Your Seattle Sounders are on a torrid run, scorching Eastern Conference teams at home and launching themselves into the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. But if there is one criticism of this squad over the last couple of months, it is that they’ve yet to achieve a signature win to show that they can do more than burn MLS basement dwellers or USL sides. Austin FC are not a great team – perhaps not even a good team – but they are just one point behind Seattle in the Western Conference standings and are tough at home. Let’s look back at Seattle’s win against New England and show how they can take another step forward in Austin.
Sussing out Seattle
Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák are two of the hottest attackers in the league right now, and opponents have yet to adjust. Seattle is playing much more direct, but opposing teams are still allowing space in behind.
The 2023 Sounders struggled to break down defenses sitting deep. Pedro de la Vega’s signing was, in large part, a response to this issue. That defensive strategy carried over to the early weeks of 2024. In their first meeting this season, Austin came to Seattle and sat in a defensive shell. Though the Sounders absolutely peppered their goal with shots, the match ended in a disappointing scoreless draw. But Seattle’s early season struggles seem to have awoken opponents’ hopes for attacking success at Lumen Field and drawn them up field. Until teams adjust once again, Morris and Rusnák will continue to feast.
Morris’ ability to hold off defenders and receive the ball in the middle of the pitch is making Seattle’s offense tick. The Sounders are no longer dependent upon long possession sequences to generate chances:
Their build-up becomes more strained with Ruidíaz at forward. Unable to launch the ball centrally and retain possession with Morris, Seattle tried to send balls into tight windows on the wings, which the Revs found easier to defend:
Playing Ruidíaz centrally forces Seattle into tight combinations between the defensive lines that are beautiful to watch, but a lot more difficult to pull off:
Still, Ruidíaz has looked much more active and effective in his substitute appearances. Raúl’s feet are not as quick as they once were, but against tired legs, the difference is much less noticeable.
