By Owen Murray
The Seattle Sounders begin their season Saturday at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Morocco. As the first MLS side to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, they’ll blaze a path for the international expansion of a league primed to explode over the next decade. Last May, they triumphed over Liga MX’s Pumas UNAM at a raucous Lumen Field, but they waited as FIFA postponed the fruits of their labor. Finally, they’ll face Egypt’s Al Ahly in a duel that no matter the result will hammer home MLS’ commitment to growth on the world stage.
Before they take the field, though, head coach Brian Schmetzer must make three tactical choices that could define Seattle’s fortunes abroad and domestically. Returning from a season in which they failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in their modern history, the Sounders will be anxious to prove their worth.
Count Your Centerbacks
The past two seasons have seen Schmetzer experiment with a three-back formation, initially as a result of the injury-wrecked 2021 campaign. Seattle was reportedly in for USMNT centerback Aaron Long, a player who possesses experience in a back three as well as with a single partner, before his free agency signing with league champions LAFC in preseason. Most of the defenders on the roster are capable, if not comfortable in both systems. However, 2022 saw the Rave Green by and large return to their favored 4-2-3-1 to accommodate the expanded role of several young midfielders in the absence of João Paulo. It’s a vital tactical choice for the Sounders’ manager.
Should they favor one of the defensive systems that carried them through 2021, it’ll absolutely see Nouhou begin on the left of a three. The Cameroonian was called up to his nation’s World Cup squad after impressing in the 2022 AFCON, starting all three matches and facing some of the world’s best. He’d reportedly been linked away from MLS after the tournament’s conclusion, but the 25 year old remains in Seattle for 2023. His pace and physical defensive skills would allow a wingback ahead of him to fly forwards, but with the hole at left back in the roster (the presumed starter would be natural midfielder Kelyn Rowe or right back Alex Roldan), Seattle might fail to take advantage of the potential benefits provided by Nouhou.
They’re far more likely to settle in Schmetzer’s classic 4-2-3-1, which usually sees a partnership of Yeimar Gomez Andrade and one of Xavier Arreaga and Jackson Ragen flanked by Nouhou and Roldan. In a match where Schmetzer doesn’t feel the need to outnumber a front two, the formation allows him to exploit Seattle’s deepest position group: the midfield. The returning João Paulo will supplement an engine room featuring two of the Sounders’ three Designated Players in Nicolas Lodeiro and Albert Rusnák, alongside ironman Cristian Roldan and a capable core of young academy graduates in Josh Atencio, Danny Leyva, and Obed Vargas. Seattle’s setup depends on the fitness of João Paulo and Lodeiro - it’s unlikely that the former will play 90 minutes in the tournament after his ACL tear last season, and Lodeiro’s recent injury issues lend similar concerns. Rusnák is a capable starter in the middle of the band of three, or alongside a more defensive-minded player in the two, leaving the other two spots relevant to preseason decisions. Without the third centerback, the creative ceiling of the midfield is far higher, and it’s only in an emergency that Seattle should revert to their defensive shell.
The Brothers Roldan
The tactical whirlwind in recent seasons also saw club legend Cristian Roldan drift outwards towards the right wing, making room in the wake of Rusnák’s signing and looking to exploit his indomitable workrate. The debate is often over whether the elder Roldan is best used wide or centrally, but his work from the right, while possibly lowering his individual ceiling, has raised the bar for the team as a whole. Opposite speedster Jordan Morris, he’s able to combine with his brother to generate service for the forward line. While he can be shifted centrally during a match, it’s almost inevitable that he begins on the right.
The realization is compounded by the Sounders’ inability to fully replace the procession of DP wingers (see: Victor Rodríguez, et. al) who ostensibly removed a creative burden from Lodeiro. When they spent that money on Rusnák, who long-term should move into the 10 space, they essentially committed to Roldan’s future out wide.
His effectiveness is exponentially increased by the unique connection with his younger brother, as well. Having him on the wing allows for that flourishing of their relationship in the otherwise frantic counter attacking style that the Sounders can fall into. With Alex behind him, Cristian is free to move inside towards his original position, providing a late-arriving option that otherwise might never materialize. The younger Roldan’s attacking tendencies aren’t as fully balanced with a winger ahead of him who has a sole focus on going forwards, and thus the freedom he gains as it has been for the past two seasons furthers the team as a whole.
Does Raúl Need A Partner?
Just like there’s a question of partnerships in defense, a less clear query emerges in attack. Raúl Ruidíaz missed significant time last year, and although he’s hopefully resuming normal service this season, in the interim Schmetzer often implemented a strike partnership, featuring a rotating cast of the now-departed Will Bruin, Fredy Montero, and Jordan Morris. Ruidíaz has largely played as a sole striker in his five seasons in the Pacific Northwest, but the recent opportunities, along with Seattle’s selection of Kentucky striker Eythor Bjørgolfsson in the 2023 MLS Superdraft (he’s been assigned to Tacoma Defiance, Seattle’s MLS Next Pro side, for the beginning of the season), leave questions over whether he would work in a two up top.
Once upon a time, the Sounders thought that Jordan Morris was their number nine of the future. He ran the NCAA in a partnership at Stanford, winning the MAC Hermann Trophy as the best college player and deferring several opportunities in Europe to sign with Seattle on a Homegrown contract. However, as he’s struggled with multiple long-term knee and leg injuries, he’s developed on the left for the Sounders, and it’d be questionable to remove him now with more options on the table.
While Ruidíaz might not need a partner, it’s worth revisiting the idea with Seattle’s remaining forwards. Newly installed GM Craig Waibel’s first move was to sign Héber from 2021 MLS champions NYCFC, ideally a replacement for Bruin’s minutes. He’s not a Bruin-like player; he’s far more technical and similar to Ruidíaz in that respect. His experience in a front two in New York, however, could prove to be useful where Ruidíaz isn’t. In the event of another long absence from the Peruvian, Héber could find himself partnered with Morris or eventually Bjørgolfsson (you can read my piece about him here).
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When Seattle debuts this Saturday, they’ll begin a new era for MLS sides. There’s no question that they’re one of the most deserving representatives that the league could’ve had, but it’s easy to forget that their simple goal ahead of the 2023 season is to make the playoffs. For that to happen, these questions have to be answered.
