Projected Sounders Lineup versus New York

With the much anticipated game agaisnt last year’s MLS cup finalists New York Red Bulls in the opening round of the new MLS season, it is time to look at Seattle’s projected lineup for the New York game. These 11 people represent a new chapter in Seattle soccer, and we look forward to seeing more mentions of them in  the record book soon enough.

Montero   Jaqua

Nyassi        Evans       Le Toux

Alonso

Riley   Hurtado  Marshall   Sturgis

Keller

On the bench, most of it is set and we should definitely see Eylander, Wahl, Zakuani, and Ljungberg, as well as any other players Sigi may invite to the party. Hopefully when (and if) Ljungberg comes on, the Sounders will have a lead so that all offenive responsbilities will be aleviated from Ljungberg’s recently injured body. Certainly seeing him come off the bench will be a huge boost to the Sounders.

Perhaps everyone’s concern is the defense, and for a good reason as these average defenders have barely played with each other. However, a good attack can make a mediocre defense look good, and one thing working in their favor is the experience factor. Riley has played almost 100 games in MLS, Sturgis is a US youth international, Hurtado has played over 120 games in Colombia (plus, he was invited to a trial at AC Milan), and we all know how experienced Tyrone Marshall is. In fact, it’s not a half-bad back four to be putting out for such an attacking team, and I’m calling out those MLS pundits who doubt it. At the very least, it won’t be worse than some other attack minded teams (*Galaxy*). Look for a few mistakes early on (in the season, and in the Red Bull game) before they start to come together and we see perhaps the best expansion side-ever.