Sounders face trap game in Frisco

By Steven Agen

The Seattle Sounders are 8-4-3 against FC Dallas in their MLS era. Before last season, the most notable match between the two was a 1-0 triumph for Seattle in a US Open Cup semifinal back in 2011. That all changed in 2014. First, the Sounders went into Frisco last April and knocked off the home side 3-2. Dallas were in a similar position to the one they find themselves in this year- leading the Western Conference.

The matches between the two escalated from there. In May, former Dallas star Kenny Cooper scored with a couple minutes to play, completing a 2-1 comeback victory for Seattle. The real drama, though, unfolded in November. The Texans maneuvered their way past Vancouver in the play-in round of the playoffs, aligning them with the Sounders in the Western Conference semifinals. A 1-1 draw in Dallas and a 0-0 result in the return leg put Seattle through on away goals. It was a cruel end for the plucky underdogs, who came awfully close to putting the Shield winners out at the first hurdle.

Now, Dallas have their chance for revenge.

The Sounders will be without Marco Pappa, Clint Dempsey, and Osvaldo Alonso. Brad Evans is still adjusting to life in the back four, and Chad Marshall apparently has a lingering knock that could have an impact on Saturday. This isn’t the Seattle team that waltzed into Dallas a year ago and took it to the league leaders.

This time, they travel with real uncertainty about who will start at right midfield, and questions about how to cope without three of their most important players. A friendly with Tijuana on Tuesday may still prove to have drained some life out of the squad, although Schmid did well with his roster management. It only adds another layer of difficulty for the visitors to shrug off, if they are to garner a result.

In short, it’s the perfect time to play the Seattle Sounders.

Andy Rose is the favorite to take over at right midfield. Cristian Roldan could be handed his first MLS start as an alternative. Both bring pace and energy, but there will be concerns about their defensive capabilities. At the very least, they’ll be a weak link in a Sounders midfield already missing their talisman.

Dallas will counter the Seattle eleven with one of the sharpest squads of the young season. The undefeated hosts will be missing Blas Perez, the polarizing Panamanian international who has troubled the Sounders before. However, they’ll have the services of Mauro Diaz and the speedy Fabian Castillo. The young Colombian will have ninety minutes to run at the slowest left back in the league, Leo Gonzalez. Canadian starlet Tesho Akindele will be called upon to lead the forward corps, and looked rather capable of doing so last weekend in Philadelphia.

It’s a Dallas side that feels practically built to give Seattle fits. The speed on the wings, stability in the center, and creativity going forward counter the Sounders’ pragmatic defensive paradigm. Moreso, Diaz will primarily line up against Michael Azira. The Ugandan turned down a national team call up to make the match, but will have a hard time containing the prolific playmaker.

Watch for Dallas to maintain possession, with Sigi Schmid’s men more than happy to sit back and counter. They’ll try to keep Leo Gonzalez as insulated and in-position as possible. Any mistake there leaves them chasing the fastest man in the league. The home side will carry the game against a shaky Seattle midfield, and it will take a low scoring, tight affair for the Sounders to take points home.

Obafemi Martins, the only star available to Seattle this weekend, will look to lead the offense with Gonzalo Pineda. The Nigerian’s pace over the top represents the Sounders’ best chance at a goal.

In truth, the match sets up perfectly for Dallas. They’re in great form. Everyone and their uncle is out for Seattle. The onus is on Dallas to correct last season’s disappointing finish. So, will Seattle weather the storm against the odds, or will Dallas take care of business and rid themselves of the ghost of playoffs past?

PREDICTION

Dallas 3, Seattle 1

Castillo 7’

Michel (PK) 28’

Martins (Rose) 49’

Akindele (Diaz) 55’