Sounders FC vs FC Dallas
2014 MLS Cup Playoffs - Western Conference Semifinals, Leg Two
Monday, November 10; 7:30 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: NBCSN, UDN, TSN2/RDS2; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM/Sirius XM FC (Channel 94), ESPN Deportes Radio 1490 AM (Spanish)
Seattle Sounders FC. FC Dallas. CenturyLink Field. A spot in the Western Conference Championship. It’s all on the line tonight as the two clubs do battle on the Xbox Pitch for the right to face the LA Galaxy in the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
It’s going to be a tightly-contested affair with both teams positive and confident that they will be the one to advance. Below are the match-ups you should focus on as they’ll surely have an impact on tonight’s result.
Osvaldo Alonso vs Mauro Diaz
After serving a one-match suspension in the first leg, Diaz returns and will look to cause problems for Seattle in the attacking third…and Mr. Alonso will be the man tasked with slowing him down. One of Major League Soccer’s premier holding midfielders, Alonso makes a living on quelling attacking midfielders’ forward progress. He’ll need to be on his A-game against Dallas given how well-rested Diaz is and because of the multitude of options the visitors have up front to support him.
Clint Dempsey vs Michel
The Sounders Designated Player will have to duke it out with Alonso’s opposite number for most of the night as Michel tends to sit a bit deeper. The Brazilian will look to disrupt the flow of Obafemi Martins and Dempsey through the middle (and we know that flow isn’t easily interfered with) and help FCD break the other way with his quality distance passing.
Sounders FC vs The Pressure
To put it simply, the pressure is on Sounders FC heading into this one. After a fantastic regular season that featured two trophies, the club’s supporters, media and team iteself all expect to advance to the Western Conference Championship. The club has been up to the challenge this year after reaching almost all of its lofty expectations. The final challenge is reaching the MLS Cup Final, and a positive result against the Hoops on Monday would keep the club heading down that path.
