was a patchwork lineup that doomed the Sounders to failure in their most recent fixture.

The picture is a bit brighter a week later, with strike tandem Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins due back in at least a limited capacity. Marco Pappa and Brad Evans remain unavailable due to national team duty though, and Osvaldo Alonso has joined Chad Barrett amongst the group of Sounders to be held out for injury concerns. With all the turnover, it’s easily overlooked that rotational players like Zach Scott, Cristian Roldan, and Andy Rose have played well while starters have been away.

Many backups can step in and excel for a game or two- the ability to have an impact over an extended period of time is a very different skill. Sure, Dempsey and Martins are back. But surprises like Dylan Remick and the rest of the fringe starters mentioned above face a rising tide in trying to perform adequately every week. The roster is still stretched, and there will be no rest for Seattle’s depth through most of the summer.

If Scott, Remick, Roldan and Rose can keep playing like starters against Dallas, just carrying the bare essential duties of the starters who normally occupy the given position, then the stars on the Sounders squad will continue to shine.

The role players are playing their roles really well- it’s fantastic for the Sounders for as long as it continues, and they’ll need it to this weekend with so many players out.

Avoid the Set Piece, Avoid the Red Card

Why does it always seem like Dallas games involve red cards? Is it the red jerseys?

Just last week, the Hoops’ match with San Jose finished with 19 players on the field. Dallas were fortunate to only receive one dismissal, and it led them to a valuable road point.

Back in May, when these clubs met for the first time this season, it was Kellyn Acosta cleating Andy Rose that left the home side a man light. The Sounders picked up a road point of their own thanks to the rash challenge.

And then there’s set pieces.

Even before a certain set piece specialist arrived in Texas, penalty kick drama has followed wherever these clubs play. A late phantom decision in Frisco gave Dallas a strange point as far back as the 2009 season. The current penalty kick drama stems from one man.

Michel leads the universe in penalty kicks scored against the Sounders, and has an Olympico at CenturyLink Field to add to it. The Brazilian can do it from the corner flag, from wide free kicks, or direct chances around the box. The Sounders would be wise to limit the chances they give Michel from the dead ball. But the set piece story doesn’t end there.

It took an Osvaldo Alonso header to put Seattle through against Dallas in the playoffs last season, just adding to the sense of drama that set pieces seem to carry in this series.

For some reason, Dallas v Seattle comes down to set pieces and red cards. Win the battle in both, and win the match.

Watch Dallas Fold

The Hoops are winless in four following their blistering start to the season, and it’s starting to feel like the same old story again in Texas. The hot start, the fade by summer, and a first round playoff exit.

It’s worse than winless in four, actually, as Dallas have won three of their last ten and have taken 12 of the last 30 available points. It’s been a full calendar month since their last victory.

And it means they’re ready to fold.

Languishing at fifth in the West after their strong start, a loss at Seattle could see Dallas drop out of a playoff spot altogether this weekend. The Hoops start strong, but traditionally there’s a moment when everyone knows the story is the same again.

If the Seattle Sounders can grab an early goal, Dallas may be only too obliged to help them put it away as the Texans start to feel the season slip away.

PREDICTION

Seattle Sounders 2, FC Dallas 0

Martins (Dempsey) 14’, 38’