MLS 2019: DC United vs Seattle Sounders – Tactical Analysis

Many teams all across the MLS were desperate for three points last weekend. With only a few games left, the difference between a loss and a draw could be the difference between making playoffs or an uncomfortably long offseason. Because Chicago, Montreal and Orlando all dropped points on Saturday, DC United had already clinched their spot before their match kicked off. The onus was on Seattle Sounders to guarantee a spot for themselves, but DC United werent going to make it easy for them.

With six of the seven playoff spots still available in the West, Seattle Sounders second-place position meant nothing heading into the game. And after 90 minutes against DC United, their playoff spot is still up in the air. Ben Olsens tactics were too much for Seattle to overcome as Brian Schmetzers team lost 2-0 at Audi Field. Find out how the match was won by DC United in this tactical analysis.

Lineups

Ben Olsen made no changes to his starting XI that managed to win an important game against the Portland Timbers a week prior. In attack, DC maintained their 4-2-3-1 position but shifted into a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 when defending. Their defensive shape changed depending on whether they were committing two or three plays to press.

Brian Schmetzer also lined up in a 4-2-3-1. A red card in their last match against FC Dallas meant that Seattle was without centre-back Xavier Arreaga. This prompted Gustav Svensson to fill the void in the backline with Cristian Roldán shifting back into the holding midfield role in place of Svensson. Harry Shipp took Roldáns place in the attacking midfield role, while Jordan Morris returned to the starting lineup ahead of Joevin Jones. Brad Smith was the only other introduction to Schmetzers starting lineup, replacing Nouhou Tolo at left-back.

DC Uniteds high press

In the first five seconds of the match, DC United managed to force a turnover with their high press. The team managed to continuously push back Seattle Sounders, forcing them to play long balls up the field. DC United managed to win the second balls in the midfield and start their attack from advanced areas of the park.

DCs pressing style was high and intense. The objective was to force the ball back to Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei and restrict all short passing options. This would usually involve one of DC Uniteds attacking midfielders, or Wayne Rooney, sprinting at the ball carrier. The high-intensity sprint severely limited the time the ball carrier had, while the supporting players prevented other passes.

The following image showcases how DC United were effecti