The 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs are finally here. 14 teams still have a shot at lifting the coveted MLS Cup, including defending champions Atlanta United. LAFC and NYC FC have both secured byes to their respective conference semi-finals, leaving 12 teams to duke it out for a spot of their own in the first round. This MLS tactical analysis will preview the match between Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas.
Seattle Sounders finished second in the Western Conference, making them favourites heading into the match against FC Dallas who clinched the seventh, and last, Western playoffs spot. Both teams tactics have helped them finish a playoffs spot, but playoff football can be a completely different game to league play. Find out our predictions in this MLS tactical preview.
Predicted Lineups
Seattle Sounders: 4-2-3-1
GK: Stefan Frei // RB: Kelvin Leerdam // CB: Román Torres // CB: Xavier Arreaga // LB: Brad Smith // CDM: Gustav Svensson // CDM: Cristian Roldan // LAM: Joevin Jones // CAM: Nicholás Lodeiro // ST: Raúl Ruidíaz
Seattle Sounders injuries: Will Bruin (Out with an ACL tear) // Victor Rodríguez (Doubtful)
FC Dallas: 4-2-3-1
GK: Jesse González // RB: Reggie Cannon // CB: Matt Hedges // CB: Reto Ziegler // LB: Ryan Hollingshead // CDM: Bryan Acosta // CDM: Brandon Servania // LAM: Michael Barrios // CAM: Jesús Ferreira // RAM: Santiago Mosquera // ST: Zdeněk Ondrášek
FC Dallas injuries: Bryan Reynolds (Out with a knee injury) // Dominique Badji (Doubtful with a quad strain)
FC Dallas defence
Generally, FC Dallas look much more comfortable defending against teams who sustain possession. On the transition, Luchi Gonzalezs team can get caught out with balls over the top into space. Naturally, FC Dallas prefer defending with more players behind the ball, resulting in their regular use of a low block defensive system.
For teams that like to possess the ball in deep areas, FC Dallas are comfortable pressing higher up the pitch, however, have been caught out on the counter often. While Seattle Sounders have the pace to beat teams on the counter, they like to possess the ball in the oppositions defensive half.
The Sounders can be patient, switching the ball from one side of the field to another in an attempt to open up the opposition. We will explore Seattles attacking width in the next section of this analysis.
I have a strong feeling that this game will be won or lost with FC Dallas ability to close down Seattle Sounders wide attackers. In the below image, we can see FC Dallas shape when defending a team who possesses the ball in wide areas. The game was FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders first meeting of the season.
When Seattle Sounders attacked down the line, Dallas committed three defenders to close down the attack. Ryan Hollingshead was able to anticipate the pass intended for the overlapping full-back, Brad Smith. Edwin Gyasi and Jacori Hayes were able to prevent Handwalla Bawalla from penetrating on the dribble.
The image shows how FC Dallas are able to quickly close down wide players to create a defensive overload. This makes it difficult for opposing players to get into wide players unopposed, or beat the pressing defenders on the dribble.
However, if that press is broken and opposition players can break into deep wide areas, FC Dallas can be left exposed in the box. In the above image is a perfect example of this. When Ryan Hollingshead drifts across to help provide defensive support in the wide area, he creates lots of separation between him and centre-back Matt Hedges. Had Smith beaten Hollingshead to the ball and beaten him on the dribble, Seattle would have found themselves in a 5v5 attacking situation. Players like Jordan Morris, if given similar opportunities, will punish the Dallas backline.
