The Seattle Sounders visit the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday (4:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube TV, Univision-Seattle, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) in Week 30 MLS action. Here are three matchups to watch, presented by Toyota.
Kim Kee-hee vs. San Jose’s Defensive System
The Earthquakes’ dramatic turnaround in both form and results in 2019 can largely be attributed to the instillation of Matías Almeyda as head coach. At the heart of Almeyda’s success is his man-marking defensive scheme. While most teams toggle between defending in a mid-to-low block and pressing, each player on the Earthquakes is tasked with man-marking a player on the opposing team, regardless of where they roam on the pitch. However, one of Almeyda’s central defenders will serve as a sweeper, meaning one Sounders player will be unmarked.
Enter Kim, who will be instrumental to breaking down San Jose’s rigid defensive scheme, as he’ll be the ‘free’ player for Seattle. A rangy, ball-carrying center back, look for Kim to dribble the ball into midfield, drawing one of the Earthquakes players’ away from his mark. Once one player on San Jose is forced to step to Kim, that will free a Sounders player to receive a pass between the lines, unbalancing the hosts’ entire defensive system.
Jordan Morris vs. Tommy Thompson
In a battle between the two franchises’ top Homegrown players, Morris and Thompson will square off for control of Seattle’s left side. The Sounders’ Week 29 defeat to D.C. United marked the first start for Morris in which he was unable to register either a goal or an assist since August 17.
San Jose’s man-marking system should suit Morris perfectly, as he has the strength, pace and 1-v-1 ability to dominate his matchup with Thompson. Moreover, look for him to drop deeper into midfield, thus vacating space down the left channel, before making quick, incisive runs behind the Earthquakes backline. Once he enters the primary assist zone – the space between the 18-yard box and 6-yard box – look for the Mercer Island native to supply dangerous box-crosses for Raúl Ruidíaz.
Raúl Ruidíaz vs. Guram Kashia
Kashia, who joined San Jose midway through 2018 after nearly a decade with Vitesse in the Dutch Eredevisie, has been superb at center back this season. In San Jose’s last five matches, the Georgian defender has racked up 11 tackles, 41 recoveries, 7 interceptions and 9 clearances. He’ll likely be tasked with shadowing Ruidíaz all evening at Avaya Stadium.
Seattle’s Peruvian striker scored his first MLS goal against the Earthquakes back on July 25, 2018, and he added another pair of goals against San Jose on Decision Day. Expect Ruidíaz to get back on the scoresheet against on his favorite opponents.
