Seattle stretch run filled with danger

DON RUIZ

Last weekend, Seattle Sounders FC faced a Chivas USA team desperately hoping to revive some sort of pulse in Major League Soccer’s playoff race.

Today, the Sounders will face similarly focused Dallas FC, which ranks sixth in a Western Conference playoff hunt only five will survive.

“They’re at a stage where they really can’t afford to drop games – for sure, not to drop any home games,” Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. “So … they’re a team that’s going to be desperate in that regard.”

The Sounders had better get used to this. As the second-to-last month of the MLS season dawns, their schedule is heavy on opponents with do-or-die incentives. Next weekend brings Chivas again. Then comes a trip to Portland, which may be beyond a playoff push but will be looking for Cascadia Cup consolation. September’s final week will bring Supporters’ Shield leader San Jose; and a trip to Vancouver, which opens September clinging to the final playoff spot in the West.

Once the calendar flips to October, the stretch run could make matches even more intense.

“We still have a game with San Jose, and two against Dallas,” Schmid said. “The second one against Dallas, you don’t know where they’re going to be in the standings at that point. But, for sure, you look ahead and there are six tough games where we’re either fighting for points, or it’s a rivalry game, or we’re playing against a team that’s trying to make their effort to get into the playoffs.”

After an 0-6-1 slump at midseason, the healthier Hoops resurrected their playoff hopes with a 3-1 run in August. Dallas opened this weekend five points behind the fifth-place Whitecaps.

“The difference for them recently is (midfielder) David Ferreira,” Schmid said. “It took him a few games to get back into the rhythm, but then his rhythm got better. So with him, their team, everybody fits into places a little bit better. The structure seems to be better. He’s obviously a player who has attacking abilities and passing abilities. I’m sure Blas Perez will be back against us.

“Having those two guys back makes a big difference. George John (from Shoreline and UW) is back in the back, so that’s another player who helps them. And Brek Shea is back playing, as well.”

The Sounders also have unfinished business with nine regular-season games to go.

While playoff participation seems secure, Seattle opened the weekend seven points behind San Jose in the Supporters’ Shield race, having played one fewer game. The Sounders also were even with Real Salt Lake in the race for second place in the West, with two games in hand.

Seattle is 4-1 over its past five league matches, and 5-1-3 over its past nine.

Fredy Montero is the league’s hottest offensive player with six goals in August. Michael Gspurning has returned from injury to lead MLS keepers with a 0.70 goals-against average and a .792 winning percentage.

“We’ve been a good hot-weather team – I think historically, the top team in the second half of the season – and we’re starting to show that again,” Schmid said. “We’re doing well. We’re getting goals from different people now, which is really important.

“I think we’re there where we need to be. I think we’re competitive and we’re in position to make a move in league, and obviously in a position to advance here.”

SOUNDERS GAMEDAY

SOUNDERS FC (12-6-7; 43 POINTS) AT FC DALLAS (8-12-8; 32)

4 p.m., FC Dallas Stadium, Frisco, Texas

TV: Ch. 6/16. RADIO: 97.3-FM, 99.3-FM (Spanish).

CLUB LEADERS: For Seattle – goals 11, Eddie Johnson and Fredy Montero; asssits 13, Mauro Rosales; shots 90, Montero; shots on goal 34, Montero; goals-against average 0.70, Michael Gspurning. For Dallas – G 5, Fabian Castillo and Blas Perez; A 6 David Ferreira and Jackson; S 51, Brek Shea; SOG 19, Shea; GAA 1.33, Kevin Hartman.

HEAD TO HEAD: Seattle leads 3-1-3, and 2-0-2 away. Montero scored both goals in leading the Sounders to a 2-0 win May 9 in Frisco. The Hoops visit Seattle on Oct. 21.

NOTES: Montero has scored goals in four straight matches and has eight goals over his last seven games in all competitions. He led MLS with six goals in August. … Gspurning leads MLS in goals-against average and winning percentage (.792). Hartman is the MLS career leader in games played (410) and wins (179). … The forecast for Frisco calls for a game-time temperature of 99. … Dallas is 5-3-6 at home. Seattle is 4-3-6 on the road. … Perez (foot) is listed as probable. … Dallas defender George John is from Shoreline and played for UW. … Dallas leads MLS with 400 fouls suffered. … If Johnson receives a caution today he will miss the Chivas game next weekend because of yellow-card accumulation. … The referee is Sorin Stoica.

QUOTABLE: “His form is very good. Like we’ve always said, forwards are a little bit streaky. But he’s very confident right now. His movement off the ball is good, as well.” – Sounders coach Sigi Schmid on Montero.

NEXT: Chivas USA visits CenturyLink Field at 1 p.m. Saturday.

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