Playoff spots and positions are on the line for several clubs but which are under the most pressure? We asked our writers for their views.
http://www.adworkmedia.com/affiliate-publisher.php?ref=70885
Seattle Sounders
The Seattle Sounders control their own destiny this weekend, but the club's nightmare scenario remains very much in play. A failure to win at home against Real Salt Lake could allow both the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City to leap over Seattle in the Western Conference standings, and thus leaving the Sounders outside the playoff places for the first time in its MLS history.Seattle clearly has the most to lose during this weekend's Decision Day, as missing out on the postseason would cut deep on a multitude of levels. The Sounders have as talented a roster as any in MLS, and per the most recent numbers from the MLS Players Union, they have the league's fourth-highest payroll at $13.28 million. Only the LA Galaxy, New York City FC, and Toronto FC have spent more.
Seattle also won the Supporters Shield in 2014, and nothing less than a trip to the MLS Cup final was expected this season. While it's true that the Sounders have sustained a fair number of injuries and games missed due to international commitments, missing out on the postseason would amount to a shockingly poor return on its investment.
Such a failure would no doubt jeopardize the tenure of manager Sigi Schmid, though he signed a multi-year contract extension following the end of the 2014 campaign. But regardless of Schmid's status, Seattle is a team, which given its advanced age, is seeing its championship window closing fast. Seven out of the 10 field players from last weekend's starting lineup are at least 30 years old, with another two checking in at 29. It seems inevitable that significant changes will take place this offseason. All the more reason for the Sounders to get the job done this weekend
https://track.paydot.com/hit.php?w=122830&s=1660
No comments:
Post a Comment