When the Sounders host Real Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon (2:00 p.m. PT, JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM; TICKETS) it comes at a pivotal time for the club. With just eight points from a 2-5-2 record, the Rave Green can enter the summer months with some momentum if a strong result holds against RSL.
Injuries are mounting and the FIFA World Cup call-ins are unavailable, which leaves lots of question marks this week. Here’s a few things to keep in mind.
1. Will we see a five-man back line at home?
Over the last several weeks, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has emphasized being “tough to beat.” Beginning with a mid-week match in Toronto on May 9 and again against Portland on May 13, the Sounders played in an uncharacteristic 5-4-1 formation, adding a third center back in front of goalkeeper Stefan Frei to bolster the defensive wall.
With Gustav Svensson and Román Torres with their national teams and Kim Kee-hee’s status in question after leaving the Portland match with a head injury, a center back trio of Chad Marshall, Tony Alfaro and Jordy Delem (who played mostly at center back with S2 in 2016 and in a pinch against Portland last week) would have to suffice.
Both matches in this formation were on the road, though – will Schmetzer go back to his 4-2-3-1 at home?
2. Where is the best fit for Cristian Roldan?
Cristian Roldan is a dynamic defensive midfielder alongside Osvaldo Alonso, but he has proven to be capable as a No. 10. This may not be an option, though, as Alonso battles a quad injury. Harry Shipp might factor into the lineup after playing with S2 over the weekend, which could push Roldan further into the attack, but it’s unlikely Roldan would leave the defensive midfield if Alonso is unable to play.
Midfielder Cristian Roldan could be the club's most effective option in the attacking midfield, but current roster availability may require him to anchor the defensive midfield. | Photo courtesy of USA Today
3. What about all these injuries?
Question No. 1 and No. 2 are really dependent on the injury situation. We know Jordan Morris is out – Víctor Rodríguez and Will Bruin are probably in the same boat. Alonso and Kim could be available, but that likely won’t be determined until later in the week. After appearing in the 18 against the Timbers, Shipp could see the field in MLS play for the first time since March 18.
4. Who will be up top?
After an ineffective offensive display against the Timbers, this is, perhaps, the biggest question heading into the weekend. At 35 years old, Clint Dempsey’s days as the lone forward up top are likely behind him. He played in that spot for 90 minutes against Portland, and it is evident he’s better suited to be play alongside another striker or drop back in the attacking midfield.
With no additional forward or like-for-like replacement available if Bruin is ruled out, Schmetzer could deploy a young winger – a la Henry Wingo or Handwalla Bwana – as the forward with Dempsey underneath. Veteran Lamar Neagle could see time up top as well, but he's been more effective as a Sounder in the midfield.
An attacking midfield of Mangus Wolff Eikrem, Dempsey and Alex Roldan with Bwana as the striker would certainly be unique, but the coaching staff won’t be ruling out any options at this stage.
