In Handwalla Bwana’s post-match interview after the Portland friendly, the Homegrown midfielder made an intriguing comment about the team’s tactical game plan.
“The new system that we are playing is really good for the wingers because they get isolated 1v1,” he said, “and that’s what I’m good at.”
Throughout the preseason, players and coaches said the team was focusing heavily on building from the back and attacking combinations that unbalance the opposition’s defensive shape. Under Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, the key principles of the Sounders’ game model have centered on building from the back and sustaining possession in the opponent’s half to pull defenders out of position.