Seattle Sounders review
by thisredengine on May 18, 2025 12:30 AM EDT
10 comments
Part one of my posts leading up to the game against Columbus Crew. I will preview what the team needs to do to come back from two straight losses for our game on Thursday night. This was my first game that I missed this season and I watched it on a stream, so pardon me if some details escape me.
This past Saturday Red Bull New York experienced its first home loss. Prior to this game, Red Bull Arena was looked at as an impenetrable fortress that teams were worried about. The arena tends to be very loud even with limited attendance and the team just seems to play to the crowd. This past Saturday saw the team completely out played for the full 90 minutes and Bouna Coundoul continue his inconsistency as keeper. While he did stop three shots on goal, he gave up the near post in order to cheat the far post. This is just poor box control.
I don't want to take away from the Sounders because they played an amazing game, but the Red Bulls never got off. The defense was actually the one bright spot for our team as they held Seattle to four shots on goal, which while not an amazing feat on paper, is a great stat when watching the game live.
The midfield continues to be the weak spot for the team. Joel Lindpere was forced to play back due to the poor passing and never got to be the offensive midfielder that has been so effective this season. Ubiparipovic slowing down play was the highlight considering that the team rarely had to possession of the ball.
The biggest gripe though was the continued poor play of Salou and Juan Pablo Angel. This won't be a popular statement but Salou just never had that killer instinct, even when he had the defense beat in the first half and he continues to foul. Angel has four goals on the season, but he's been more effective on penalty kicks than inside the box. He's grown frustrated with the team's play and seems slower than in previous seasons. He just seems all around disinterested in the season. Going forward, I would like to see Conor Chinn in the starting line up. Younger players tend to play with a hunger that veterans lose in the tail-end of their careers. He may be able to breath some new life into a stagnant offense. With these issues, I'm not overly optimistic about the game on Thursday.
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I agree…not overly optimistic is pretty much how I feel going into Thursday night’s game for 1st place. Good call on JPA…he’s a shadow of himself this season. Don’t know if it’s lingering effects from the injury, or his heart just isn’t into it, but there is without a doubt a disinterest in his play. Yes, he’s got 4 goals…but come on…let’s just chalk that up as 2 goal right now. Anyone of us could have put a PK away.
Salou is a mess. Not sure what this guys issue is, but seriously, he just doesn’t have any killer instinct..and you need that in a striker.
I don’t know if Chinn is the answer, but at this point it can’t hurt. To think, a few games in it seemed like we’d be whining about our midfield all year…and right now, they’re not half bad there..but our forwards are atrocious.
I’ll be there Thursday night..and hopefully Hans has these guys a little more hungry and fired up.
by Nuno on May 18, 2025 10:11 AM EDT reply actions
The team is missing Kandji, that's the big thing
I think that some fresh blood and maybe having Salou coming off the bench you’ll have a more dynamic offense.
I know that we’re getting Henry after World Cup but we need to get a midfielder as well. The team is built for offense, but we don’t have anyone to set it up.
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by thisredengine on May 18, 2025 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re partially right Red. At the start of the season, I would have agreed 100% with lack of midfield, but since Nielsen has arrived, they’ve been better there. Another midfielder would be nice, but we need finishers up front. JPA hasn’t been that, and no one playing next to him has been either. Kandji looked like he was on his way there, but the injury set that back. I’m not sure Chinn is the answer either up front, but there’s no denying that the kid scores when he’s in there.
by Nuno on May 18, 2025 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Lindpere has shown sparks of being a solid midfield, this past weekend he just had to play back because the attack wasn’t able to move the ball forward and when we did pass back, it didn’t keep the offense moving.
The team needs to have a solid showing this next game and keep pressing the attack. I have faith in the defense to keep the ball away as long as they don’t allow Columbus to constantly pressure.
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by thisredengine on May 18, 2025 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I felt the Red Bulls were OK until they got into the final third and just got too pensive. Seattle organized their defense well as Angel was covered constantly. This means someone needed to “step up” and at least give the Sounders a few other players to focus on instead of just Angel up top.
I felt the team really needed to “feel out” Seattle with a few shots on net - easily stopped or not - in the first half just to identify where they could really focus their attack. Not only did they not do that, they attempted very few shots on net in the whole game. I understand the idea is to set up a shot that could score, but in a tight game, the Sounders had no reason to feel threatened despite stretches of the game where the Red Bulls got the ball and moved it up decently until, again, the final third.
Hopefully against a Columbus team that won’t have Schelotto, things could bear out as early as Thursday. Losing sucks, but it’s not as if these aren’t problems that can’t be solved from within - just a few tactical tweaks, a fresher mentality, and results will come.
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by John Fischer on May 18, 2025 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
A healthy Roy Miller on the backline wouldn’t hurt either. When I saw both Hall and Danleigh at fullback, I almost had a stroke. One converted midfielder I think they can survive with, two is asking way too much. Miller adds a good presence on the counter attack and is solid in defense, I think as good a signing by Soler as Lindpere was.
And tactics, I think Backe is a good enough coach that the tactical issues were resolved early in the week. Columbus will be a tough test though, especially since it’s the Island of the Lost Metros (Gaven, O’Rourke and Dilly).
Mighty Mighty Metro!
by Hans und Franz on May 19, 2025 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Hmm...
This post isn’t starting a blog vs. blog flame war, thisredengine? Come on!
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on May 19, 2025 3:26 PM EDT reply actions
Hahaha Leland
My hooligans vs. the Bloody Elbow Elitists!
But really, I think some spots with the other MLS blogs will be nice to get a different perspective.
Follow me on twitter @thisredengine
by thisredengine on May 19, 2025 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No worries…
I should start an Inter Milan blog, but then I’d actually have to be blogging full-time to keep up with MMA and soccer.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on May 19, 2025 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
SB is trying to ramp up their soccer blogs for World Cup so that may not be a bad idea. Just a thought.
Follow me on twitter @thisredengine
by thisredengine on May 19, 2025 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
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