Vancouver have yet to win away from home and are sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference. They recently fired manager Teitur Thordarson and put Tom Soehn in charge. The Sounders are pushing to make the playoffs and sit third in the West, coming into this match thinking they could get all three points.
Considering the opposite trajectory of each team’s season, it was easy to comprehend how each team tactically approached the match. Vancouver set up to defend and play on the counter whilst the Sounders fielded an attack minded lineup and formation.
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| First Half Lineups |
Vancouver set up in a 4-2-3-1. Hassli operated as the #9 playing the traditional center forward’s role. Chiumiento functioned as a second striker in the playmaker role, behind Hassli. The two front men along with Salinas and Camilo pressed well in the first half, as Seattle controlled possession. The two wide men for Vancouver were the most dangerous in attack as Camilo provided them service in dangerous areas and one v one situations.
Defensively, Koffie and Brovsky were deployed as defensive midfielders sitting in front of the center backs. This made things comfortable for DeMerit and Akloul in defense.
Seattle’s Strategy
Fucito operated as the striker. He was missing in action and was neutralized by DeMerit and Akloul. Freddie Montero was given a free role. He at times even operated as a forward, nearly scoring at the back post in the 21st at the back post. Evans and Neagle kept the width on the right and left respectively. Neagle gave RB Leathers trouble throughout the first half. However, he lacked a final ball which left Sounders fans wondering if Zakuani would have run riot had he been fit.
After the Whitecap’s goal, Rosales got more involved. Rosales worked off of Montero’s movement as an attacking midfielder. He did not seem comfortably in this role.
After the Whitecap’s goal, Rosales got more involved. Rosales worked off of Montero’s movement as an attacking midfielder. He did not seem comfortably in this role.
The best chance for Seattle came at the end of the half. Fucito was through on goal after Rosales played a perfect ball. However, he shot wide: Sounders supporters claiming he was shoved on the shot.
Lone Goal in the Opening Half
The opening goal was sprung in the 28th min from a move down the left wing. Camilo got the ball in space and brought it into the box. He cut inside of Riley and was brought down by Alonso, with the referee Mark Geiger pointing to the spot.
Sigis’ Haltime Adjustments Having a one nil lead on the road, Vancouver opted to continue with the 4-2-3-1 system that suppressed and frustrated the Sounder’s attack.
Sigi Schmidt made tactical changes at the break which benefitted Seattle. Evans moved to the middle in front of Alonso and Rosales moved wide right. The Sounders used Rosales as the spear head of their attack. Rosales Swung in crosses and challenged the LB Rochat. At times Salinas was used defensively to help Rochat contain Rosales.
Jaqua came in for Neagle in the 59th and moved to Striker as Fucito shifted to the left wing. Then a straight swap in the 65th as Montaño came in to LW for Fucito.
Finally the pressure from Seattle paid off in the 81st min as LB Wahl swung in a cross for Jaqua. DeMerit and Akloul didn’t head it clear and it dropped to Rosales who poked it in from 5 yards at the back post. It must be said the Cannon was quite indecisive, incorrectly electing to not collect the cross.
Finally the pressure from Seattle paid off in the 81st min as LB Wahl swung in a cross for Jaqua. DeMerit and Akloul didn’t head it clear and it dropped to Rosales who poked it in from 5 yards at the back post. It must be said the Cannon was quite indecisive, incorrectly electing to not collect the cross.
Hassli’s Enigmatic Performance
Hassli tried to hold the ball up and at times played off the shoulder of the center backs. However, he received little service throughout the game. Having scored two goals, he put in a true poacher’s performance because of how uninvolved he was in the flow of the game. His first came from a penalty. It was a cheeky chipped effort in which Keller dove to the side. His second, which leveled the match in the 85th min was arguably the goal of the season. Leathers played a long ball which was easily dealt with by Hurtado on the right side. Hurtado then passed the ball to the right corner of the 18 to Alonso. Alonso miscontrolled the ball and Hassli pounced, flicked the ball up and put a right foot volley that looped over Keller into the top left corner. The strike was similar to the Maxi Rodriguez goal in extra time of the 2006 world cup round of 16.
The Up and Down Performance of Oswaldo Alonso
Ozzie Alonso was the most central figure in the match. He operated as the lone holding midfielder in Sigi Schmid’s formation. Alonso prowled from touchline to touchline winning the ball back for Seattle and then distributing the ball well to his teammates.
In the 20th min the Sounders had a corner which was headed out by Vancouver. Alonso claimed the ball 23 yards out and ripped a left footed volley which forced a great save from Joe Cannon. He then scored what seemed to be the winner in the 85th min. Brovsky gave away the ball away on the top of the 18 and Alonso seized it and sent a low left foot shot into the bottom right hand corner. Then a minute later he was responsible for giving the ball away to Hassli who scored the equalizer.
Conclusion
Overall, Vancouver should be extremely happy with a point. The Whitecaps were well organized, but by the last quarter of the match were getting overwhelmed by the attacking pressure from Seattle. Vancouver created little, only offering the occasional attack on the counter. Seattle would feel hard done by after a very strong second half performance. However, they lack a striker (Jaqua and Fucito were ineffective) and Montero played as a deep lying striker, in between the Whitecap’s midfield and defense.
The game was good to watch. The Qwest Field faithful and the traveling Vancouver supporters provided a proper derby atmosphere. The TV commentary by Arlo White and Christopher Sullivan was great. White is the voice of the Sounders, but kept a neutral tone. Sullivan is one of the few FSC pundits who is able to breakdown a match and offer tangible insight. However, the fieldturf at times can disrupt the flow of passing and makes it hard to string medium length passes to a wide player and through balls in the air together.
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