The roller coaster that was the off season has finally ended, and now that the collective bargaining dispute between the players and owners has been settled, we can look forward to Sunday’s opener and preview the Seattle Sounders 2015 season.
2015 Seattle Sounders Preview
The Sounders won their first Supporter’s Shield and fourth U.S. Open Cup last year en route to their deepest playoff run, coming within one goal of going to their first ever MLS Cup. So how do the Sounders build on that momentum from last season? When you look at the starting lineup from last year and compare it to the projected lineup this year, there have been very few changes.
The Starters
Gone to Tottenham Hotspurs is DeAndre Yedlin, and in to replace him is English veteran Tyrone Mears. A defensive stalwart, Mears spent seasons with Bolton, Burnley, Derby County and West Ham United. Injuries plagued his early years, but Mears appears to be on track to be the player the Sounders desperately need him to be; a speedy, attack minded fullback.
With Ozzie Alonso out with an injury for the first few weeks, Michael Azira or Andy Rose are poised to take over as center-mid, playing alongside the returning Gonzalo Pineda. Neither bring that bulldog tenacity that Alonso does, but both are adequate stopgaps and will help the Sounders keep their shape in the midfield. The wing positions haven’t gone under any drastic changes, and with a little reshuffling, now the duel threats of Marco Pappa and Lamar Neagle will both be on the field at the same time consistently.
Brad Evans, previously a starting midfielder, makes the move to center back, a position he’s only flirted with for the Sounders. Evans has always been known as the utility man; someone who is capable of playing any position on the field, but with this move to the center of the defense he moves into uncharted territory. One interesting note; while with the USMNT last summer, before being cut, Evans played mainly center back for Jurgen Klinsmann. Will this move help solidify a shaky defense and provide Chad Marshall a stable, younger partner in the back? Only time will tell, but if Evans puts as much effort into this new challenge as he does any other, it could pan out.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the strike pairing of Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey. Both of these players were already clicking once again in the preseason, and are sure to build on their chemistry from the 2014 campaign. Look for these two to be up to their same old flashy routine this year, and be prepared for a ton of goals.
The Bench
If there’s one place where the changes are more obvious, it’s the bench. Gone are Djimi Traore and Jalil Anibaba. Josh Ford is off to Orlando, and Marcus Hahnemann has retired. Sean Okoli has moved on to find more playing time with New England and Tristan Bowen, Cam Weaver and Eriq Zavaleta have all found new home across the league. What once looked like an extremely depleted bench has now been filled with a wide range of trialists and home-grown products, and don’t be surprised if a few more players are added in the near future or during the summer transfer window.
On the backline, Zach Scott returns to bring his veteran experience to the bench, and to hopefully mold youngsters Damion Lowe and Jimmy Ockford. Dylan Remick remains on the roster as a solid backup to Leo Gonzales. But also added is Columbian Andres Correa, a 21 year old left back, who will push Remick and Gonzales and try to earn minutes in the starting lineup. Being a backup defender is no easy task, and finding playing time may be tough for these players. Look for at least one of them to get loaned to S2 before their season begins later this month.
Aaron Kovar, entering his second season with the Sounders, is looking to break into that bench. Coach Sigi Schmid has already praised the 21 year olds’ work ethic and determination, and with a lack of other options on the wing, we could see the youngster earning some serious minutes in 2015. Seattle local and University of Washington star Cristian Roldan could also compete for minutes off the bench, but the rookie has a steep learning curve ahead of him, and will likely be a starting winger for the USL club, S2.
Up top, the story remains the same. Chad Barrett and Kenny Cooper lead the charge off the bench, bringing different looks and skills to the field when called upon. Home-grown products Victor Mansaray and Darwin Jones bring youth and vibrancy to a position dominated by older veterans. Kevin Parsemain remains on the roster, and has already shown well in some of the preseason matches down in Arizona. Could he battle Barrett and Cooper for minutes, or will he be the starter for S2?
The Front Office
It could be said that the most important changes for the Seattle Sounders has come in the front office. In January it was reported that Garth Lagerwey would not resign as Real Salt Lake’s General Manager, and instead take over the same position for the Sounders.
Seen as the architect of RSL’s championship caliber structure and roster, his move to Seattle could be the best pickup by the Sounders in MLS franchise history. That’s right, I said it. Buying a player here or there is nice, but bringing in a GM who knows how to put a competitive team on the field on a budget, all while winning an MLS Cup and reaching the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League, should not be glossed over.
Adrian Hanauer gladly stepped aside as GM. “I always said that if the best general manager was available, I would hire that person to replace me,” he stated in February. “I believe that Garth is that man.” This leaves him open to focus on business operations, which will include growing the club and the brand into the global powerhouse they want to be.
The addition of S2, the USL affiliate that will serve as the development team for the Sounders was also a major change in the Pacific Northwest soccer scene. The USL has gotten more and more competitive, and most importantly, provides a quality schedule with high-level soccer to younger players that need that experience. At least two players can be loaned down to the club, and you can bet that the Sounders will take full advantage of that to develop some of their home grown and rookie players.
Kickoff
Now that a CBA has been agreed upon, fans can look forward to watching their rave green team kick off on Sunday night against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the New England Revolution. Jermaine Jones may be sidelined while recovering from injury, but MVP candidate Lee Nguyen will be ready, and with the return of Juan Agudelo, it will be a competitive, crazy match in the first Sunday night time slot on Fox Sport 1.
The deal has been struck, the lineups have been (mostly) set, and the league, in terms of players, has never been stronger. The Seattle Sounders have one primary goal this year, and that is to win their first MLS Cup. But it will be a long and eventful road, with twists and turns that will make this 20th season of MLS the most exciting yet. So strap in Sounders fans, and enjoy the ride.
Seattle Sounders vs. New England Revolution (6:30 PST, Fox Sports 1)
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SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 26: Clint Dempsey #2 of the Seattle Sounders FC reacts after scoring his second goal against the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field on April 26, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Sounders defeated the Rapids 4-1. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
