Sounders last preseason tests still show areas to improve upon, splitting two scrimmages against Sacramento Republic FC
By Charles Hamaker
Tukwila, WA – The final preseason contests ahead of the 2024 MLS regular season for the Seattle Sounders FC didn’t particularly end well, as the first team fell by a minimal score of 1-0 and were clearly not fully clicking as a unit just yet. The second scrimmage of the day was split into two sections, as the first half was Sacramento players but the second was Tacoma Defiance players, but that first half yielded some more positive results as Pedro de La Vega was able to show the media in attendance what we’d all hoped to see, while Raul Ruidiaz was also dangerous in his attack. It’s an intriguing session to look deeper into considering the differences in the two sessions and to wonder how the club will line up when we approach the season opener against LAFC on the road.
Full scenes from the first scrimmage of the Seattle Sounders FC first choice lineup as they took on Sacramento Republic FC. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
First scrimmage
The first scrimmage of the day featured a mostly first choice lineup, as Brian Schmetzer rolled out the following eleven: Stefan Frei, Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Nathan, Cody Baker, Obed Vargas, Josh Atencio, Léo Chú, Albert Rusnák, Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris. That group was able to generate some strong chances throughout the course of the match, as several of the attacking players were able to get through on chances, but none of them were clear cut and the Sounders weren’t able to use enough finishing prowess to score. More times than not, Seattle was able to get the ball into the Sacramento box, it was there that presented challenges for the Sounders, a clear area for them to improve upon. Sacramento won a foul just outside of the Seattle box right before the half, and a curling ball got through the Sounders somewhat minimal wall and tucked itself near post, just out of the reach of Stefan Frei. The second half didn’t see any changes until scheduled substitutions of Xavier Arreaga on for Jackson Ragen and Paul Rothrock on for Josh Atencio, but neither made much difference as this match ended in that 1-0 scoreline.
A freekick from Sacramento Republic FC curled through the Seattle Sounders FC wall and tucked itself near post, just past the outstretched right hand of Stefan Frei. (Photo by Liz Wolter)
Second scrimmage
The second scrimmage today saw a lineup of Andrew Thomas, Jon Bell, Xavier Arreaga, Stuart Hawkins, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Danny Leyva, Snyder Brunell, Pedro de la Vega, Danny Musovski, Dylan Teves and Raúl Ruidíaz. The major highlight in this one was seeing Pedro de La Vega in the limited time that he was able to play, as his activity and chance creation was a clear indicator that he will help this team to make more chances on goal. A combination play between Pedro and Raúl ultimately led to the latter winning a penalty, which it appeared he was going to take before he passed off to de La Vega, who slotted it into his left side after a slow walk up. When he was taken off before half, Pedro seemed somewhat upset with himself that he couldn’t do more, and it’s nice to see the competitive spirit within him. The second half saw Sacramento leave the facility and the Tacoma Defiance come in, notably seeing Gio Miglietti’s man bun at forward, and the Sounders second squad was able to net three goals through that half.
Full scenes from the second scrimmage of the Seattle Sounders FC second choice lineup as they took on Sacramento Republic FC in the first half, and the Tacoma Defiance in the second half. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
Thoughts to take away
There are a few main things that were apparent after the two scrimmages had ended, with a mixture of good and bad in here. While I won’t necessarily put the full weight of expectations on what I saw today, considering that the squad wasn’t at full strength and that the squad was split, there is some concern still in my mind. There’s only so much that can truly be taken from the results of a split squad day of two scrimmages, but there are some early indications that you can get. Obviously, things can change throughout the course of the long MLS season and the club can improve upon areas of their game, but we must see that change take place as opposed to hearing how it may.
Seattle Sounders FC forward Pedro de La Vega played well in his 35 minutes of play, scoring a penalty in that time. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
The main offseason acquisition this year for the Sounders was Pedro de La Vega, and while we’ve had to wait to see his performance in person, what we saw today was as advertised. While de La Vega was limited in the minutes that he was given, he was dangerous on numerous touches that he had and slotted that first goal of the second scrimmage on a penalty. The foul that Raul Ruidiaz drew to earn that penalty came on combo play with de La Vega, following a few different dangerous possessions where Pedro had gotten into the box and was searching for a teammate to find on the end of a pass to score. It will be unique to watch how the club ends up using de La Vega when we get to games that count towards the standings, as he was in the second scrimmage that was more of the “second choice” lineup.
My main concern coming away from this scrimmage day was the Sounders issues with finishing the chances that they were able to generate. As has been the case dating back to after Seattle winning CCL, they’ve struggled at finishing the chances that they were able to create. While generation was a problem in the second half of 2022, it wasn’t at all an issue in 2023 as the Sounders often lead MLS in xG, but that number didn’t line up with the reality of the goals that Seattle was scoring. Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Leo Chu, all created multiple chances throughout the course of the first session but couldn’t bury one.
“This was supposed to be a preview for LAFC, I might have changed my mind now.”
Defensively, Seattle didn’t look bad, per say. The lone goal that the “first team” defense gave up against Sacramento came on a free kick just outside of their own box, and this scrimmage didn’t see Alex Roldan or Yeimar play as they both make their way back from injuries. Even without those two, the backline of Nouhou-Ragen-Nathan-Baker held solidly, limiting Sacramento to only two real chances outside of the aforementioned free kick. Even with the two other chances that Sacramento got, Stefan Frei was able to make a save, and Nathan cleaned up a rebound by blocking the shot.
“They didn’t play up to their potential. The free kick, I’ll just use that as one example. We do a good job of making sure that all of the set pieces are organized, that everybody knows where they’re supposed to be. But there were a couple of guys that weren’t in the right spots. The wall wasn’t set up properly. Sloppy clearance that didn’t go and a foul that shouldn’t have been committed.”
What’s next?
Following the two scrimmages today against Sacramento Republic FC, at least the first match and the first half of the second match, the Sounders now aim their sights to the season opener. The Rave Green face a tough test when it comes to opening the 2024 campaign, as they’ll take on the defending Western Conference champions, LAFC, and they’ll be doing so on the road. That season opening contest comes on Saturday, February 24th with a 1:30PM PST start time at BMO Stadium. It’s a rough test out of the gate for Seattle, facing the club that bounced them from the MLS Cup Playoffs last season, but if the Sounders are going to contend this year, they will need to be able to handle tilts such as this.
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