SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. FC DALLAS

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. The Dallas make the journey to The Evergreen to face us at Royal Brougham Park on a Saturday night. Temperature in Seattle is expected to be a lovely 22º (72ºF) at kick-off, although the humidity is expected to be 53%, and that is less than ideal for exertion, and thus not ideal for football. Officials should co-ordinate water breaks accordingly, as that is a responsible thing to do.

What: MLS league match, Seattle Sounders FC v. FC Dallas.

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Saturday 22 June 2024 CE.

At Stake: Sounders FC can rise as high as 13th place with a victory, 12th if they can hit over four goals past the Dallas. Should the Dallas prevail, we could drop as low as 21st. For those schvitzing over MLS Cup qualification: The Sounders have fallen out of the last berth and are two points adrift of Austin FC. Sounders FC are currently in 18th place in the league table on 22 points, 19 points adrift of leaders Inter Miami CF. 

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Remember, if you don’t like the commentators for home matches, you can listen to the KJR simulcast by selecting Seattle Home Radio in the control layer’s audio settings.

Where to Listen: KJR 93.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Let’s get this three consecutive home matches off on the right foot, yeh? All hands to action stations. All hands to action stations. This is not a drill. This is not a drill. Gather your mates, and assemble with the faithful in the Brougham End. An ye should fail this jam up the pubs and each other’s dwellings and such. The lot of ye need to make noise, and a fair amount of it. I’d say a level that has not been seen in the Pacific Northwest in known history. This is the third match in eight days and the lads are likely knackered. You are going to be what helps to propel them to victory and to not only battle the interlopers from Planet Texas, but also to fight against their own fatigue. Damage control parties stand-by. Flood tubes two and four. We are not fucking about, Dallas. Welcome to Green Hell.

It’s Sounders FC football under the Saturday night lights at Royal Brougham Park. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

We’re getting good results and are 4-4-2 in our last 10, and that’s no small accomplishment,

but we’re still hopelessly mid-table. Where are we going, and what’s the plan?

The Good News

The match against the Dallas is the first of three consecutive matches at home. There will also be six days turnaround between the Dallas match and Chicago, and Chicago and New England. We’ll be well-rested for those.

Sounders have been getting consistent results since 30 April amassing a record of 4-4-2 over that stretch. This is good form, and a level of consistency we did not possess in the period from the start of the season through 27 April when we were 1-3-5 in the league. So this would be better. Although I don’t agree with everything the Gaffer does, it’s difficult to argue with recent results.

Although Sounders FC’s home record hasn’t been exactly stellar (2-5-1), the Dallas have yet to record a victory on the road (0-3-6) this season.

The Dallas concede an average of 1.56 goals/match, meaning they’ll be the more likely team to concede two goals, statistically.

Full credit to the Gaffer for rotating the squad well, over the past week, and also giving developmental minutes to some of our younger, less experienced players. I only wished he hadn’t done it in the match at Houston, where he changed the entire system we play in a match where the players weren’t used to playing with one another in a competitive setting.

The Bad News

What follows the next three matches, is extremely unkind in terms of scheduling, as starting with the New England match at home, Sounders FC will play five matches in a fortnight. So we’ll not only be battling our opponents, but also the miserably hot weather, attrition, the pressure of the first US Open Cup Quarter-Final tie the club has played in eight years (to be fair two of those eight years the tournament wasn’t held due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and fatigue.

The Dallas appear to be climbing out of a rough stretch that had seen them only win three times (3-5-8) from the start of the season through 8 June. Dallas has won their last two matches by an aggregate score of 7:3.

The Dallas have two proper dangerous forwards in Musa (8 goals) and Ferreira (4 goals). Our centre-halves will have their work cut out. If we fall asleep at the switch, these will punish us.

This is our third match in eight days. Although I give the Gaffer props as far as managing minutes played for the squad, it’s still going to be a meat-grinder of a match.

Outside of Raul’s seven goals, and Jordan’s four, no one else has more than two. That is a rather nasty gap when it comes to secondary scoring. Although there’s a small consolation here, at least with regard to Saturday’s match, in that the Dallas have similar problems.

The Side I Would Select

Well, I’d say it depends on who you don’t want to be absolutely gassed in the 70th minute. Here’s who I’d have in the team assuming there’s been no short-term loans from the Sounders FC Reserves announced.

Rationale: Nouhou should be good for about a half of football, and he can be spelled with fresh legs on 70’ or so. Ragen played last Sat and midweek, both times the whole 90. So we need a left-centre-half with fresh legs, but Jon Bell is answering the call for the Reggae Boys - Thus: It’s time for Nathan to turn up and have a massive match for us. Gomez Andrade can probably go 60’-70’ for us, as he only played 45’ midweek. If Gomez Andrade reaches his limit, it makes sense to put in Stu Hawkins - Stu will see us through - mark my words. I don’t care how badly he might want to play, Cristian Roldan needs a a rest. The Gaffer needs to do like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do and just put a hand on his shoulder and say “I need you for Chicago, son”. In Cristian’s place I’d have Baker-Whiting. Reed will provide some energy, and not only help hold, but also get outside and help provide support on the right flank. Cody Baker at right-back for me as Cristian needs a rest and Alex is injured. Joao Paulo is good at the 8 for me as he played sparingly midweek, that and we’re a lot better with him in the team. Rusnak has played 179 out of 180 minutes the last two matches. We go with Josh at the 10. Rothrock has played well enough but he played nearly the entire last two matches, so maybe it’s Braudilio’s time to shine? Jordan has played 150 out of the last 180 minutes, so maybe it’s better to let Raul take over for now, maybe Jordan as a substitute on 60’ or 65’ if need be.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Nathan

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Baker

LDM   Joao Paulo

RDM   Baker-Whiting

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Atencio

RF     Rodrigues

CF     Ruidiaz

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

Although the Gaffer has been a bit better at rotating the side, I wouldn’t be too shocked to see this lineup on Saturday night. He’ll have the medical staff do all the things: Ice bath/cryo chamber (though there is debate on how much cryo therapy truly restores a player), electrolyte supplements, maybe even lighter training, etc. Although the media report lists De la Vega as “questionable” I have reason to believe he won’t even be on the substitute’s bench. If Pedro is still not all the way back to fitness, then this is the correct decision.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Cristian

LDM    Joao Paulo

RDM   Vargas

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Rothrock

CF     Morris

Intangibles

If we have any short-term loans from the Sounders FC Reserves, I haven’t heard anything about it. I live in the back, you see.

The referee for Saturday night’s match will be Malik Badawi. Badawi has presided over 20 MLS league matches.

Sounders FC record in matches refereed by Badawi: 0-1-0.

Dallas record in matches refereed by Badawi: 0-0-0.

General notes on personnel

Dallas transfers IN:

Sali (Farul) €2.78M

Urzua - reserves

Pondeca - reserves

Henry-Scott - draft

Farrington - draft

Gonzalez (New England Revolution) free

Maurer - re-signed

Korca - re-signed

Delgado (Independiente del Valle) loan

Musa (Benfica) €9M

Sainte - reserves

Dallas transfers OUT:
Martinez (Cordoba) free

Quignon (Belgrano) free

Smith (New England Revolution Reserves) free

Obrian (Austin FC) undisclosed fee

Jimenez (OFI Crete FC) free

Carrera (North Carolina FC) loan

Mulato (San Antonio FC) loan

Comparison against common opponents

SJ 3:2 SEA

DAL 2:1 SJ

(against SJ: SEA 0-0-1 -1, DAL 1-0-0 +1) edge DAL

SEA 5:0 MTL

DAL 1:2 MTL

(against MTL: SEA 1-0-0 +5, DAL 0-0-1 -1) edge SEA

DAL 1:3 VAN

SEA 0:2 VAN

SEA 1:1 VAN

(against VAN: SEA 0-1-1 -2, DAL 0-0-1 -2) edge SEA

SEA 0:0 ATX
ATX 2:1 DAL

DAL 2:1 ATX

(against ATX: SEA 0-1-0 0, DAL 1-0-1 0) edge DAL

STL 1:2 SEA

STL 0:0 DAL

DAL 2:0 STL

(against STL: SEA 1-0-0 +1, DAL 1-1-0 +2) edge DAL

SEA 1:1 COL

COL 2:1 DAL

(against COL: SEA 0-1-0 0, DAL 0-0-1 -1) edge SEA

HOU 2:2 SEA

DAL 2:0 HOU

HOU 1:1 DAL

(against HOU: SEA 0-1-0 0, DAL 1-1-0 +2) edge DAL

RSL 2:0 SEA
SEA 1:1 RSL

DAL 3:3 RSL

(against RSL: SEA 0-1-1 -2, DAL 0-1-0 0) edge DAL

LAG 1:0 SEA

SEA 0:0 LAG

LAG 3:1 DAL

(against LAG: SEA 0-1-1 -1, DAL 0-0-1 -2) edge SEA

LAFC 2:1 SEA

LAFC 1:0 DAL

(against LAFC: SEA 0-0-1 -1, DAL 0-0-1 -1) even

SEA 2:0 MIN

MIN 1:1 DAL

DAL 5:3 MIN

(against MIN: SEA 1-0-0 +2, DAL 1-1-0 +2) edge DAL

Know Thine Enemy

The Dallas as they lined up in their 5:3 victory over Minnesota at Hunt Way on 19 June.

GOALKEEPER

Maarten Paes, 26

Netherlands

Notable Clubs: FC Utrecht (44/0), FC Dallas (80/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.5M

Notes: Developed by VV Union and NEC Nijmegen.

DEFENCE

Sam Junqua, 27

United States

Notable Clubs: Houston Dynamo (46/1), FC Dallas (40/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €650,000

Notes: Developed by De Anza Force. Played his university football for California (68/0).

Nkosa Tafari, 27

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (94/5)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.8M

Notes: Played his university football for Connecticut (46/1) and Seattle University (20/1).

Sebastien Ibeagha, 32

United States

Notable Clubs: AC Horsens (17/0), Fram Reykjavik (19/1), San Antonio FC (30/0), New York City FC (64/0), Los Angeles FC (30/0), FC Dallas (47/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €400,000

Notes: Developed by Houston Dynamo. Played his university football for Duke (70/8). Nigerian by birth, Ibeagha was named USL Defender of the Year and to the USL All-League First Team during his time at San Antonio FC. Won MLS Cup and league double with LAFC.

MIDFIELD

Bernard Kamungo, 22

United States (1/0)

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (34/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1M

Notes: Developed by Abilene Warbirds (US High School). Has played for the Yanks’ U-23s (4/0).

Asier Illarramendi, 34

Spain (3/1) & Basque Country (4/1)

Notable Clubs: Real Sociedad (221/11), Real Madrid (59/2), FC Dallas (24/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.2M

Notes: Although he played three times for Spain, Illarramendi is Euskaldun (Basque) by birth. Developed by Real Sociedad. Won a Copa del Rey and Spanish Segunda Division titles with Real Sociedad. Won a Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid. Named Breakthrough Player/Best Midfielder by La Liga in 2012-13.

Liam Fraser, 26

Canada (19/0)

Notable Clubs: Toronto FC (34/0), Columbus Crew SC (23/0), KMSK Deinze (36/0), FC Dallas (23/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1M

Notes: Developed by Waterloo United, Peace Arch AC, Surrey Guildford, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Toronto FC. Won a Campeones Cup with Columbus Crew SC.

Paul Arriola, 29

United States (50/10)

Notable Clubs: Tijuana (80/4), DC United (89/20), Swansea City (2/0), FC Dallas (70/13)

Value: €4M

Notes: Produced by IMG Academy, Arsenal FC (California), and LA Galaxy. Won two CONCACAF Gold Cups with the United States.

FORWARD

Tsiki Ntsabeleng, 26

South Africa

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (52/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

Notes: Developed by Stars of Africa, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and University of Johannesburg. Played his university football at Coastal Carolina (28/9) and Oregon State (25/6).

Petar Musa, 26

Croatia (6/0)

Notable Clubs: Slavia Prague (30/11), Viktoria Zizkov (34/11), Slovan Liberec (28/7), Union Berlin (14/1), Boavista (27/11), Benfica (44/12), FC Dallas (17/8)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Developed by Hrvatski Dragovoljac and NK Zagreb. Won two Czech First League titles and a Czech Cup with Slavia Prague. Won a Premeira Liga title and a Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup) with Benfica. Shared a Czech First League Golden Boot with Libor Kozak seeing each player score 14 goals). Named Czech First League Forward of the Year 2019-20.

Jesus Ferreira, 23

United States (23/15)

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (153/52)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Full name: Jesus David Ferreira Castro. Produced by FC Dallas. A naturalised US citizen, Ferreira was born in Colombia. Has played for the Yanks’ U-23s (4/1). Named MLS Young Player of the Year 2022. Named to MLS Best XI 2022. Won CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot 2023 scoring seven goals. Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI 2023.

Familiar Faces

Dallas defender Nkosa Tafari played university football for Seattle University (20/1) in 2019.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Nathan, Nouhou, Ragen, Atencio, Baker-Whiting, Joao Paulo, Kitahara, Leyva, Rusnak, Vargas, Morris, Cristian, Leo Chu, Musovski, Rodrigues, Rothrock, Ruidiaz, Teves.

Note: Jonathan Bell has been called in to the Jamaica team.

Dallas from:

Paes, Maurer, Carrera, Farfan, Gonzalez, Ibeagha, Junqua, Korca, Norris, Tafari, Twumasi, Arriola, Delgado, Fraser, Kamungo, Lletget, Ntsabeleng, Pondeca, Ansah, Endeley, Farrington, Ferreira, Mulato, Musa, Sali, Sealy.

Note: Sainte for Dallas was listed as being with Haiti.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time, with some modification based on intuition - because no one tells me fuck all)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Alex (concussion), de la Vega (hamstring).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Dallas -

OUT: Jesus (knee), Pomykal (knee), Velasco (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Sounders FC: No players suspended.

Dallas: Illarramendi will serve one-match ban Saturday night for accumulated bookings. Arreola and Ibeagha are out next match if booked.

Fun Fact

Sounders FC and Jamaica centre-half Jonathan Bell has been called into the Jamaica national team for Copa America. It’s a well-deserved honour, and well done, Jon!