Sounders to restructure back line ahead of Sunday’s match
Published 1:30 am Friday, March 17, 2017
By Todd Milles
The News Tribune
SEATTLE — After all the pre-game, raise-the-championship pageantry subsides Sunday — oh yeah, the Seattle Sounders have to worry about a high-caliber opponent in their home opener.
One that holds an MLS-record eight-game road unbeaten streak during the regular season, dating back to 2016.
And the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls bring to town arguably the best goal-scoring striker in the league in Bradley Wright-Phillips, whose 24 regular-season goals led the MLS last season.
“They are dangerous on the counter(attack), especially with the way they play and their ability to press a lot,” Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “(Midfielder) Felipe adds another guy into the attacking third (of the field), so they send a lot of guys forward. “We have to be aware of the spaces they leave because they press so high.”
Once again, the Sounders are shuffling their defense around after learning center back Roman Torres was suspended for one game for his first-half conduct Saturday in a 2-2 tie at Montreal.
Torres intentionally kicked Ambroise Oyongo near the top of Seattle’s penalty box in the 37th minute — an action that Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said he dealt with this week.
“I’ve corrected that with Roman,” Schmetzer said. “It won’t happen again.”
With Torres out, Seattle can go one of a couple ways with its defensive starting lineup Sunday.
The expected adjustment will be moving Gustav Svensson over to the middle next to Chad Marshall from right back, and starting Oniel Fisher on the right side.
Svensson struggled outside Saturday as Ignacio Piatti tallied two goals for the Impact — in the 17th and 51st minutes.
“They kind of overloaded their left side and Gustav was on a little bit of an island on his own,” Schmetzer said. “His performance in that game I take some responsibility for (not getting him help).”
At the same time, Schmetzer praised Fisher’s 31-minute run off the bench in the second half that changed the team’s momentum, trailing 2-0.
“(Fisher) was a little bit more dynamic up the right flank that Gustav was,” Schmetzer said. “As you can see, he is a young kid who has some pace.”
That was the alignment Seattle showed in training Friday at CenturyLink Field. It is obvious Schmetzer values Svensson’s experience, especially against a scorer such as Wright-Phillips.
“He would tell you he’s more comfortable at center back or holding midfielder than at right back,” Schmetzer said. “He is versatile. And he’s been really good with this group.”
It appears Svensson will occupy one of the two defensive spots. If he remains at right back, expect Tony Alfaro to play center back — and Fisher to be one of the first reserves to play.
