Columbus Crew SC hosts Seattle Sounders FC in a highly anticipated MLS match Saturday night. Andrew Maniskas/The Pit
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]olumbus Crew SC will look to rebound after a tough outing at RFK Stadium against D.C. United tonight as the Black and Gold welcome in the potent attack of Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, and Seattle Sounders FC.
While this doesn’t seem like a rivalry match, supporters will tell you otherwise as there is no love lost between the two groups of fans that stems back to 2013 and a rather heated week leading up to the USMNT hosting Mexico.
Putting the bad blood aside, this is a match that Crew SC absolutely need to have to get back on track and show that they’re going to be among the elite in MLS.
What to expect from Seattle Sounders FC
Starting XI (4-4-2): Frei; Remick, Evans, Marshall, Mears; Pappa, Alonso, Pineda, Rose; Dempsey, Martins
Standing: 16 points, Third Place, Western Conference
Form: W-L-W-W-W, 12 points in last five matches
Stefan Frei has been in great form as of late, surrendering just three goals in the last six matches. There’s nothing misleading about this has he’s made 26 saves this season so far, including four clean sheets. He is the unquestioned number one in the net for Seattle.
In front of Frei is a solid back four that includes former Columbus Crew defender and 2008 MLS Defender of the Year, Chad Marshall. This will be Marshall’s first match at his old home as he attempts to stifle the Crew SC attack. He will be paired up with Brad Evans. Remick and Mears will cover the flanks to round out the back four.
The midfield is a good one for Seattle. Osvaldo Alonso is one of the best midfielders int he league and is the perfect mix of offense and defense, including stellar passing. He hasn’t hit his best form of the season yet, and that’s a scary thought. Gonzalo Pineda has had an up and down season thus far, but he is getting far more comfortable as the season progresses. Pappa and Rose like to push forward, so expect to see them almost as extra forwards if they are in possession and looking to strike.
What else needs to be said about Dempsey and Martins other than they are deadly together? The duo up top have scored 11 of the 13 goals for Seattle’s vaunted attack and Dempsey has assisted on four. Only LA Galaxy have seemed to figure out how to stop them this season. If you’re going to beat Seattle, you have to limit their touches.
What to expect from Columbus Crew SC
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Clark; Francis, Parkhurst, Pogatetz, Grana; Tchani, Saeid; Meram, Higuain, Finlay; Kamara
Standing: 11 points; Fourth Place, Eastern Conference
Form: D-D-W-W-L, 7 points in five matches
Columbus Crew SC was hitting on all cylinders until they ran into the staunch defense of D.C. United last week. It was far and away their worst performance of the season, so there’s a lot to improve upon from last week.
Steve Clark didn’t have a bad match but was more than unfortunate in the goals surrendered to D.C. There shouldn’t be any concern here as there wasn’t much he could do.
The back four did not have a great match last week, especially on the flanks. Francis and Grana were not themselves and both were eventually subbed off in the loss. Francis still seems to be favoring a knock, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chris Klute get a run out this match, but with Francis not on the injury report, one would have to assume he’ll be playing. Pogatetz and Parkhurst never seemed to get settled in last week and the result was surrendering a couple of bad goals. The situation goes from bad to worse as now they will be tasked with shutting down Dempsey and Martins.
Tony Tchani was one of the few players last week who had a good match. He was all over the place and imposed his will on anyone who got close. D.C. United eventually figured out that the way to win last week was stay the heck away from number 6. Mohammed Saeid was still solid, though wasn’t as good as he’s been in recent matches. There’s still little concern here in the central defense as this pairing is the best option while Wil Trapp recovers from concussion symptoms.
The attacking four had their chances last week, but they were few and far between. This is still a dangerous attack that, when they click, are among the best in the league. Meram had the winner against Seattle last year, but the idea should certainly be to feed Kamara as much as possible.
Prediction
This is a tough match and, arguably, the toughest one so far this season. D.C. United exposed some flaws in the back four last week and one can be certain that Seattle will try and do the same. Adjustments were more than likely made this week in training, so don’t expect the Black and Gold to just roll over. The issue here, though, is that Dempsey and Martins are white hot and don’t look like they’re going to slow down any time soon. If Columbus can stop them, there’s a chance. However, with such a bad match last week, I don’t know if that’s going to happen.
Columbus SC – 1
Seattle Sounders FC – 2
