{"id":13740,"date":"2018-03-30T21:49:53","date_gmt":"2018-03-31T01:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=13740"},"modified":"2021-12-13T18:30:15","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T23:30:15","slug":"injured-seattle-sounders-face-montreal-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/03\/30\/injured-seattle-sounders-face-montreal-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Injured Seattle Sounders to Face Montreal Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seattle, Washington (March 30, 2018)<\/strong> — Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> will miss some notable names when they take the field against the Montreal Impact<\/a> on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Right now, it’s a trying time for Brian Schmetzer’s team.<\/p>\n

Seattle is currently riding a two-game MLS losing streak. The Sounders were shut out by Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas to begin the season.<\/p>\n

However, Seattle has had two back-to-back seasons with slow starts. Two years ago, they won the MLS Cup title and returned to the championship last season.<\/p>\n

It’s not how a club starts, it’s how they finish.<\/p>\n

But, a few points to boost their standing in the Western Conference wouldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n

Preview: Injured Seattle Sounders Facing Dangerous Montreal Impact Team<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Montreal Impact
\n<\/b>2018 MLS Regular Season
\n<\/b>CenturyLink Field
\n<\/b>March 31, 2018 \u2013 10 p.m. PT<\/b>
\n<\/b>Stream: MLS Live<\/b><\/p>\n

What to Watch for<\/h2>\n

The Defense<\/h3>\n

The Sounders defense has had some rough patches this season.<\/p>\n

In MLS, the Sounders defense — and goalkeeper Stefan Frei — have given up four goals. Three of the four were scored by FC Dallas.<\/p>\n

At center back, Schmetzer is fairly consistent with his lineup, putting\u00a0Rom\u00e1n Torres and Chad Marshall together. However, on the left side, Schmetzer has changed his lineup around.<\/p>\n

Against Dallas, Schmetzer started Nouhou Tolo, but has also started Waylon Francis in the position. Right now, the Sounders are testing new defenders — and even midfielder Henry Wingo — on the flanks to see who is the best fit.<\/p>\n

This week, the Sounders’ defense has a heavy test. Montreal has a talented crop of attacking players in\u00a0Matteo Mancosu,\u00a0Dominic Oduro, and\u00a0Ignacio Piatti.<\/p>\n

With Torres and Marshall being the oldest on the defense, they need to lock down their young wingers.<\/p>\n

The Injury Report<\/h2>\n

Seattle Sounders<\/h3>\n

The two-match contest between the Sounders and C.D. Guadalajara in the CONCACAF Champions League proved costly for injuries.<\/p>\n

The Sounders lost\u00a0Nicol\u00e1s Lodeiro before the second leg match even began with a\u00a0right midfoot sprain. He is currently listed as questionable on the league-wide injury report.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Sounders are without four key attackers.<\/p>\n

Jordan Morris is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, suffered on February 22. However, Osvaldo Alonso (quad injury), Victor Rodriguez (right knee sprain) and Will Bruin (concussion) are all on a week-to-week basis.<\/p>\n

The Sounders are relying on their young talent — including midfielders\u00a0Handwalla Bwana and Jordy Delem — to fill in the spots of their injured comrades.<\/p>\n

Montreal Impact<\/h3>\n

The Impact has a much shorter list on their injury front.<\/p>\n

Two defenders have been ruled out from Saturday’s contest. Kyle Fisher is week-to-week with a tibia injury.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Zakaria Diallo injured his Achilles tendon on February 27 and has been ruled out 5-6 months.<\/p>\n

No Dempsey, No Problem?<\/h2>\n

The Sounders have been able to acclimate without forward Clint Dempsey before.<\/p>\n

Now, they have to adapt again, as Dempsey is serving a one-game suspension. The absence from the match comes after Dempsey was shown a straight red card against FC Dallas.<\/p>\n

However, the last time Seattle had to adapt without Dempsey, they had Morris and Lodeiro.<\/p>\n

Right now, Seattle’s attacking front is running out of options. Without Dempsey, Morris, and Bruin, Seattle has two healthy forwards in Lamar Neagle and\u00a0Seyi Adekoya.<\/p>\n

Dempsey’s suspension came at one of the worst times for Schmetzer.<\/p>\n

Previous Meeting: March 12, 2017<\/h2>\n

The latest meeting between the Sounders and Impact was over a year ago. Back on March 12, 2017, the Impact took an early 2-0 lead at Olympic Stadium.<\/p>\n

Mancosu and Piatti had Impact fans in their home stadium believed that they locked it down over Seattle. However, Lodeiro scored on a penalty kick to cut the lead in half.<\/p>\n

The Sounders earned a point when Bruin scored in the 94th minute.<\/p>\n

Seattle currently has a record of 2-3-1 against Montreal in all competitions.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Seattle 0, Montreal 2<\/h2>\n

With so many injuries and one suspension, it’s hard to imagine Seattle securing any points in this contest.<\/p>\n

Certainly, CenturyLink has an amazing turn out almost every time. However, I don’t think the 12th man and their noise is going to be enough to throw Montreal’s strikers off their game.<\/p>\n

The biggest test for Seattle lies with their defense.<\/p>\n

If Torres and Marshall can’t get their wingers focused, Piatti and Mancosu are going to run all over them.<\/p>\n

\n

Only two days to matchday! Get those scarves ready! #SEAvMTL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tgn9np9qyA<\/a><\/p>\n

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 29, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n