Who: Seattle Sounders v. Club América Where: Century Link When: Tuesday 2/23/16, 7:00 pm Watch: FS1 Welcome to the 2016 season!....I think. CCL counts doesn't it? Definitely need to win, probably, okay almost assuredly, by more than a goal before heading down to the Azteca. I wasn't too optimistic about getting a good result here prior to Oba peacing out. Now, let's hope América sends a mostly B-Team. Oh, and our first look at new turf!
Woo!!! First game thread of the year!!!!! We probably won't get as lucky as last time when Tigres sent their academy team up to Seattle and got shellacked, but we can always hope! The good news is that America "only" finished in 6th in the Apertura and are currently in 4th in the Clausura with a 3W-3D-1L. I can only hope this means America isn't very good this season and are more focused on regular season results than CCL. America were home on Saturday going 3-3 with Cruz Azul and are "away" at cross town rivals Tigres on the upcoming Saturday. Regardless, this is going to be a hard one for the Sounders.. My wild stab at a 4-3-3 line-up is: ------------Valdez/Dempsey/Morris ------------ ------------Ivanschitz/Alonso/Friberg------------ -Jones --------Marshall/Evans -------- Mears- -----------------------Frei----------------------- One note is that the actual positions for non-defenders is largely notional as the 3 forwards are likely to be shifting positions fairly regularly and I'm sure Ivanschitz and Friberg will be doing the same. If we do end up going with a 4-4-2 (and I'm not sure how considering how sparse the midfield is), one may expect it to be something like: ---------------- Valdez/Dempsey ----------------- --Ivanschitz ------------------- Morris or Roldan -- -----------------Alonso/Friberg ----------------- -Jones --------Marshall/Evans -------- Mears- -----------------------Frei-----------------------
Actual or reported? The game is part of the Sounders season ticket package, so I'm sure the reported attendance will be over 30k. Actual attendance will probably be in the 25k range.
I don't know... maybe I have been drinking the rave green kool-aid, but I have a better feeling about this one than previous match-ups with liga MX teams. We shall see... can't wait!
Can't wait for the match! With that said the Sounders need to win this match by at least a couple goals because the return leg at Azteca is going to be rough, that's not a shocker to anyone. If anything I just want the team to stay competitive through the two legs, regardless of the result tonight I am just happy the Sounders are back in action!
Huh.. Nailed the lineup if you ignore the declared positions. It’s your @SoundersFC #SCCL STARTING XI:FreiMearsEvansMarshallJonesAlonsoFribergIvanschitzMorrisValdezDempsey— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) February 24, 2016
Wooioo!!!! Deeeeemmmmppppsssseeeeyyyy!!!! And no sooner do I type that out than, shockingly, America scores. *sigh*
What's with the Sounders losing focus after a goal? Seems to be somewhat common for us to give up goal within a few minutes of scoring one.
More than that. Did it in Dallas in our last game last season. Also happened several times throughout the season.
Well, that's probably that. All things considered though, our boys did alright. And if Dempsey can bring that kind of game into league play, I feel much better about our chances this season.
Upsides: Created chances offensively. Looked composed in possession. There were times when they really seemed to put America on their heels. Hinton was right about Jones. Apart from a few over ambitious giveaway passes, I really liked his play. Downsides: Defense caught ball watching. Sometimes 3-4 guys collapsing on the ball leaving others completely unwatched/marked. Compared to the LA game they seemed to give America a whole lot more time and space in the midfield. Look forward to having Torres back in the defensive lineup.