RSL television and radio analyst Brian Dunseth – the
man who scored the team’s first-ever home goal, a game-winner in the 81st
minute against rival Colorado back on April 16, 2005 – weighs in on Saturday’s
matchup, and the prospects for each team’s long-term success in 2010
Looking forward to Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium; RSL
founder Dave Checketts and his new partner, Dell Loy Hansen, will be in the
house to raise a championship banner and present the players with their MLS Cup
rings in a ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. My partner David James and I will
bring you all the pomp and circumstance on KUSG (over-the-air 2.2, Comcast 111,
Dish Network ch. 12) at that time.
Regarding the matchup, success starts for both RSL and
Seattle in the midfield, where each team has incredible engines. The Sounders’
Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans have spectacular work rates, matched by RSL
Captain Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson and Ned Grabavoy. Whichever team controls
the midfield balance – and therefore the tempo of the game – is the first key.
On the back lines, both defenses utilize outside backs to
get forward into the attack; Robbie Russell and Chris Wingert are not afraid to
get forward one-on-one, while both Leo Gonzalez and James Riley will pick their
spots as well. Both sets of backs can handle various types of runs.
The big difference between these teams occurs up front; for
Seattle, both Freddys (Ljungberg and Montero) are comfortable stepping back
into midfield. For the Champs, Espindola, Saborio and Findley are asked to
pressure when the ball is lost and check back, but they stay further up than
Seattle’s strikers. Findley is the X-factor for the RSL attack, he can
get in behind defenses and pull away.
For Seattle, the pure speed exists on the outside flanks,
where Steve Zakuani mirrors Findley’s ability, but from a different position.
Last week, the Akron product was up against New York’s Jeremy Hall – himself
one of the speedier players in MLS – and was still able to find the ball, take
two touches and dribble past the young defender. Zakuani’s performance against
RSL’s right-sided defense will be huge for Seattle, whose wing midfielders play
similarly to what RSL saw in San Jose with Convey and Alvarez.
These are two teams with the right balance in the squad,
both play tight defense, neither gives up a lot of chances – New York scored
vs. Seattle last week with a sweet finish after a deflection off a set piece,
while RSL has only allowed two penalty-kick goals this season – three minutes
apart!
With both teams coming off disappointing results last week,
this weekend’s Western Conference match up could be a sneak peek into the
future as both teams will be participating in the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions
League as well as battling for home field advantage in the run up to the MLS
Playoffs.
Keep an eye on the first 15 minutes as both teams will be
looking to set the tone early.
Questions for Dunny? A topic you’d like to see him tackle
here on the new www.RealSaltLake.com?
e-mail him at RSLcommunications@RealSaltLake.com
Catch Dunny every Thursday night on “First Kick” with
Spencer Checketts at 6:00 p.m. MT on ESPN Radio- KALL 700 Sports in Utah, or on
www.KALL700sports.com
