The Seattle Sounders welcome Real Salt Lake to CenturyLink Field on August 14th at 4pm
By Toby Dunkelberg
Once is chance, twice is coincidence, but three’s a pattern. The Seattle Sounders and Brian Schmetzer will be trying to prove that their impressive performances against LA and Orlando City are the new norm when they play host to Real Salt Lake today at 4pm (coverage on FS1).
The Sounders, currently 9th in the Western Conference by six points will need a miraculous run over their remaining 12 games if they want any hope of making the playoffs. In fact they’ll need to average around two points per game, a tough task for any team let alone one that’s struggled as much as the Sounders have.
And yet there’s a feeling amongst the Rave Green faithful that it’s entirely doable. Nicolas Lodeiro looks to be the real deal so far, and it’s making everyone around him play better. His ability to pick out runners allows Jordan Morris to finally put his perfect timing to good use. His presence also keeps defenses honest allowing Dempsey more space to operate in, which allowed him to grab three goals last week. And finally Lodeiro’s defensive work rate shifts some of the defensive burden off of Roldan and Alonso which in turn allows those two to flex some of their own creative muscles.
All these combined to make for a tough time for Orlando City. But Real Salt Lake isn’t like Orlando City. Salt Lake plays an experienced high line with Kyle Beckerman in midfield to shield them. They also have a potent attacking midfield in Javier Morales, and Burito Martinez. And Joao Plata in front of them who’s more than eager to continue to befuddle the Sounders backline.
Ultimately this game will be won in the midfield.Whichever team can effectively cut down the space for their opponents playmakers will come out victorious. Lodeiro and Roldan were impressive in the last two weeks but they were also gifted acres of space to run around in and plenty of time to pick out passes to Morris and Dempsey. A veteran like Beckerman won’t make the same mistake. Likewise Morales and Martinez are two of the more creative midfielders MLS has to offer. Alonso and Roldan have proven themselves capable of stopping them but it’ll take a concentrated effort.
Even still, at home and needing the points I expect the Sounders and Lodeiro to continue to develop as a team, and that bodes poorly for an RSL team that’s winless in their last two.
PREDICTION
Seattle Sounders 2 – 1 Real Salt Lake
