Sigi and the boys hopped a plane back east to get prepared to meet up at PPL park right outside of Philadelphia. Yesterday, Arlo White (Sounders play by play guy) decided to rev up the “Who’s Got the Best Cheese Steak” question by popping into Geno’s. In all seriousness this will be a great head to head battle between the Sounders and Philadelphia Union. Both teams are coming off of wins and both are looking to keep that trend moving forward.
Last week Mauro Rosales was the star again, playing 64 minutes and picking up an assist. His work rate and results have a lot of people in Seattle asking if he will keep playing and let Fredy Montero sit for a bit. I don’t see that happening but it’s a fair question. I do expect him to start this week and have the casted Fredy making a late second half sub to try out playing with the cast.
The rest of last weeks lineup should remain the same with James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and Leonardo Gonzalez on the back line. If any change is made it will be Patrick Ianni for Parke after last week. Kasey Keller will remain in goal after what should be his second save of the week award. The midfield will be Erik Friberg, Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso and Steve Zakuani. Rosales and O’Brian White will likely start up top with Nate Jaqua and Montero subbing in for them between the 60th and 70th Minute. The one late surprise you may see is Mike Fucito who did train this week and looks to not be on the injury list. Let’s hope that they keep him in his protective bubble till game time. The player I will be watching this will will be Friberg. This kid is ready to burst.
The only Sounder listed on the injury list is Montero, who is a questionable game time decision. Seattle does not have any suspensions this week.
Philadelphia is coming off a big win against northeast rivals, New York Red Bulls. Like all of the Union’s games this year it ended 1-0 after a fresh legged sub Roger Torres’s first touch lead to the game winner. Philly has had a solid defense, as their goals against stat of 1 will prove. Sebastian Le Toux will be playing against his old team and though he is the nicest footballer out there, I think he will want to sneak one past Keller. Union coach Peter Nowak has his team getting 11 behind the ball and finding ways to get past his opponents’ back line. Sounders midfielder Ozzie Alonso will keep them busy trying to do that this week.
Carlos Ruiz picked up a hamstring sprain last week but I expect to see him start. Brain Carroll will more then likely not start after coming off in the 6th minute last week. Philadelphia has no suspensions this week.
I am looking forward to watching Sigi’s attack pick on Nowak’s defense this week in what looks to be one of the biggest games of the week. The Union need to answer a lot of questions on if they can keep the top spot in the east while Seattle has to pick up three points to maintain their recent up tick in the standings. I expect to see the midfield battles decide this game. The team who possesses the ball in the midfield will take this game. Do not expect a shoot out like Thursday’s Portland game but yet another 1-0 game. This time though, the Sons of Ben will be walking out of PPL without 3 points to sing about. No smoke in the River End this week.
