Seattle is heading to Colorado to try to pick up 3 points and get into a better groove then the current draw pattern they have been in (Seattle is 1-2-3). They left Philly with a late salvaged point from El Flaco in stoppage time to rob the bank of PPL Park. Also walking away with a point against the best in the east during a downpour is always a benefit to us from Seattle.
This week I am not expecting too much of a difference in lineup this week other then the possibility of seeing Brad Evans out of the midfield and Mauro Rosales filling that controlling void. I expect to see the starting 4 in the back of James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Leonardo Gonzalez. Midfield is expected to be Erik Friberg, Osvaldo Alonso, Mauro Rosales and Steve Zakuani and up top will be Fredy Montero, returning to the line up, and O’Brian White.
Seattle has no suspensions at the moment and Pat Noonan is the only probable for the 18 man game roster. Rosales jumping back and taking Evans’ spot would make sense with the way he has been controlling and moving the ball around. Montero came in late against Philly and looked solid with the cast on his wrist (surgery 2 weeks ago) and expect I him to start. What I do not expect to see is the crazy man subbing that coach Sigi Schmid did last week. I expect to see a much more solid attacking trend but I do not expect to see us with 6 up top with Ozzie (Alonso) back with 3 defenders for the course of the game. Pressing the Rapids keeper and trying to pick up a few goals early will be first and foremost for Seattle.
There has been lots of talk about the Sounders back line but last week it held solid and the only goal given up was on a set piece. Keeping Hurtado and Parke playing together makes the most sense at this point in the season. With Montero back in the lineup that lets us have a solid player like Rosales come in and secure that attacking midfield and play off the wings like Sigi wants.
Colorado will be looking for a win after back to back MLS losses. Mastroeni should be coming back after being out a few games and newcomer Caleb Folan has started to peak some interest in his home country of Ireland with his recent minutes (and goals). With their current record of 3-2-0 Colorado have been sitting toward the top of the table but a lose to Seattle would see them dip down mid table if the rest of the Cascadia teams pull out wins as well.
Former Sounders Sanna Nyassi and crowd favorite Tyrone Marshell both played in the Charity Shield match in Seattle during preseason. It will be interesting to see if either get minutes this game.
The Rapids have no current suspension and their injury list is: OUT: FW Quincy Amarikwa (L ankle sprain); FW Macoumba Kandji (L knee ACL tear); QUESTIONABLE: FW Conor Casey (L hamstring strain); PROBABLE: MF Pablo Mastroeni (R Achilles strain); MF Sanna Nyassi (L hamstring strain).
My prediction is 2-1 Sounders
Kick off is at 630 PM pacific time from Dicks Sporting Goods Park. National coverage will be on Fox Soccer (Match Day Live in Canada only).
(image courtesy of AP)
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