By Steven Agen

When the Seattle Sounders kick off against the Montreal Impact on Saturday evening at CenturyLink Field, they’ll do so without a point in their first three league matches for the first time in the club’s MLS history.

A bye week for the international break has given Seattle plenty of time to game plan for play-maker Ignacio Piatti. But will the 4-3-3 come together in time to pick up a positive result?

Here are three keys to the match for the Sounders this weekend.

Stop Piatti, Stop the Impact

Didier Drogba may well make his first start of 2016 against Seattle, but make no mistake about who the engine is for the Impact attack. Nacho Piatti has half of the club’s six goals this season and has assisted on two others. The Argentine has become simply prolific in MLS, terrorizing defenses with set pieces, open play magic, and a nearly unmatched ability to finish.

Offseason additions Harry Shipp and Lucas Ontivero make the Impact better, but only in the context of what Piatti does. Osvaldo Alonso and his partner in the defensive part of midfield (either Erik Friberg or Cristian Roldan) must keep the diminutive wizard off the ball whenever possible, particularly via tight marking on counter opportunities.

It takes more than just that to stop Piatti. Chad Marshall and Zach Scott must deftly step up and close off the space available to him, should he fancy a shot from distance. Joevin Jones must keep proper spacing next to Marshall, lest he find himself sucked inside to help with Piatti while Ontivero runs in behind unmarked. In short, it’ll take a vigilant team effort from Seattle to stop Montreal’s danger man.

Score goals from open play or drop the 4-3-3

Sigi Schmid’s switch to a 4-3-3 lineup has shown promise in its speed, strength down the center, and effectiveness in utilizing the sides athletic outside backs. Andres Ivanschitz and Joevin Jones shine in the configuration. However, Seattle have managed just one goal from open play (and two total) in three MLS matches so far. It’s time for Dempsey, Valdez and co. to prove that this system is the right one for the Sounders.

Seattle created plenty of chances in their home loss to Vancouver, but at times devolved into aimless crosses. The 4-3-3 is new and may perplex them at times, but it is seriously concerning if they are already running out of ideas in their new tactical look. The Whitecaps’ solidity in dealing with the Seattle attack raised a question about if this is already occurring.

None of the three starting forwards have found the back of the net yet. With young Darwin Jones looking like the best option available off the bench, the forwards must either start scoring or the system must be dropped. Perhaps in a 4-4-2, with one of Dempsey, Morris or Valdez coming off the bench, will keep Seattle fresher over the course of an MLS season.

It’s time for Seattle to show why they’re in the 4-3-3 or it’s time to drop it. That means scoring from open play, and converting the new athleticism and dynamism many younger players are showing into tangible points in the table.

 

A chance to forget

As mentioned earlier, the start of the season has never been so unkind to Seattle. The formation hasn’t worked perfectly yet, but the Sounders have suffered from bad luck as well. Between a red card, two penalties and a goalkeeping error, Seattle’s 0-3 start feels like it could be called a fluke.

With two weeks since the last of the three defeats, a win against the Impact can reset the tone for Seattle’s season. A resounding scoreline will go a long way towards confirming the fluke status of the first month of the season.

A loss, and they’re in free fall. Four straight losses to start the year would start to look cataclysmic, and the questions about the viability of the 4-3-3 will start coming in rapid-fire.

The MLS season is long, and Sounders will not doom or confirm their playoff status in April. However, they are approaching the point where their sour start will have an effect on the rest of the season. Vital games in September and October start to be forecasted less as important games, and more as must-win ones.

Portland won MLS Cup after starting disastrously last season, but that’s an exception to a rule. Seattle need to turn the tide soon or their March and April will become a nightmare they can’t wake up from all season.

 

Prediction: Seattle 2, Montreal 0

Valdez (Morris) 38’

Morris 64’