Major League Soccer heads to for another week as Orlando City SC welcome Seattle Sounders FC to town The Sounders will want to improve their home form while Orlando, with new head coach Jason Kreis at the helm, will look to continue Seattle's miserable season and get a vital away win.
The Sounders, under interim coach Brian Schmetzer, have not outright stated they have given up on their playoff hopes but the club, as a whole, will definitely want to get more than just a point this time around, and move up the table. Orlando, are two points away from a playoff spot themselves and have two games in hand over the teams above them. A win in Seattle will push them right into the playoff spots.
Seattle will look to new man Lodeiro
Nicolas Lodeiro looked right at home during his debut last week against the Los Angeles Galaxy. His movement on and off the ball was sharp, and for someone who had only practiced with his new team for a limited amount of time, his ability to find his teammates on a regular basis was encouraging for Seattle fans. He was able to find great balls that cut open the Galaxy back line time and time again, and most of all, Lodeiro managed to work up an interesting partnership with Clint Dempsey. After another week of full practice together, the coaching staff will hope to see Lodeiro and Dempsey take their partnership to the next level and hopefully help them to more wins this season.
Defensive issues are still there for Seattle
This has been an ongoing issue for the Sounders as they continually fail to stop shipping goals at the worst possible time. Stefan Frei has been immense and so has Chad Marshall but those around them have been horribly inconsistent and it has cost Seattle vital points all throughout the season. That will have to change if the Sounders want all three points this weekend and in future matches. Brad Evans, Tyrone Mears and Joevin Jones must find some consistency and get their concentration back for a full 90 minutes if Seattle want to win against Orlando this weekend. The Sounders cannot continue to rely on their attacking talent to cover up the cracks that their defense continues to show.
Orlando's away form needs to improve
Jason Kreis got off to a winning start against the New England Revolution at home last weekend, but it's the away matches that will show how much he has and can improve Orlando by. Orlando has only managed one win in ten away matches which has placed them out of a playoff spot and what led to the exit of previous head coach Adrian Heath. After a great spell with Real Salt Lake where he brought defensive stability to the club, Orlando will be hoping that Kreis can do the same for them as they, like Seattle, have defensive issues as well.
Kaká can lead the way for Orlando
There is no doubting Kaká's talent and with him in top form, Orlando have a creative force that few can match in the MLS. Orlando has been able to find the back of the net on a consistent basis and will look to their Brazilian maestro to set up his teammates and get another win on the bounce after having gone without one for two months. Cyle Larin continues to be Orlando's main striker as he has eleven goals so far this season and with Kaká sitting just behind him, he can rely on the Brazilian to find him in space and in front of goal as often as possible.
Prediction
Seattle Sounders FC 2, Orlando City SC 2.