Sounder Strategy: The Los Angeles Nemesis

It’s time for a playoff rematch and one last chance to rewrite the narrative on the 2024 season. It’s the Sounders against LAFC, again. The matchup is a brutal one. Seattle has repeatedly put themselves behind the 8-ball against LAFC by conceding untimely goals. But perhaps the tide is turning.

In the U.S. Open Cup this August, the Sounders scrapped with the Black and Gold and lost on a controversial penalty decision. In their First Round playoff matchup, LAFC showed their vulnerabilities against a Vancouver side that dominated the midfield and forced LAFC to adjust. Let’s look at how Vancouver took LAFC to the edge of elimination, and how Seattle can use that knowledge to defeat their nemesis.

Overcoming injuries

Injuries never happen at convenient times, but right before the Western Conference Semifinal is particularly grievous. Paul Rothrock, whose introduction to Seattle’s starting XI over Raúl Ruidíaz sparked the team’s mid-season turnaround, is a game-time decision with a quad injury. Nouhou, Seattle’s one defender with the pace to keep up with Bouanga and Bogusz, has yet to return from international duty and is dealing with an apparent illness. Even if both players make the gameday roster, it looks increasingly unlikely that both will start.

Rothrock

Rothrock’s potential absence is difficult, but coach Brian Schmetzer still has decent options. With his central midfield group healthy, Cristian Roldan can shift to the right wing spot. While Roldan has not been very productive on the right, his inclusion would allow Seattle to replicate some of Vancouver’s success by having Roldan drop into the midfield at times with João Paulo and Obed Vargas to create a numerical advantage.

The other, more bold option is to start Georgi Minoungou and Pedro de la Vega on the wings. Seattle’s most dangerous attacking moments have come in transition, and winger Cristian Roldan is not a threat on the counter. Starting two young wingers in a must-win game is risky, but the tactical logic is sound and fortune favors the bold. Seattle will need to take advantage of potential transition moments and Jordan Morris needs attackers who can keep up with his pace.

Nouhou

The absence of Nouhou is a simpler choice. Jon Bell is defensively sound, but has no MLS playoff experience. Reed Baker-Whiting is more of an attacking threat, but had the unfortunate experience of being torched by Bouanga for a goal in MLS play already this season. Neither player has Nouhou’s speed or one-on-one defensive acumen. Brian Schmetzer has at least had the opportunity to observe practice all week with his preferred choice. Your move, coach.

What about starting Ruidíaz?

No one can take away Raúl’s legendary performance five years ago against LAFC in the playoffs as the Sounders fought their way to MLS Cup. Five years later, Raúl is less effective, but more importantly, he does not fit Seattle’s playing style. He cannot play target striker or win in the air. He does not have the speed or strength to be effective in transition play, and against LAFC, that is what Seattle needs most out of their forward.

To feed Raúl high-quality chances, the Sounders would need to establish possession in the final third. Trying to push numbers forward and hold the ball in the attacking third is reckless against LAFC, especially without the benefit of Nouhou’s individual defending. It plays right into LAFC’s greatest strength: direct service to their wingers with room to run. We have seen this exact script work against the Sounders far too many times.

Although their most recent match against LAFC in the Open Cup ended on a disappointing penalty call, the Sounders established their defensive line deep enough to make the match a tense and even affair. Establishing a deeper rest defense and ceding possession can level the playing field. Against a superior opponent on the road in the playoffs, Seattle has no good reason to leave themselves vulnerable to direct attacking play.

If the Sounders try to play against the ball, Raúl becomes more of a false 9, dropping into midfield to receive, turn, and distribute to the wings. With Rusnák and Morris out injured in their last match, the Sounders used Raúl to drop into midfield or do his best leading the line. But with Rusnák back healthy in his central creative role, Ruidíaz becomes redundant. Rather than starting him at forward, Raúl’s skillset is more valuable in desperation time late in the match or as a substitute for a penalty shootout.