Scouting report: A look at Seattle Sounders FC

A VITAL MATCHUP 

Very few MLS matches in May are described as vital, but that is exactly the word being used within the D.C. United locker room at the moment. Captain Dax McCarty reinforced this notion when speaking to media on Monday, and Head Coach Ben Olsen underlined the importance of Wednesday's match with Seattle once again following today's training session. Back in front of the home fans for the first time since a 4-0 April 21 loss to New York, United is in need of a strong match following last week's defeat in Houston. 

Tomorrow's contest marks an important League encounter between two clubs looking to climb their respective conference tables. For United, the Seattle matchup offers a redemptive opportunity for Ben Olsen’s side to halt a two-game League losing skid. A victory could see United vault back into the top half of the Eastern Conference table, as the Black-and-Red have not captured a League victory since April 16 in Toronto. Meanwhile, Seattle is coming off of a strong 3-0 victory over that same Toronto side after losing versatile winger Steve Zakuani to injury on April 22 in a 1-0 win over Colorado.

The Seattle Sounders have won two US Open Cup trophies in a row.
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Since coming into Major League Soccer in 2009, Seattle Sounders FC has hardly behaved like an emerging club looking to find its way. Sigi Schmid's men have reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in their first two seasons, and Sounders FC captured back-to-back U.S. Open Cup titles in 2009 and 2010. The first of these trophies came at the expense of the Black-and-Red, as United fans will remember the narrow 2-1 Seattle victory that allowed Sounders FC to claim its first major title inside RFK Stadium on September 2, 2009.

The 2009 U.S. Open Cup Final proved to be a catalyst for rivalry between these two clubs, as United and Sounders FC subsequently played in several close contests filled with drama and controversy. Last season Chris Pontius scored twice to silence the fans at Qwest Field, giving the Black-and-Red a 3-2 victory on June 10. Just over one month later, Roger Levesque scored in the 89th minute to hand United a 1-0 defeat at RFK Stadium - propelling Sounders FC towards the postseason and condemning D.C. to further frustration. 

Ben Olsen understands the challenge that awaits his side at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. Says Olsen of tomorrow's opposition, "We’ll need everyone to contribute. Seattle is a team that’s hot right now – they haven’t lost in their last six matches. They have some really good pieces and they play with a lot of confidence."

DEPTH AND EXPERIENCE

Fredy Montero (left) and the Seattle Sounders will take on Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy in the 2011 MLS season opener.
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United's backline has been ailing in recent games, and this trend will need to change if the Black-and-Red are to come away with three points on Wednesday night. Fredy Montero is the fine tip of the spear for Sounders FC's attack, and he is aided by 6'4" Nate Jaqua on the frontline. Olsen states, "[Fredy] Montero is always a handful, he’s a special player, and [Nate] Jaqua plays with size and can cause a lot trouble physically."

He continues, "We’ve got a very big task ahead of us, and it’s certainly going to be a challenge, but we’re going to show our home fans we’re better than what they have seen the last two games."

Seattle has not lost in its past six MLS matches, and despite a recent injury to talented winger Steve Zakuani, Sounders FC has plenty of options in both midfield and attack. Designated Player Alvaro Fernandez is a stealthy midfielder with World Cup pedigree for his native Uruguay, and last week in Zakuani's absence he scored Seattle's first goal in a 3-0 triumph. Newcomer Erik Friberg can play both centrally and on the wing, and so far in 2011 the Swede has been a creative force in eight MLS appearances for Seattle. 

Olsen fully recognizes Seattle's depth and quality across the field, and even without Zakuani, the former D.C. captain knows Sounders FC will be dangerous. "I think they lose a real young talent in [Steve] Zakuani that is explosive and causes trouble because of that injury, but I still think they have guys that can fill in and they really don’t miss too much."

UNSUNG HEROS

While Fredy Montero and veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller receive many of the plaudits for Sounders FC, Seattle is driven by a variety of unsung heroes across the pitch. Defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has made a career of stifling opposing attacks, and for United to achieve success on Wednesday, the Black-and-Red will need to neutralize the fiery Cuban. United's Stephen King played with Alonso in 2009, and the University of Maryland product recognizes Alonso's talent by stating, "He is one of the best in the League at that position. It's very hard to get him off the ball and he wins many of his battles."

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The same can be said of defender James Riley. The former New England fullback has grown into a leader in his time in Seattle since being selected by Sounders FC in the 2008 Expansion Draft. Riley has started all seven matches he has played for Seattle in 2011, registering an assist. In 2010 he started 27 matches, and over the club's first two MLS seasons Riley led all field players in minutes played. 

Lastly, United fans will need to keep an eye on Seattle midfielder Brad Evans on Wednesday night. Evans is making an emphatic comeback following a knee injury in 2010, and last weekend against Toronto FC the former Columbus Crew player scored two goals. So far in 2011, Evans has made six appearances (six starts), recording three goals and one assist. Like Friberg, Evans is capable of playing centrally, but his clear success last week on the right wing will mean that he will likely lineup on the touchline for Seattle against United.