Seattle, WA
Sounders vs. RSL: Sounders continue to evade playoff spots
Seattle, desperately needing a house area win, didn’t get that, as an alternative falling 2-1 to visiting RSL in a sport they appeared to dominate. Seventy % possession, 16 photographs, and a 7-0 benefit in nook kicks. As a substitute of turning these nice stats into an announcement win, incomes momentum to complete out the 12 months robust, a mixture of a protection that inexplicably falls asleep at inopportune occasions and an offense that by no means wakes up created one other miserable loss because the Sounders battle to remain related within the playoff hunt.
Stefan Frei – 6 | Group – 5.9
Frei made two saves on 4 photographs on purpose. Clearly pissed off after the primary purpose, he got here out within the 47th to clear means exterior his field on a ball that he had no purpose to assault, however hey, I get it.
One factor I preferred: A pleasant 75th minute save prevented the sport from getting out of hand.
One factor I didn’t like: For no matter purpose, opposing groups are making each their top quality and low proportion photographs towards Seattle this 12 months and this sport was no completely different. On this match, RSL obtained two big possibilities contained in the six-yard field and completed each.
Going ahead: A goalie is in the end the product of his protection and alternative. Stefan is getting loads of alternative through his randomly porous protection.
Nouhou – 7 | Group – 4.9
Nouhou was robust towards RSL, defending effectively when tasked to take action and getting ahead at occasions to assist the assault. He ended up with 91 % passing together with two photographs and two key passes.
One factor I preferred: Nouhou confirmed intense effort for all the match and was particularly efficient late from a extra central space, showcasing 1-v-1 protection to stop any late RSL targets and hustling to present Seattle as many possibilities to acquire a constructive consequence as potential.
One factor I didn’t like: The attacking a part of his sport wasn’t there, and it’s a disgrace he was offered with an opportunity for an open cross within the 21st and a volley within the 40th, each moments that might have modified all the match, however they went wanting.
Going ahead: The left again had as many key passes as each large midfielders and the fitting again mixed.
Xavier Arreaga – 6 | Group – 5.7
Xavier was a gentle defender on a staff that made a couple of large errors which instantly led to targets towards. His 71 touches have been transformed to a 91 % clip, and he even added a key go.
One factor I preferred: Robust protection within the begin of the second half helped preserve Seattle within the match, and Arreaga easily transitioned ahead to assist the assault as they threw numbers ahead later.
One factor I didn’t like: Within the 32nd minute, Arreaga overcommitted defensively after jogging again to assist defend towards a breakout counterattack from Sergio Córdova. It was a scrambling play, however had he hustled to get better, broke down earlier and made Córdova extra predictable, there’s an excellent likelihood RSL wouldn’t have taken the lead there.
Going ahead: The defensive central pairing has restricted assaults down the center that have been an issue, however now they’re getting caught out of place in different methods.
Yeimar – 6 | Group – 5.5 (off 77’ for Medranda)
Yeimar had related stats to Arreaga, getting 75 touches and finishing 86 % of his passes. He wasn’t significantly busy on protection, with a single recorded sort out and interception.
One factor I preferred: For probably the most half, Seattle’s protection held RSL to half possibilities and restricted them to solely eight photographs.
One factor I didn’t like: Caught means up area on purpose one, purpose two occurred behind him and whereas it wasn’t his man who scored, he appeared misplaced defending a fast ball to the again publish.
Going ahead: Seattle has constantly missed this defensive project and whereas it’s by design to assault the ball and each staff defends this manner, it’s getting outdated seeing different groups capitalize in these areas once we can’t.
Alex Roldan – 4 | Group – 4.6 (off 85’ for Chú)
Alex has been largely absent from the latest Sounders matches, failing to indicate up on both aspect of the ball. In opposition to RSL, he was a giant a part of each targets towards, and once more couldn’t deliver offensive assist.
One factor I preferred: A 30th minute overlap and intelligent interchange led to a Seattle nook kick.
One factor I didn’t like: Alex touched the ball the second-most occasions within the match and didn’t earn a single key go. His protection was a whole mess on purpose primary: he was crushed in behind because the final man again explicitly to stop that on a set piece. The second purpose was a miscommunication between he and his brother, with neither marking the again publish which allowed an RSL game-winning purpose.
Going ahead: Alex might want to put this poor efficiency behind him.
Danny Leyva – 7 (MOTM) | Group – 6.4 (off 65’ for Bruin)
Though he subbed out instantly after the Sounders conceded their second, Leyva was an enormous brilliant spot on this match, controlling the midfield defensively, opening up teammates into house and being the fulcrum that a lot of the Seattle possession pivoted off of. He led the staff with three interceptions and two tackles, added a shot and a key go, and managed the match by way of robust build-up play.
One factor I preferred: Danny was filled with power, beginning with an early stress excessive and constantly spraying passes round and creating for others. His over-the-top passes have been glorious, particularly a fragile chip within the 49th that put Nouhou free into the field.
One factor I didn’t like: A foul go turnover early slowed Leyva’s attacking verve a bit, and he drained early within the second half, prompting a swap.
Going ahead: I’m unsure whether or not the sport plan was for Leyva to do every part, however that gave the impression to be when Seattle performed one of the best.
Albert Rusnák – 7 | Group – 6.6 (MOTM)
Rusnák performed his former staff and did effectively, scoring the one Sounders purpose and linking with teammates. His mixture with Leyva appeared fluid and Seattle created quite a lot of half-chances all through. Albert’s 94 touches included a key go, however the Sounders struggled to create large possibilities.
One factor I preferred: Within the 62nd minute it appeared just like the Sounders had damaged by way of and have been on to a deserved comeback victory. The purpose got here off some good interaction with a teammate that discovered Rusnák with an open near-post shot. He took it, not scared to shoot from exterior the field, and briefly tied the match.
One factor I didn’t like: A 53rd minute whiff on an open shot and earlier struggles within the field have been indicative of a whole staff that didn’t shoot (or join) once they had the chance.
Going ahead: Leyva and Rusnák did their job effectively, contributing to a lot of the finest Seattle possibilities, possible incomes one other look because the offense will get sorted out.
Jordan Morris – 5 | Group – 5.4
Morris once more began on the left however had nearly no success towards the RSL protection. He managed 24 touches however solely a single key go and two wayward photographs. Usually crowding the center, Jordan was requested to win many headers from a cross-heavy offensive scheme.
One factor I preferred: Within the 55th minute, Jordan had a gorgeous diagonal run into the field and crossed it again for certainly one of a number of half possibilities Seattle was unable to capitalize on.
One factor I didn’t like: Morris was misplaced for a lot of this sport, as Seattle forlornly despatched in hopeful crosses for him to overlook or head over.
Going ahead: Jordan struggles when he can’t discover house to work.
Nico Lodeiro – 5 | Group – 5.5
Nico labored arduous on this match however fell into the entice of crossing lots, and was unable to launch teammates into attacking positions with any regularity. As standard, he led the staff with an infinite 128 touches and added three key passes and a shot.
One factor I preferred: His 88 % passing was nice in possession as Seattle poked for holes in a compact protection, and it was a easy stepover again heel that created sufficient house for Rusnák to attain the lone Seattle purpose.
One factor I didn’t like: Lodeiro tried 13 crosses and was solely profitable on three, relying an excessive amount of on sending in hopeful balls that made the RSL heart backs appear to be world beaters.
Going ahead: Nico wants extra assist, and when he’s leaned on too closely, the offense will get one-dimensional.
Cristian Roldan – 5 | Group – 4.9 (off 77’ for Rowe)
Roldan moved again to the wing and struggled to affect the match exterior of some moments, as an alternative combining sometimes into house and unable to create as he has earlier this season. He accomplished certainly one of his six crosses for his solely key go, falling into the “cross and pray” offensive technique that failed as miserably for him as for everybody else.
One factor I preferred: Cristian fought arduous within the 12th minute, incomes what gave the impression to be a gap purpose for Seattle. Later, he had a fantastic run and cross within the 44th minute to earn a nook.
One factor I didn’t like: Roldan turned off defensively instantly after the Seattle purpose, failing to mark the bottom runner and never passing his defensive project off to his brother. Each mixed to look at Andrew Brody rating the game-winner proper in entrance of them.
Going ahead: Roldan had an opportunity to revisit his success at winger with none such success. He could also be a defensive mid whereas the lineups juggle but once more.
Raúl Ruidíaz – 5 | Group – 6.2 (off 65’ for Montero)
This was a tough outing from Raúl, who appeared to have scored early and was lively however appeared overmatched when requested to win dozens of headers towards guys actually a foot taller than him all match. He had 26 touches and two photographs.
One factor I preferred: Raúl did his job, scoring a purpose within the 12th minute that showcased his fast set off and purpose direct model. In a happier timeline, it will have counted, and Seattle would have walked to a snug win.
One factor I didn’t like: After the purpose was taken away, Raúl appeared to fade from the match. He solely had one different shot and a dismal 47 % passing fee, regularly lacking teammates and never capable of mix or create constantly.
Going ahead: Raúl doesn’t want a whole sport plan to revolve round him, however taking part in to not less than certainly one of his strengths ought to assist his output.
Will Bruin – 4 | Group – 4.3 (on 65’ for Ruidíaz)
Will performed for a half hour. He had 14 touches.
One factor I preferred: Bruin obtained a shot in his time on the sector, a header off a 76th minute nook.
One factor I didn’t like: Will didn’t make an affect in any respect.
Going ahead: Sadly, Bruin ought to not be anticipated to do greater than this.
Fredy Montero – 5 | Group – 4.6 (on 65’ for Leyva)
Fredy got here in as one other offensive choice with loads of sport time to have an effect and whereas he labored arduous, he failed to attain. He had 18 touches and two photographs with a key go.
One factor I preferred: Montero did an excellent job discovering pockets, practically scoring a again publish shot with a toe on a shot that may have tied it late. If he’d dragged his foot within the 89th minute, he might need earned a PK.
One factor I didn’t like: Within the 87th minute, Nico Lodeiro dialed up an ideal cross to an unmarked Montero from simply exterior the 6-yard field. Fredy MUST put that on purpose and may rating more often than not. As a substitute, he missed over.
Going ahead: Fredy, not like Bruin, is not less than getting possibilities along with his motion and instincts, however his finish consequence is identical as Will — not scoring.
Jimmy Medranda – 5 | Group – 5.1 (on 77’ for Yeimar)
Jimmy entered on the left aspect, pushing Morris up someplace to leap forlornly at crosses. Medranda had an lively 20 touches, contributing quite a lot of half possibilities.
One factor I preferred: A 91st minute shot was sadly blocked and a 95th minute first-time cross was stunning, begging for a again publish contact to tie the match.
One factor I didn’t like: Within the 79th minute, Jimmy had a fantastic run ahead that he fumbled out of bounds for an RSL purpose kick.
Going ahead: Medranda confirmed quite a lot of motion, which was frankly higher than many others, and would possibly earn him extra time.
Kelyn Rowe – 5 | Group – 5.0 (on 77’ for Cristian Roldan)
A uncommon sub for Cristian meant 20 minutes of Rowe on the sector, and he was lively throughout the center with out a lot affect, however not for a scarcity of high quality runs.
One factor I preferred: Rowe made sensible, vertical runs from deep midfield to the middle of the field and these runs made the RSL protection uneasy.
One factor I didn’t like: Eighteen ineffective touches and a single key go weren’t sufficient affect.
Going ahead: Rowe is keen and capable of play in all places on the sector, however isn’t translating that capacity into tangible stats.
Léo Chú – 5 | Group – 4.4 (on 85’ for Alex Roldan)
Léo Chú got here in to be one more offensive particular person in a crowded assault as RSL firmly parked the bus.
One factor I preferred: Chú accomplished all his go makes an attempt.
One factor I didn’t like: He had solely 4 touches, being fully unable to combine in anyway into an offense that was speculative crosses by the point he arrived.
Going ahead: Strike this one from the record of formations Léo will need to play sooner or later.
Timothy Ford – 6 | Group – 4.7
Ford was nice on this match.
One factor I preferred: As a lot as I hated the consequence, the VAR was appropriate to low cost the primary Sounders purpose, and the match was refereed with out making the ref the story (exterior of completely trucking that RSL dude).
One factor I didn’t like: My greatest grievance was {that a} excessive kick that just about took Raúl’s face off within the 58th minute was not given as a foul (and subsequent PK), but related excessive boots have been penalized towards Cristian.
Going ahead: It’s not Ford’s or Nouhou’s fault the Sounders didn’t win.
The massive Venezuelan confirmed a spread of ability as he put RSL into the lead. First, he made a lung-busting run from effectively inside his personal half to catch out the Sounders’ again line. As soon as he had corralled the by way of ball, he was affected person, making an attempt an outside-of-the-boot flick, then taking a second to take a seat Arreaga down, then ending cooly previous a number of scrambling Sounders.
Subsequent up: I’m not one to speak about “should win” video games in a league the place three wins in a row can put you in first place, however uhh, I might like to see that speak go away after a victory this week.