Three keys as slumping Sounders host MLS’ best team, FC Dallas

The Sounders have hit the nadir of their MLS history. Sitting at rock bottom of the Western Conference standings halfway through the season is abysmal, especially considering Seattle has reached the playoffs in every season since it joined the league. By the numbers, the Sounders still have a shot to qualify this year. But if things continue like this, it seems quite unlikely. They have 17 points from 17 matches, with a 5-10-2 record and the worst goal differential in the league at minus-seven.

Their opponent in Wednesday night’s match at CenturyLink Field, on the other hand, is quite literally the opposite. FC Dallas is the best team in the league, sitting at first place in the West and in the Supporters’ Shield standings, and tied for second in goals scored (31) in all of MLS. This is a very, very good team that is doing everything right whereas the Sounders are doing everything wrong.

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In the two teams’ first meeting of the season, FC Dallas defeated the Sounders in the Lone Star State after a not-often called penalty against Chad Marshall was put away by Mauro Diaz and a late Michael Barrios goal – thanks to a sleepy Seattle back line – finished the away side off. Both teams have a quick turnaround for this match, though the Sounders will have a slight advantage in that regard because they don’t have to travel.

Here are three keys to Wednesday night’s match, which you can hear at 7:30 on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM (pregame coverage begins at 7) or watch on Q13 FOX:

Dallas’ speedsters likely to torment Seattle’s defense: Whether on the counter or after build-up play, Dallas has a wealth of speedy, agile attackers. It’s almost become cliche at this point to make note of it, but it’s a huge part of the team’s success this season and in recent years. Dallas even has enough of this sort of player that it often brings in a fresh face or two late in the game to torment tired legs. Seattle may still be missing Brad Evans, who might not be the quickest defender out there but would be better against Dallas’ attack than Zach Scott. I don’t think many fans would complain if rookie Tony Alfaro got the nod Wednesday night, especially if Evans is unable to start. Alfaro is very quick and composed, and despite his lack of experience and raw skill set would probably impress in this match.

The Wall of Dallas won’t easily fall for the misfiring Sounders: The number on every Sounders fan’s lips after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Galaxy is 22. That’s the amount of shots by Seattle, five of which were on target and none of which went into the net. Dallas doesn’t have the objective best defense in the league; it’s pretty average in terms of goals allowed this season but it has improved immensely in recent weeks. The last time Dallas conceded was June 6, in a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo. Dallas’ early-season form, including a 5-0 drubbing by the Dynamo on March 13, wrecked the team’s numbers. Right now, Ryan Hollingshead, Walker Zimmerman and company are some of the best defenders in the league, and they’ll make it much harder for the Sounders to solve their scoring woes. Clint Dempsey needs to pick up the slack and start scoring goals like he did last month with the USMNT, and Jordan Morris will need to muster up every ounce of ability he has if the team has any hope of breaking down Dallas’ defense.

The Sounders may have to rotate: July is by far the most congested month for the Sounders, as their fixture list is packed with a whopping eight matches when you include the friendly against West Ham and the Open Cup match in Los Angeles. After playing a full match last Saturday, some players will probably be pretty worn out. Nelson Valdez came off relatively early in the second half partially due to what coach Sigi Schmid called “fatigue.” I already mentioned Alfaro as a potential rotation into this match, but I think we may see some others. Joevin Jones could pushed forward again with Dylan Remick starting behind them if the former isn’t too fatigued. Andreas Ivanschitz and Aaron Kovar didn’t start on Saturday, so I think we can expect them on the team sheet. The coaching staff may have more faith in the players’ fitness than I’m expecting, but I think we’ll see at least a handful of changes to the starting XI from the weekend.

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