Oppo Research: 5 Things about Seattle Sounders

In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder at Heart to learn more about the Seattle Sounders, New York City FC's opponent on Decision Day at Citi Field. Here is your NYCFC vs Sounders preview.

1. Seattle had a mixed regular season

Hudson River Blue: After defeating Inter Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final, Seattle Sounders went on a four-game winless streak in MLS. But then the Sounders won back-to-back league games and will finish 5th Place in the Western Conference regardless of what happens on Decision Day. How do you assess the Sounders' regular season?

Jeremiah Oshan: I think the regular season has been a bit of a mixed bag. In a sense, it's been impressive how they've managed it while juggling multiple competitions. But in another, this is their second-lowest finish in the Western Conference table. For a team many pegged as Supporters' Shield contenders, that has to be seen as a disappointment.

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2. Alex Roldan's been extremely versatile

HRB: Alex Roldan has been fantastic this season, slotting in at center-back and right-back when needed because of injuries. He’s someone who has gone under the radar, but how important has he been to Seattle’s success this season?

JO: If there were an unsung hero award, I think Roldan would be a really good contender. He's not putting up flashy numbers, but he is an excellent crosser who plays sound defense and can be relied upon to play all over the pitch. In the RSL game, for instance, he started at center-back and then moved into the defensive midfield for the last 30 minutes. I think Sounders fans are finally starting to fully appreciate what he brings.

3. Leading scorer Danny Musovski lost his spot

HRB: Leading goal scorer Danny Musovski has 14 goals this season, but hasn’t scored in his last five appearances. Jordan Morris has started up top in the previous three games, but is also on a goal-scoring drought. What’s going on between the two of them?

JO: Musovski has been excellent, no question there. Few people are better about putting themselves in dangerous scoring positions, and he finishes enough of those chances. But he's also a somewhat limited player. Morris is a better defender, a much better passer, and is better in hold-up play while also being very good at getting into dangerous positions.

Neither player is exactly clinical in their finishing, but I'm not someone who gets too wrapped up in that stuff. I think the Sounders are simply a better holistic team when Morris is on the field, and expect he'll be the starter for as long as this season goes.

4. The X-Factor: Seattle's health

HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?

JO: It's a little counterintuitive to say the "x-factor" is health, but the reality is the Sounders have used 45 different lineups in their 46 matches across all competitions this season. They've yet to use what I think most would agree is their "Ideal XI" even once. That probably won't happen against NYCFC – Yeimar Gomez Andrade is likely still out – but they should be as close to full strength as they've been all year.

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5. Predicted score, Starting XI

HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?

JO: The Sounders don't have a great record of going to the East Coast, and this will be the first time they've played at Citi Field. I think they'd be fully satisfied with a point. Let's say 1-1.