James Riley defended valiantly against a
potent Toronto attack.
Aaron Weinberg / NSS
The Sounders FC are now tied with Chivas USA for first place in the Western Conference after their 2-0 victory over Toronto FC, Saturday April 4 at BMO Field. Goals by Freddie Ljungberg (15') and Steve Zakuani (45') left Toronto FC shell-shocked in front of a sell-out home crowd.
Though many things are going right for the Sounders, it's still early in the season and there's room for improvement. Here's an analysis of the team's play from forward to defense.
To Continue...
FORWARDS
Nate Jaqua played the full 90 minutes for Seattle as the post-up forward and was constantly hounding the Toronto defense. Jaqua assisted Ljungberg's opening goal and continued to be a physical presence up front. He remains one of the only out-and-out strikers the Sounders have and has played 90 minutes in two of the last three games. How long can Jaqua keep his work rate at a high level without head coach Sigi Schmid giving him a rest soon?
Ljungberg played 78 minutes in his first start for Seattle and scored his first goal in the 15th minute of play. Although coming off a hip surgery and only 30 minutes of game time last weekend, Ljungberg looked confident and surefooted when he received the ball. He provided a good link between the midfield and Jaqua and wreaked havoc in a playmaking-role that Fredy Montero played in the last two games. When healthy, Ljungberg is one of the most dangerous players the Sounders have and should be on the field as much as possible.
MIDFIELD
Quietly, the tandem of Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso and Sebastian Le Toux are becoming a threatening midfield core. Evans provides a steady presence as the true central midfielder and combined well with Ljungberg and Le Toux when Seattle kept possession on the right-hand side of the field.
The only word to describe Alonso's work rate is dogged. The Cuban was constantly breaking up Toronto's attack and set the tone in midfield as a hard tackler, which deterred Toronto from playing through the middle.
Le Toux has done everything that Schmid has asked him to do. Against Toronto, Schmid called on the Frenchman to play on the right side of midfield, and Le Toux did a tremendous job of hindering Toronto's Dwayne DeRosario. Le Toux is another player who's work rate has been extremely good and he has played a hand in several of the Sounders' goals thus far.
Zakauni was a disappointment on the left side of the midfield. Starting his second game on the left, the MLS rookie looked quiet and unsure, as several of his passes went astray. Zakauni had a tendency to drift into the middle too often when he had the ball, which hindered the Sounders' width going forward.
Although it was not all bad, as he was able to score the game-clinching goal just before halftime. This goal shows the predatory instinct the young player has and his play on the left side can only improve from here.
DEFENSE
A big round of applause for Zach Scott and James Riley, who defended valiantly against a potent Toronto attack. DeRosario had few touches on the ball in his left midfield position and Riley deterred the playmaker from probing the right side of the Sounders' defense. Riley helped provide an outlet when Seattle were defending deep and also sent some good balls forward to relieve pressure.
Tyrone Marshall and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado remained physical in the middle and never gave Toronto's forwards a yard. Hurtado even got a yellow card for coming to the defense of his teammate, Alonso, after he got into a scuffle with a Toronto player.
Kasey Keller has helped the Sounders become the first team in MLS history to start the season with three shutouts. Keller may not be the quickest or strongest player, but is a true professional goalkeeper that when called upon, makes the saves he needs to make.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
It will be interesting to see what lineup Schmid selects for Saturday's match against the Kansas City Wizards at Qwest Field. Montero (illness) and Ljungberg (hyper-extended knee) should be available, which means someone in the starting lineup at Toronto may be dropped.
Schmid may bring Montero back to play behind Jaqua after last weekend's absence, which means Ljungberg may take Zakuani's place wide on the left. Although Ljungberg will play in left-midfield, Schmid may give him the license to roam, as it is the most effective way to utilize his skills and creativity on the ball.
This means that Le Toux, Alonso and Evans may play a bit deeper to give Ljungberg space to work. Alonso and Evans in the middle will provide an outlet and allow for Le Toux and the other attackers to create chances in front of goal. Watch for a few early fouls on the other team by Alonso, just to show K.C. who they are playing.
The defense will most likely remain the same, nothing more to say about how well they have played so far. Keller is commanding between the post and the team's confidence will only be boosted in front of Seattle's home crowd.
The match this Saturday is sold out, which means the fans will be in full voice. The Sounders have scored five goals in front at Qwest Field, two before the 20 minute mark. Watch for the team to try to get an early goal to get the crowd behind them.
Reach Jesse Amorratanasuchad at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
