Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas: 3 Keys for Game 1
By Paul Taylor
As the Seattle Sounders prepare to face FC Dallas in the second round of the playoffs, we consider three key factors for Game 1 in Seattle.
In many ways, the 2016 season can already be termed as a success for the Seattle Sounders. This becomes especially true, when you consider how dire things looked following the decision to part ways with Sigi Schmid at the end of July.
However, this can be countered by the Sounders’ lack of playoff success in previous years. There have been several occasions when they looked primed to win their inaugural MLS Cup, only to fall short for one reason or another.
With this in mind, we now prepare to enter stage two of the Rave Green’s revenge tour, having dispatched of a Sporting KC side which beat them twice this season. Next up are FC Dallas, who knocked the Sounders out of the playoffs last year in such heartbreaking fashion.
As head coach Brian Schmetzer said: “I think we know we can play against Dallas, even though they’re a very good team…It should be a really tremendous series.”
Certainly, this promises to be an intriguing clash between two sides who are facing each other at the same stage for a third consecutive year. Let’s take a look at three keys, which will help determine if the Sounders can grab the advantage before heading to Texas for the second leg.