It is only fitting that the Seattle Sounders (14-14-6 48 points) opponent in Thursday night’s Western Conference Knockout round match at CenturyLink Field ( 7:00 p.m PT) will be Sporting Kansas City (13-13-8, 47 points).Why you ask? Sporting KC swept the two-game season series between the two teams. KC beat the Sounders 1-0 March 6th in Seattle to open the MLS season. The two teams played a second time in KC on July 24th and just like the first meeting Seattle was on the short end once again. The second defeat ( 3-0 ) was Seattle’s low point of the season. The Sounders managed just one shot which came in the 87th minute and was five yards wide of the goal. The defeat left Seattle ninth in the ten team Western Conference.
SOUNDER MAKE CHANGES
The Sounders organization replace head coach Sigi Schmid with interim coach Brian Schmetzer two days later and brought in Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro on July 27th resulting in the team winning eight of its last 12 games despite the loss of Clint Dempsey due to a medical condition related to an irregular heartbeat. The Sounders turnaround can be attributed to Schmetzer switching the team’s formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1, which took advantage of Lodeiro’s creative play in the middle of the pitch (eight assists and four goals in 13 games ), the return of Panamanian Center Back Roman Torres from a knee injury and sensational forward play by rookie Jordan Morris. Morris leads the team with 12 goals.
SPORTING KC DOMINANCE
KC is unbeaten in five games against the Sounders dating back to 2015. Sporting KC is 2-15-5 all-time in road game since 2011. Sporting KC lost to the Portland Timbers last year in the longest penalty-kick shootout in MLS history.
MATCHUPS
Sporting KC marksman Dominic Dwyer scored 16 goals this season, placing him fifth on the MLS list for most goals scored. The versatile Dwyer is a classic forward in that he can score with both feet, can run on to the ball or dribble the ball towards opposing defenders and take advantage of his speed and quickness once inside the box. Seattle Center backs Roman Torress and Chad Marshall will need to make sure Dwyer is marked when he makes his runs into the Seattle goal area.
KC midfielder Beny Feilhaber recorded 13 assists in the regulars to tie him for third most in MLS and is a versatile playmaker who can create chances for himself and teammates if given time and space with the ball in the middle of the field. Seattle midfielders Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan will try to jam the middle of the field and deny Feilhaber time and space while creating room for creative Nicola Lodeiro to distribute the ball to Jordan Morris who will try to run behind the Sporting KC backline. KC will bring a physical style intended to intimidate and slow down the Seattle attack.
GAME NOTES
Season Stats
Seattle Sporting KC
34 Games Played 34
14 Wins 13
14 Losses 13
6 Draws 8
44 Goals 42
43 Goals Conceded 41
329 Shots 366
153 Shots on Target 146
350 Fouls committed 420
414 Fouls suffered 392
58 Offside 62
190 Corners 198
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