Sounders FC 2 (4-5-1) returns home to the friendly confines of Starfire Stadium for a rematch with Western Conference opponent Sacramento Republic (4-5-1) on Sunday, May 28. The Rave Green will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss on the road last weekend against Reno 1868 FC.
Sacramento typically line up in a 4-4-2 formation. But after going six matches in a row without a win, the Republic trotted out in a new 4-2-3-1 in their recent win over Tulsa Roughnecks. Regardless of how they lineup, one thing is certain: Sacramento will look to set the tempo of the match by dominating possession with a high-volume passing game. As a team, the Republic attempt 455.8 passes per game -- S2’s figure is 362.7 -- while completing six-percent more of their passes than the Rave Green.
One unique aspect of the Republic’s system of play is the role of wide midfielders. Rather than staying out on the flanks and pumping in crosses from the flanks, they both pinch so far in-field that they essentially operate as central attacking midfielders. The full backs exploit the spaces they vacate, and the two holding midfielders sit back and cover defensively.
The entire system seems to be built around getting danger-man Danny Barrera more involved in possession. Nominally a right midfielder, he tends to drift so far infield that he operates as the No. 10. And with the full backs pushing up into the attack, and thus dragging opposing defenders out to the flanks, Barrera has time and space in the central channel to pick apart defenses. And it works. Barrera has registered an absurd 33 chances created while completing 83.2-percent of his pass attempts.
Here are three tactical matchups to watch.
Sounders’ Past Versus Sounders’ Future
Former Sounders FC striker Sammy Ochoa serves as the offensive fulcrum for the Northern Californians. He leads Sacramento in both goals (4) and assists (3), with one of each coming in Republic’s 2-1 win over S2 in the season opener. Sounders Academy center back Sam Rogers will surely relish the chance to square off against Ochoa once again.
Rogers, 17, earned his first start in a professional match against the Republic on opening day. Sunday’s affair will mark his eleventh straight start in the heart of the Rave Green’s back line. In the interim, Rogers has developed into a promising defensive prospect, portending a bright future with the club. Most notably, Rogers has improved his aerial prowess markedly since winning the starting job. With Ochoa relying on crosses and his heading ability to generate goal-scoring opportunities, this will be an exciting rematch to watch.
Exploit The Space
One way that the Republic manages to dominate possession day-in, day-out is by shrinking the field. When they build out of the back, the defenders slowly creep forward with the rest of the team until the entire opposing team is pinned back in their own half. While this can be an effective strategy, it has one glaring weakness: It leaves acres of space in behind.
WhetherFelix Chenkam or Irvin Parra starts as the No. 9, look for them to stay high when the Rave Green are defending. When S2 wins the ball back, whoever is playing striker needs to exploit the space vacated by the opposing full backs by making inside-out runs and working the channels. If they’re marked closely, they can check towards the ball -- as if to show for a pass to feet and thus dragging their defender with them -- while guys like David Olsen and Shandon Hopeau can run beyond for long-balls over the top.
Double-pivot
S2’s ability to nullify Sacramento’s dynamic attack will rely heavily on the double-pivot o fFrancisco Narbon and Ray Saari.
Since Sacramento likes to dominate possession in order to unbalance their opponents, Narbon and Saari must remain disciplined in their positioning. By shielding the back line, they can cut out the passing lanes that Barrera loves to exploit. And when they win the ball back, they’ll play a pivotal role in quickly launching counter-attacks to take advantage of Sacramento’s high defensive line.
