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Two Great Adjustments that Adjust Great Together

Dear Trixie,

Mornin’ kiddo. At last some good news to report. Wouldn’t you know it, the week after I wrote that Seattle needs to get serious and start getting some decent results, they head down to LA and make it happen. Not only did the Sounders win, and not only was it against LA, and not only were they playing away (away points are so crucial in this league), and not only was it by three goals, and not only did the defense keep a clean sheet, but we were playing a bit deep in our bench because of injuries. I’ll talk more about this in a sec. But first, let’s play Spot the Difference (trust me, this practice will be great for when you pick up your first Highlights magazine).

First, take a look at this (our lineup against the Galaxy):

Now, compare it to these.

Ok, so maybe there’s a lot of differences, but two big ones I want to point out to you are the backline and our attack.

Let’s start at the back. Depending on how you count, we were starting our 3rd and 5th string center backs (I’m counting this way: Marshall, Torres, Svensson, Evans, Alfaro). We also started our 2nd or 3rd (or 4th? I dunno.) string right back, Delem. And they kept a clean sheet. Now you can say, “Oh, LA isn’t the same team anymore. They lost Bruce and have a weakened attack missing Keene, Gerrard, and plus Gio is playing terribly. You’re comparing apples and oranges.” You *could* say that. But what if I told you those same four defenders also kept Atlanta, one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, scoreless. Atlanta was missing Josef Martinez and Almirón only played the last 30 minutes, but still. That defense even held Atlanta to fewer shots.

Against LA:

Against Atlanta:

See?

I don’t know if I believed Coach Schmetzer when, earlier in the season, he was talking about our backline depth. Now I believe him.

The other major change was a rearrangement of our attack. Morris was shifted to the left wing and Bruin started as the tip of the spear. I hate to lose Shipp because he’s such a workhorse in the midfield but I reckon he will be good to have in the rotation and for depth. Plus he might also serve as a defensive midfielder if Roldan or Alonso need to be rested or suffer an injury. That all remains to be seen.

But back to Bruin up top. Morris is more of an attacking goal scorer than Shipp and so that’s where his focus is. That said, he’s not great as a lone striker. On the wing, he’s got the speed to chase balls down or beat his mark on a through ball. His hold up play has also gotten stellar in the last year, making him dangerous with a cross. He’s generous and aware when Jones is supporting or making an overlapping run. And being on the left allows him to cut inside to his favored right foot.

What does that make for Bruin? Chaos in the final third. Will Bruin is making all the first runs into the box which will do one of two things: either 1) draw defenders to make room for Dempsey (who loves the late run) and either Morris or Lodeiro, depending on which side has the back door to goal, or 2) defenders let him pass to mark Dempsey, Lodeiro, and Morris, as well as an overlapping fullback (or two) and then he is goal-dangerous. If you let him alone, he’ll score. If you cover him, someone else will.

This strategy was all over the place against LA. The first goal he draws the defenders on the first run. There’s a chance in 20′ where, as the defender steps to him, he plays in Dempsey. He does that “first run” business on a chance at 58′. And the second goal’s cross was intended for him but Ashley Cole put in the own goal instead.

This new formation with Bruin at the top was the first thing I commented on following the final whistle against LA and it’s been reassuring to hear those sentiments echoed back by professional analysts who know a lot more about soccer than I do. Let’s hope Schmetz sticks with a formula that works. It’s kind of his M.O.

I have no idea what our lineup against the Revs will look tonight, but we only have to wait about 7 hours to find out.

Yours Making the First Run,

Uncle Nick