By Toby Dunkelberg

With DC and LA’s losses on Tuesday coupled with RSL being down two goals, the Seattle Sounders are MLS’s only remaining hope in advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal. They face quite the uphill battle headed into Wednesday’s face-off against Club America. Tied 2–2 but down on away goals, the Sounders have to win or draw by 3–3 or more to earn a spot in the continental competition’s next round. They need a result against the reigning best team on the continent, at North America’s most feared venue, oh and it’s their second game of the season too.

Most are already writing it off as a loss, but there were a lot of positives for the Sounders in that 2–2 first leg tie. Seattle proved that their 4–3–3 will work for them and that their 4–0 win against LA wasn’t purely a fluke. This first formation switch in years allows Andreas Ivanschitz and Clint Dempsey to pull centrally and interchange in a way that makes both of them better. Joevin Jones’ bombing runs up the left add another layer to the attack, overloading that left side. All of which opens up more space for Jordan Morris on the right to stretch defenses vertically.

For the first 30 minutes that tactic worked worked to perfection for Seattle. With Erik Friberg and Osvaldo Alonso locking down the midfield and spreading the ball around, the Sounders saw themselves going toe-to-toe with Club America. They scored the first goal of the game and then later went up 2–1 before conceding the equalizer. In an open free-flowing game against Club America the Sounders managed to come away disappointed with a 2–2 result, because the way they played it could’ve easily been 2–1 or 3–1.

What this narrative forgets is that Club America can say the same exact thing. Their style on the road is to play the counter and get stronger as the game goes on, which is exactly what they did a week ago. The Sounders success in controlling possession early on was in line with America’s strategy, and for all that possession Seattle only scored on set pieces. With Quintero and Peralta as their forwards, Club America was more than happy to wait for counters. Their long balls over the top were consistently dangerous and it took impressive high line work from Seattle to limit Club America to two goals.

With the probable return of Darío Benedetto America improves their attack while also moving Quintero into a super sub role. Even if the Sounders hold America scoreless into the second half Club America has the luxury of subbing on Darwin Quintero. Quintero’s ability to punish opponents mistakes with his speed is uniquely suited to the super sub role at Azteca. He’ll be able to run circles around a tired defense who’s just starting to feel the effects of altitude. It’ll take a herculean effort from centerbacks Brad Evans and Chad Marshall to keep America off the scoresheet.

On the other side of the ball Club America is expected to roll out pretty much the same back line for their fourth game in a little over a week and a half. But their defense will also be bolstered by the return of starting goalkeeper Moises Munoz.

One thing making life a little easier for the Seattle defenders is that Club America’s captain, Rubens Sambuezza dislocated his shoulder ver the weekend. America’s saying he will play, and he did practice yesterday, but he certainly won’t be at 100%. That’s good news for Seattle as he was credited with the assist on both of America’s goals in the first leg and he was the main provider of the balls over the top. Add to that America’s poor performance a the Azteca as of late and the Sounders might just have a glimmer of hope.

At this point we know the Sounders could do it. That’s why despite all the things against them, the long travel, the 7000 foot elevation, playing Club America, being down two away goals, and playing in Estadio Azteca, no one’s completely counted out the Sounders. Is the Sounders advancing unlikely? Yes. But stranger things have happened.

The post Seattle Sounders v Club America Preview — MLS’s Last Chance appeared first on Prost Amerika.

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