How much you are invested in Leagues Cup likely informs your opinion of Friday’s Leagues Cup opener. This competition has varying levels of fan support, but it offers more soccer and an opportunity for Seattle to better understand where and how they should tactically position themselves. Unlike last time the Seattle Sounders stepped onto Lumen Field, they dominated in this match, controlling much of the play before cruising to a comfortable 2-0 win over Minnesota United. A second half red card for a bad tackle meant Minnesota played down a man for thirty minutes, and Seattle did well to take advantage, overcome their sputtering offense, and eventually break through. Some tactical and personnel changes helped organize things, and while they traded off some defensive shape, the more fluid attack created more opportunities. This match was a good palate cleanser after their last MLS match.
Leagues Cup has an upside (another competition, chance to try different lineups and tactics) and a downside (potential for injury, focus away from league play). For these ratings, I’ll focus on a rating for each player, brief comments, and what that player needs to show in Leagues Cup to make it worthwhile.
Goalkeeper
Andrew Thomas – 7
Thomas got a surprise start in the Leagues Cup and responded with a shutout. It wasn’t perfect, but this was a solid outing that highlighted his good qualities and showed a few things to keep working on. His decision making in distribution is particularly rough, and a 51st minute pass through the defense up the middle was an awful choice. The potential is there, though, and while passing can be worked on, it's hard to teach his incredible instincts and positioning, like in the 71st when he chested away a 1-v-1 attempt after Minnesota got in behind.
Show: Improved distribution and organization, as his shot-stopping and athleticism are already elite.
Defense
Nouhou – 6 (off 70’ for RBW)
Nouhou was what we have come to expect, covering defensively and getting into the attack with limited forward effectiveness. The defense was on display during the 20th minute with an essential defensive recovery in the box behind a beaten Jon Bell. His spacing opened up Pedro de la Vega in front of him, and the gaps that had shown up on the other side in the previous game were better managed. After taking a yellow, he was eventually subbed out in a subdued match.
Show: A valid connection between himself and PDLV, both by Nouhou’s defensive prowess unleashing Pedro’s creativity and by choosing the right moments to step forward and provide offensive support.
Jon Bell – 7
Bell got another start, this time in Leagues Cup and had some great first half plays. His upside was on clear display in the first half, as he sprayed the ball around the field from the back with a dazzling combination of pinpoint diagonal passes and over-the-top through ball attempts. Offensively, he got two excellent chances, however he was unable to finish them off. Being dangerous on set pieces is a massive upgrade for this team’s offense. The downsides for Bell were a number of poor angles and slow track backs that offered big chances in transition for the opponent.
Show: Defense that never shuts off, and elimination of those big positioning errors that Minnesota nearly victimized.
Jackson Ragen – 6
Ragen did a bit of everything. He had the second highest xG in the match due to some stellar set piece headers that hopefully mean goals are coming soon. Defensively, he did exactly what you want and expect, combining with Bell to hold the middle strong for the entire match.
Show: Continued versatility on both sides of the defense, and better understanding of when he doesn’t have speed cover in the back.
Alex Roldan – 6 (off 76’ for Leyva)
This was more like the old Alex who was integral to taking advantage of the three-back formation that Seattle slides into when attacking. He was active, finding two big chances created and a shot for himself. One of those chances was a phenomenal pass to Albert Rusnák in the 19th where Roldan created offense merely by being able to find the vertical connection through traffic. Alex came out late and Seattle’s offense improved, but it’s hard to say how much of that was due to the man advantage.
Show: More glimpses of his old form and contributions, regaining that killer addition, especially in the offensive end.
Defensive Midfield
João Paulo – 5 (off 57’ for Party Rockin’)
JP started and went 57 minutes, but struggled immensely to positively impact the Sounders’ possession. Unable to combine cleanly going forward, he was relegated to a single shot that is still in orbit. He had 86 percent passing and six recoveries, but it was concerning how much the center of the pitch was forsaken in this match while JP was on it. Perhaps most notable was how much the shape improved (and the Sounders with it) when JP was subbed for a different option in the center of the pitch.
Show: A resurgence back to an elite player meeting expectations, not the end of the road for this proud warrior.
Obed Vargas – 6
Vargas got an opportunity to combine centrally and looked better in spurts, however his consistency remains in question. Of particular concern is his lack of connection whatsoever with PDLV, whose movement befuddled Obed in the first half. The few times he got forward and combined with the offense, Vargas looked tentative, although a 23rd minute dribble was excellent. His cross late in first half stoppage time deserved a better finish from a wide open Bell.
Show: The ability to carry the load in the middle, regardless of who he’s paired with.
Attacking Midfield
Pedro de la Vega – 5 (off 56’ for Ruidíaz)
PDLV got another start, which is great to see. This time, he found a more natural pairing on the left with Nouhou, whose defensive cover helped release Pedro on the wing. Although PDLV stayed more conservative with his roams, the Seattle coverage around him was more structured and he was better integrated into the offense. He still isn’t bringing a lot of incredible play, but there were flashes of brilliance. Some direct tries were hopeful, but the 14th minute through ball attempt for Jordan Morris showed a growing understanding of the players around him.
Show: Continued acclimation to, and cohesion with, his teammates.
Albert Rusnák – 6
Rusnák was again quiet with JP and PDLV on the field, and awoke after some more familiar pieces were added in the second half. Like the rest of the team, Albert was much improved, and his 59th minute volley was a fantastic try that forced a save. His connection with Paul Rothrock and Morris drove the team forward in a more dominant second half. Although he took a solid penalty, a tremendous save denied him from adding to the final tally.
Show: The ability to work with PDLV.
Cristian Roldan – 6
Cristian started on the right wing, dropped back central, ended as the right back, sold hotdogs, and did scarves up. Seattle’s most versatile player was effective all over the field, but really came alive as a playmaker in the second half as the Sounders created pressure before and after the red card. Having a part in each of the goals, Roldan had a brilliant through ball to the Rock in the 85th, and earned the PK in the 91st as Seattle’s overwhelming pressure took over.
Show: Where his best position is.
Forward
Jordan Morris – 8 (MOTM)
Jordan started strong, and you could see the start of connection among the front four. An earlier holdup play in the 6th had Morris finding a vertical Pedro run. He nearly got on the end of the return in the 14th. It wasn’t great, but it was improved. There were 31st and 47th minute opportunities when Jordan and Pedro were together on the break, and both should have been goals. The comparison between the halves was stark, as the offense got more dynamic and aggressive after the midfield solidified in the second half. This is when Jordan was unleashed, scoring an 87th minute goal and having a beautiful 94th minute assist, taking over the match and ensuring that Seattle would take full points in their first Leagues Cup match.
Show: That he can carry the load, and can work with PDLV.
Substitutes
Raúl Ruidíaz – 5 (on 56‘ for PDLV; off 70’ for Chú)
Raúl entered and then quickly exited. His biggest impact was getting absolutely demolished on a transition moment by Hassani Dotson. This earned Dotson a red card and Ruidíaz a sub and a considerable limp.
Show: Speedy and full recovery.
Paul Rothrock – 7 (on 57‘ for JP)
The combination of removing JP and adding Rothrock was transformative, adding a willing wide tactician and organizing the middle. Suddenly, Seattle was out on the break, combining, doing heel flick nutmegs, and playing with the signature Rothrock energy. He was fantastic, using his excellent read of the game flow to first find Morris with an excellent cross in the 87th and then, hustling to the final whistle, getting the return ball from Jordan to finish the scoring in the 94th.
Show: Whether he can be effective as a starter, or just a super sub.
Léo Chú – 5 (on 70’ for Ruidíaz)
Léo came in for an injured Raúl and took up space on his customary left wing. Bringing some flashy runs up the width, Chú found two shots, although he only had a 57 percent completion rate. Much of this was from doing nearly everything right except the final ball, which eluded him. Getting nine of his 13 touches in the Minnesota penalty area shows pure attacking energy, but there were a number of times when Morris got out on a break and didn’t have the support that he needed. Chú clearly had the speed to join Jordan on those transition moments but was nowhere to be found in the 72nd minute.
Show: Consistent effort and output.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 (on 70’ for Nouhou)
Reed came in after the red card as Seattle was in a great position to push his more attacking oriented left side play. This didn’t translate too well to individual success, with RBW having a single off-target shot, but his positioning and aggressive forward passing helped push Chú high and into offense. Unfortunately, much of Minnesota’s best attacks came while they were down a man, and Reed struggled to find the inside support for Bell to limit these opportunities.
Show: Better defense to play fullback, better offense to play wing. Either works.
Danny Leyva – 6 (on 76’ for A. Roldan)
Leyva got a rare longer runout, and he took his opportunity and ran with it. Spraying the ball around as a second 10, Danny had a fantastic match. He had a shot, created two big chances, moved the ball quickly and directly, and was very impactful with his distribution. It’s hard to imagine a much better short outing for a player.
Show: Solid defense, in order to keep his cultured distribution on the field.
Referee
Joseph Dickerson – 7
Dickerson is the ref the Sounders have had the most in the last few years, and again he did an excellent job. Although the teams weren't super aggressive towards each other, he correctly carded Nouhou for his foul and had an excellent 49th minute advantage call that came back when the play didn’t develop. Very few fouls were missed that were worth noting, and he quickly and assertively red carded Dotson off for his tackle on Ruidíaz.
Show: He’s not the only decent ref the Sounders get.
Upcoming: Necaxa in the Leagues Cup, after Minnesota has a go at them midweek.
What the Sounders need to show: They are going far enough to find the right lineup and rotation for success in more interesting competitions.
