Sounders FC 2 (2-4-0) is on the road once again for an away clash with Western Conference opponent Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2-1-3). The Switchbacks will provide a stern test for the Rave Green, as the Colorado side has collected four points from two-positive results against Real Monarchs SLC and San Antonio FC, both of whom took all three points from their visits to Starfire Stadium.
While the Switchbacks line up in the same formation as S2, a traditional 4-2-3-1, the two sides play drastically different styles. S2 tries to control possession by building from the back, progressing through midfield, unbalancing the opposition and creating high-volume chances in the final third. Conversely, Colorado Springs is more than happy to cede possession to their opponents, sit back defensively, stay compact and look to hit on the counter.
Through six games, the Switchbacks have an average of 42-percent of possession per game, but this figure is a bit misleading. In fact, the number of points that the team collects from each game is inversely correlated with ball control. The second-most possession the Switchbacks have had in a single game -- 46-percent against Rio Grande Valley -- is the only fixture they’ve lost all season, as well as the only occasion in which the defense has let up more than two goals. But in the squad’s marquee win, a 2-1 result over Real Monarchs SLC, the team managed just 30-percent possession.
Further examination of the team’s defensive and passing data reveals a style of play which could pose problems for S2. The Switchbacks can be extremely effective in possession without cranking out a huge number of passes -- they’ve created a similar quantity of offensive chances as S2 despite attempting 130 fewer passes per game. They also complete 15-percent fewer of their long-passes than the Rave Green, indicating a reliance on hopeful long-balls and powerful clearances.
With the exception of the loss to Rio Grande Valley, the Switchbacks generate a massive number of defensive recoveries in their own final third, with the rest coming in the midfield, providing further evidence of their bunker-and-counter style.
What makes this tie so tricky is the role of the Switchback’s double-pivot. The two defensive midfielders, Kim Tae-Sung and Rony Argueta, win so many tackles and interceptions that it forces the other team to attack down the flanks. If they win the ball back, both players are extremely accurate when it comes to long passes, meaning they can turn a recovery in their own defensive third into a dangerous chance at the other end in a matter of seconds.
Here are three tactical matchups to keep an eye on.
Fight Fire With Fire
As seen in the result against RGV Toros, if Colorado Springs is forced to take the game to the opponent and dominate possession, they struggle to break down defenses and leave gaps at the back. And while S2 likes to build from the back and dominate possession, the personnel on offer means that if they if they sit back defensively, allowing Ray Saari and Francisco Narbon to clog the middle, the Switchbacks will struggle to generate chances. It will also force the Colorado Springs back four to push forward in support of possession, leaving acres of space for S2’s speedy wingers, like Shandon Hopeau and David Olsen, to hit on the counter.
Force Play Backwards
Not only are Argueta and Tae-Song vital to protecting the back four, but they’re also the heartbeat of the team in possession. Argueta and Tae-Song are adequate in possession but thrive on breaking defensive lines with accurate long-range passes, initiating plays in transition upon recovering the ball. However, the center backs and outside backs are drastically less accurate over distance. So if S2’s attacking midfielders can cut off forward passing lanes for the Switchback’s defensive midfielders, and subsequently force them to drop the ball off to their defenders they’ll boot it long, allowing S2 to recycle possession and initiate wave after wave of attack.
Improved Crossing
With Colorado Springs putting numbers behind the ball and staying compact defensively, they will cede the flanks to S2. If the Rave Green can work the ball wide and create 2v1 opportunities, then they’ll have time and space to whip in quality service from the wide areas. Crosses from the right flank, in particular, will be especially dangerous, with Olsen tucking in from the left to provide an option in the box and the No. 10 on hand to punish and half-hearted clearances.
