After victories over LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, the Sounders ended a spell of three games in eight days with a disappointing tie at home to Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps. Given the league position of the opponent, it was supposed to be the easiest of the three fixtures for Seattle, but we have to give the Whitecaps credit for posing more of an attacking threat than expected.
So what did the Whitecaps do well offensively? Marc Dos Santos' side had only scored eight goals in their previous nine games but their enterprising wide play gave Seattle some defensive issues. Deiber Caicedo gave good width on the left and forced Alex Roldan into a more defensive starting position, with Caicedo constantly looking to take on the Sounders wingback. Seattle had much more of the possession but in transition moments Caicedo was a real handful and that stretched the normally solid back three.
On the other wing Cristian Dajome was very direct, and his pace and willingness to get in behind made life difficult for AB Cissoko, culminating in the leveling goal when Dajome caught the young Sounder defender with a penetrating run into space. The Sounders recovered after a shaky beginning to the second half and got a superb leveler from Jimmy Medranda but it will be interesting to see how the team respond to their first goals conceded from open play in MLS this season.
What to watch for
Brad Smith almost helped the Sounders win the game late against Vancouver with a cross that flashed through the 6 yard box. Smith’s final delivery has been inconsistent this year but if he can find the high level of crosses we know he is capable of his assist numbers will skyrocket. The Colorado Rapids come into the July 4th match up with the Sounders in fourth place in the West but you could argue they are still a team trying to find their identity. They have flirted with a 3-5-2 system but have had mixed results. They tried this system against SKC last time out and were comprehensively beaten. Add a poor first half in the same shape against LAFC it is more likely we will see Robin Fraser’s side in a more classic 4-2-3-1. This shape will allow Michael Barrios to operate in a wide role and look to provide the same type of threat we saw from the Whitecap wingers.
Battle for midfield
In the midfield area we will have a match up of US International teammates with Cristian Roldan and Kelyn Acosta going head to head. While Acosta can play in a deeper role for Gregg Berhalter, he is more of a box to box midfielder for Colorado so his movements forward will have two be monitored. Roldan has operated in a role ahead of the defensive midfielders but can drop in to help make it difficulty for Acosta to receive possession and dictate.
Home comforts
The Rapids have won 3 straight at home scoring 9 goals in the process and will have a full crowd back for the July 4th match up.
