The last three days of the Sounders FC’s trip to Southern California included match action against UCLA yesterday, LA Premier Soccer League All-Stars today and the LA Galaxy tomorrow.
Each exhibition was a good way for the club’s players to get some work in in to build chemistry and cohesiveness before the start of the 2015 MLS regular season in March.
Wednesday’s contest with UCLA was largely a first team affair, while Thursday’s was more for the younger players to show their abilities in front of the coaches and technical staff. Here are some observations from both, ahead Friday’s trip to Carson to take on the Galaxy.
Forwards Scoring Early and Often
In Wednesday’s 5-0 victory over UCLA, the Sounders played a different lineup in each half and got goals from all four forwards (Obafemi Martins, Lamar Neagle, Chad Barrett and Kenny Cooper), which pleased the players and Head Coach Sigi Schmid. Full audio from Schmid’s post-match chat can be found below.
Pushing Darwin Jones out to the wing for the first half against UCLA was a productive move for Schmid, who got to see how well the rookie would adapt to a slightly new area of the pitch. Picking up the ball and pushing hard at goal, Jones was a constant threat and seemed frustrated he didn’t get on the scoresheet. Towards the end of the half, Jones and Neagle switched and it was the Darwin and Oba show up front, which also worked well.
Having a versatile forward like Jones (and Neagle for that matter) will surely benefit the club in its attacking endeavors this season.
The Work Never Stops for Chad Barrett
In speaking with Sigi Schmid about his forwards this preseason, he mentioned that Barrett was at times working almost too hard and tiring himself out. That tireless work ethic was on full display in the second half of the UCLA friendly. The 29-year-old was all over the pitch and showed his leadership qualities throughout. His tidy finish for the Sounders’ third goal was also a nice marker to have as preseason continues to push on.
More from Chad in the audio below.
Captain Brad Evans started the match at centerback alongside his close friend Chad Marshall, and their communication was excellent throughout. It didn’t stop there, however, as Evans was consistently the loudest player on the pitch barking orders at his teammates like he had been a defender his whole career. The eight-year MLS veteran has played nearly every position on the field for Sounders FC since joining the club in 2009.
Lowe and Ockford Continue to Build Partnership
For the entirety of the Thursday’s 50-minute scrimmage with the LA Premier Soccer League All-Stars, second-year defenders Damion Lowe and Jimmy Ockford worked together in the back, surrendering one goal (a lovely FK effort) in the 3-1 victory. Both players seem to have a good understanding of one another and complement each other well. Could be the start of something pretty special.
Time for Aaron Long at Right Back
Tyrone Mears got the first team minutes in the opening half of the UCLA friendly and Oniel Fisher played the second half. In Thursday’s scrimmage it was Aaron Long who slotted into the defense and held down the right flank. Schmid has been known to shuffle his versatile midfielders around a bit (just ask Brad Evans) and in this match, Long seemed composed and comfortable as part of the rearguard.
Your Referee, Mr. Schmetzer
Donning the lime green pinny for Thursday’s scrimmage, Assistant Coach Brian Schmetzer was the man tooting the whistle and running the show as the referee, as he often does in training. A very solid performance by the longtime member of the Sounders organization, who enlisted fellow members of the Sounders FC staff as his linesmen.
