Seattle and Real Salt Lake may be playoff fixtures, but each team enters this Major League Soccer postseason with something to prove. Notoriously, Seattle has failed to advance in their three playoff appearances, a record that?s overshadowed the remarkable feat of making the postseason every year of their MLS existence. For RSL, their 2009 title was not only an achievement but a promise. Now, the team is in search of a trophy that will quell the sting of their failed 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League run.
For the second straight season, the teams meet in the Western Conference semifinals, and for the second straight season, a season that began with expectations and promise will end too soon.
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. Eastern, Friday, CenturyLink Field, NBC Sports Network
Recap of last year?s first leg in Salt Lake?| And second in Seattle
On the Seattle Sounders:
- Memories from last year die hard, which explains why last year?s semifinal has been increasingly pertinent around Seattle. Then, the Sounders opened their postseason with a 3-0 loss at Rio Tinto Stadium, dooming them to another early playoff exit (Real Salt Lake went on to eliminate Seattle, 3-2).
- Seattle?s made four notable improvements from last year: Goalkeeper of the Year candidate Michael Gspurning is in goal; Swedish international Adam Johannson is at right back; former Bundesliga standout Christian Tiffert augments the midfield; and resurgent U.S. international Eddie Johnson spearheads the attack.
- Johnson, however, is questionable for Friday?s game, having picked up a hamstring injury Sunday in Los Angeles. If he can?t go, Sammy Ochoa will.
MORE: Still awaiting word on Eddie Johnson
- With Fredy Montero and Mauro Rosales, Seattle?s attack will be potent regardless of Johnson?s health. The defending, however, remains a question. Seattle has the league?s second-best defensive record but is weak defending set pieces, something that will get worse in the absence of Johnson.
- So if Seattle?s defense is so weak, how are they so good at preventing goals? Much of the credit goes to Gspurning, but don?t under-estimate the contributions of Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans. Whether Evans or Tiffert partner Alonso on Friday, Seattle?s midfield duo to be tested by an RSL diamond that plays notoriously narrow. Whomever gets the call, be prepared for an overload.
- The bigger concern for Seattle was their inability to win important games. The Sounders went 1-1-1 in their late season Cascadia Cup matches despite the quality of opposition (Vancouver, Portland). A home loss to San Jose knocked them out of the Supporters? Shield chase, while a defeat in Los Angeles on the season?s last day relegated them to third in the West.
On Real Salt Lake:
- While Seattle?s made a number of upgrades, Real Salt Lake returns largely the same team that started the first leg of last year?s semifinal. Andy Williams (retirement) and Robbie Russell (D.C. United) have moved on, but with Ned Grabavoy and Tony Beltran, RSL?s no worse off.
- With Seattle?s trouble on set pieces, Alvaro Saborio could be in for another big series. The Costa Rican international is coming off a 17-goal season and scored the first two against in last year?s semifinal.
- The key to Real?s attack, however, is Javier Morales. At his best, the Argentine midfielder is the league?s best playmaker. He?ll be Alonso?s number one responsibility.
- In defense, Real Salt Lake has the league?s best four-some (left-to-right: Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Beltran), but the central pair has been troubled by Seattle?s tendency to play long and directly at them. Although Fredy Montero isn?t the league?s fastest attacker, the timing of his runs creates problems for RSL?s all-star duo.
- The last time RSL was in Seattle, they played the Sounders to a 0-0 despite playing an hour up a man. That?d take the same result on Friday, even if this month?s draw was another indication of Real Salt Lake?s troubles playing from the favorite?s perch.
Bottom line:
Seattle?s not only failed to advance in the playoffs, they?ve never scored in a first leg. It?s not a long history (three years), but it?s still symptomatic. Too often, Seattle is passive ? more reactive than imposing ? an attitude that concedes the initiative despite their superior talent. In the regular season, that approach manifests in disappointing results against Cascadia rivals or letting Ricardo Salazar become something that defines a game. In the playoffs, it leads you to be pacified in the first 90 minutes.
That?s why Seattle finishing third may be a blessing. At home, they?ll come out aggressive, confront their demons, and force RSL onto the?back foot. While Real often plays their best under such circumstances, Seattle?s a more talented team this year than last. They have the potential to redeem themselves.
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