Seattle, WA - The Seattle Sounders would welcome Sporting Kansas City to Lumen Field this Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 as Seattle looked to defend it's first place crown in the Western conference. With a victory here in Seattle, the Sounders would virtually lock up first place in the Western conference, ensuring that the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs would run through Seattle in the West. Seattle would be missing some key players for this match, but would have a strong group ready to go against Kansas City.
Pre-match
Starting lineup for your Sounders
Goalkeeper: Stefan Frei assumes his usual spot in goal for Seattle, donning the captain armband.
It is interesting to note that Seattle does have two goalkeepers on it's bench for this match, a sign that if the Sounders get ahead early, that they may look to keep Frei fresh and pull him early.
Backline: The defensive unit would see Xavier Arreaga, Shane O'Neill, and Yeimar in front of Stefan Frei.
Midfield: The midfield group was composed of Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Alex Roldan, Nicolas Benezet, Kelyn Rowe, and Jimmy Medranda
This group intrigues me the most. To have JP, the Roldan Bros joined by the rest of the group in the midfield screams a strong attack to me, so I would not be surprised to see Seattle aggressive early.
Attack: The lone attacker up front for your Sounders would be Will Bruin.
Bench unit: The bench unit would be composed of Nouhou, Fredy Montero, Spencer Richey, Leo Chu, Stefan Cleveland, Ethan Dobbelaere, Danny Leyva, Josh Atencio, and Abdoulaye Cissoko
Don't be surprised to see Chu come off of the bench again in this match and make an impact. He did so last match against Colorado with his assist to Cristian Roldan that would equalize the game.
First half action: Sporting would look to bounce back from their loss to Vancouver quickly, getting a shot on Seattle keeper Stefan Frei in just the third minute. Frei would make a great leaping save, but it would go to waste as the deflection would find it's way to Sporting's Remi Walter, who would curl in a laser from the top of the box. In just the third minute, Kansas City would go up 1-0. From that point on, it would be all Kansas City in terms of both possessions and shots. Seattle would get less than a handful of chances on goal, and ultimately looked sloppy and outmatched. The Sounders would reach halftime without a real chance on Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia, and looking frustrated.
Cristian Roldan shows his frustration
Halftime notes and adjustments: The clear and obvious issue in the first half for Seattle was the lack of communication. Several instances of passes to an area where a player was not, through balls being missed. General communication issues were obvious, and you could see several times throughout the match that the Sounders were raising their arms at each other as if to say, "What are you doing?" That is what needs to be addressed at half, because with these issues taking place, Seattle had not been able to get a real chance on goal. The Sounders were only able to put up three shots, two on goal. None of them made KC keeper Tim Melia break a sweat. Seattle needs to improve communication and get Cristian Roldan involved more come the second half, as when he did touch the ball, chances were created.
Second half action: The Sounders came into the second half aggressively, getting several set pieces. Things got heated when Seattle would have the ball in the box, and Cristian Roldan was doing his best to screen Sporting's Tim Melia in goal. Out of frustration, Melia would grab Roldan from behind and do his best impression of UFC and WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, by suplexing Roldan. Initially, somehow Roldan would be given a yellow card. After a review, referee Ismail Elfath would grant Tim Melia a yellow as well. Truly one of the most bizarre things I have seen in a game, not sure if I will see it again. Shortly after that play, Seattle would be able to draw a corner. Joao Paulo would whip the cross in, initially finding Cristian Roldan's head. The ball was on it's way to goal, and Nico Benezet would help guide it home as his header would find the back of the net to equalize this game at one all in the 57th minute. Seattle would keep the aggression up as this game continued to it's finish, but it would be Kansas City who would score the next goal. Johnny Russell would be hit in stride as he streaked towards goal, firing his shot past Stefan Frei and giving Sporting the 2-1 lead in the 79th minute. Fredy Montero and Leo Chu would come on in the 82nd minute of the contest in hopes of equalizing, but their efforts would not be successful despite the four minutes of extra time granted. Cristian Roldan would get a strong shot on goal, but it would clang off of the cross bar to the disappointment of the 32,139 in attendance at Lumen field. The match would end with a score of two to one, Sporting taking three points home.
Sporting's Johnny Russell celebrates the winning goal
Match reflection: This match was certainly unique. Kansas City did exactly what they needed to do from their point of view, with a goal early on to help them try and bounce back from their loss to Vancouver, a key to the game that I noted in my match preview. Seattle looked disconnected and sloppy early on, not able to get a real chance on goal. In the second half, the Sounders came out aggressive with their attempts on goal. That aggression would be shared by Sporting keeper Tim Melia, in the bodyslam/suplex play that I have never seen in all of the soccer that I have witnessed over the course of my life. After that play, the goal by Seattle was a perfect example of channeling the frustration and using it for good. Benezet equalizing was great and it was hope for Seattle that they could get another and win this game. Sporting would have other plans, and it was disappointing to see Johnny Russel, someone who has been very critical for KC, get a chance on goal with a full head of steam. The keys that did the Sounders in would be their miscommunications in the first half, as well as seemingly letting their guard down against KC, something that they could not do. Sporting came in ready to be aggressive and bounce back, and they did just that. The first place spot in the Western conference remains up for grabs.
Nico Benezet had the lone goal for Seattle
Player of the match
Sounders official player of the match: None listed
Charles' player of the match: Cristian Roldan
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