SOUNDERS FC: Opening match tonight

The lineups have been set, the cleats have been polished, and starting tonight there is no turning back. It is finally here. Sounders season kicks off TONIGHT!

As if playing in front of the home crowd at Qwest field isn’t already enough motivation, tonight the Sounders will play the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year, the L.A. Galaxy. Match time is 6:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN.

To Continue...Sounders Keys to the Match:

Defend Set Pieces

- Set pieces are what seemed to plague the Sounders all of last year. They were a big focal point in preseason and must be tonight. The mental lapses that frequently lead to opponents goals will need to be eliminated tonight for the Sounders to be successful

Finish in the Final Third

- Yes, I understand this is somewhat obvious, but this became a problem with last years club and resurfaced this preseason. The Sounders would dominate the time of possession, but would squander opportunities to cash in at goal. Often times they would look to be pretty instead of ripping a shot on goal. Testing the keeper and keeping him honest in his net could result in more chances later in the match tonight.

Lastly….

Feed Off the Crowd

- It’s the first game of the MLS season against the team that eliminated the Sounders from the playoffs last year. There is no question that the fans will have Qwest rocking. The Sounders need to look to come out with high energy early. Keep the crowd involved and perhaps put one away early to put pressure on the Galaxy.

Reach Ryan Kinney at rkinney20@gmail.com