Stefan Frei was the Seattle Sounders’ best performer of the night against the Vancouver Whitecaps (photo by Matt Warso).
By Mark Lee
Starting XI
Stefan Frei – 7
Frei made a few fantastic saves in an attempt to keep the Sounders in the game, including an excellent fingertip save onto the crossbar to thwart a Vancouver counter attack in the first half. He could do nothing about either of the first two goals, and would have needed a world class save to keep out Pedro Morales’ well-placed free kick. Despite the unflattering 3-0 scoreline, Frei was the Sounders’ best performer of the night.
Tyrone Mears – 5
While Mears didn’t make any glaring mistakes that directly led to a goal, he was a part of a defensive unit that gave up 3 goals from set pieces and failed to close down attacking threats. He never managed to get forward in the attack, and only put in one dangerous ball into the box despite being given numerous chances at free service. Needs to get more involved in the attack and rediscover the attacking form that helped the right flank be so dangerous earlier this season.
Brad Evans – 5.5
Evans was the brightest spot in a poor back line, making a couple of key tackles to keep the scoreline within reason. Considering that this was his first league game since June, it was not entirely unexpected that the back four looked a little disjointed, and it is extremely important that his partnership with Marshall regains cohesiveness in the tail end of the season. His sturdiness was marred only by an awkward touch that led to Pa-Madou Kah’s opener.
Chad Marshall – 5
Marshall appeared to lack some of the sharpness and composure that are staples of his game, but continued to win nearly every aerial challenge he was involved in. He nearly equalized late in the first half, but was kept out by a great save from David Ousted. Aside from that one chance, it was a very average game from Marshall.
Dylan Remick – 4
His service into the box must improve. It’s great to see him willing to get forward in the attack and try to create something, but when the first defender clears every single cross it becomes a moot point. With Leo Gonzalez out and limited competition at left back, Remick will most likely continue to get minutes but he’ll need to improve. Not many positives to take from this performance aside from his work rate.
Erik Friberg – 5
Friberg mostly held possession well in the midfield, but was guilty of needless turnovers along with the rest of the team. Aside from a nice chipped through ball to Dempsey, which nearly put him through on goal, most of his play was horizontal. As Friberg’s fitness continues to improve, and his synergy with Dempsey and the rest of the attack progresses, he has to show more creativity and attacking threat going forward.
Gonzalo Pineda (subbed off 59th) – 4.5
You can’t fault Pineda’s fire and intensity, but there was little else to take from this performance. He helped keep good possession with Alonso and Friberg, but offered little protection to the back line when Vancouver countered on the break. It was unfortunate to see him subbed off after picking up a knock to the head, but it came at a good time as he was attempting to earn a yellow card for dissent.
Osvaldo Alonso – 6.5
Alonso showed a phenomenal work rate, as usual, and was the key man in the midfield three with Friberg and Pineda. He did well to switch the attack on multiple occasions, but also a looked a little disconnected on hopeful long balls. It was sickening to see him go off with an injured hamstring yet again; you could see him shedding tears of frustration as he left the field. Andy Rose, among others, will need to step up big in Alonso’s absence to fill his void in the midfield.
Thomás (subbed off 76th) – 6
Thomás was one of the few Sounders who showed a willingness to take players on and attempt to create chances. While this meant he was sometimes wasteful in possession, it was still a nice contrast to the lack of creativity shown by the rest of the midfield. His quick burst of pace to create space for a cross resulted in the Sounders’ best chance of the night, his cross striking the arm of Pa-Modou Kah before Ousted saved from Marshall. Thomás was subbed off in the 73rd minute for Andy Rose, cutting his night short.
Clint Dempsey – 6
After watching him score seven goals at the Gold Cup, the Sounders were left wanting more from their star man. Dempsey tried to be the creative hub of the team, but struggled to get on the ball at times, even drifting back behind his center midfielders in an attempt to get more touches. He produced some of the Sounders’ best play, but he wasn’t the game-changer they needed him to be.
Chad Barrett (subbed off 63rd) – 3
Barrett had no impact on this game. He struggled to hold the ball up, rarely got touches, and couldn’t create anything when he did find himself on the ball. His partnership with Dempsey worked well when the Sounders played in Vancouver earlier this season, but Saturday was a whole different story. It would be surprising to see Barrett in consideration for the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Substitutes
Cristian Roldan – 4.5
Roldan came on in the 59th minute for the ineffective Pineda, and proved to be equally as ineffective. He was on the field for 30 minutes, but provided no impact – he might as well have not been on the field. Roldan’s form has slipped as of late, and he’ll need to work on regaining his spark from earlier in the season.
Lamar Neagle – 5
While he was more effective than Barrett, Neagle still left a negligible impression on the game. His most effective position remains out on the wing, not as a lone striker, and his struggles as a target central forward were evident in his lack of touches on the ball. He created one good chance, after a nice flick-on from Dempsey, but his short time on the field and central positioning limited his impact on the game.
Andy Rose – N/A
Subbed in after the 70th minute for Thomas.
