Seattle heads home for what will be a key match against Western conference rivals, the Colorado Rapids. The Sounders will be hoping to bounce back from a tough 0-0 draw with DC United and get another three points at home, where they have seen a lot of success so far this season. The Rapids are heading to CenturyLink Field after a 2-0 loss against Real Salt Lake, and they too will be hoping to get a point if not more when they travel to Seattle.
After last week’s performance I am hoping that the Sounders partnership of Estrada and Montero will be firing again, and on the scoresheet once again. I also think that this game is made for the key players in midfield, like Fernandez and Alonso. I believe if Alonso is allowed time on the ball and is able to spray the ball around easily, he can control that midfield area along with Evans. This will then leave Fernandez as the play maker and be the key link between the midfield and the strikers, hoping to play the killer ball through the defence and make chance galore for the strikers.
The other key to the match will be the CenturyLink Field reaction to Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan. Mullan put himself in the bad books of Seattle fans for his reckless challenge on fan favourite Steve Zakuani last season, which has left him out for over a year. I am hoping that the fans are not focused on the past and the Mullan incident, but rally around the team to bring home the win.
(image courtesy of soundersfc.com)
