The Daily Dirt, March 31: Outshined

Most eyes in American soccer will be on CenturyLink Field tonight in Seattle as the Sounders host Atlanta United for the first time. The game will be broadcast on FS1 starting at 10:00 p.m. If you update your official Atlanta United app, you can listen to our 92.9 The Game radio call there.

I’m very interested to see how much of an edge this game has in the early going. These teams played in the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, and that match got very chippy late. Atlanta jumped out to a big lead against a second-string Seattle lineup. When Seattle’s starters came into the game late against Atlanta’s reserves, there were plenty of contentious challenges and animated discussions after the final whistle. Even Tata Martino and Brian Schmetzer seemed to have a not-so-friendly chat at the conclusion of the match. Will that carry over to tonight’s match?

Schmetzer says that his national team players will be available tonight, Martino was not so sure yet.

Just based off how much they played during the international break, I’d say Carmona is the most likely to play tonight, with Almiron next and Jones the least likely. Even if they do start, keep an eye on their effectiveness and energy levels. They might not be able to see out the full 90 minutes.

Seattle is most vulnerable defensively on their left side with Joevin Jones often pushing forward into the attack. Atlanta can attack behind Jones and stretch the defensive midfield pairing of Cristian Roldan and Osvaldo Alonso. Tito Villalba will need to be a big factor for Atlanta to get a result on the road tonight.

If Lodeiro and Dempsey play tonight for Seattle, Atlanta cannot fall asleep defensively. The creativity from those two is the key to the Sounders’ attack. The defensive midfield will also need a little extra support tonight as Seattle’s attack is pretty narrow with the exception of the outside backs pushing forward. Lodeiro pinches in as a #10 often and Dempsey is in a free role behind the striker. One defensive midfielder might not be enough to stifle the Seattle attack.

Let us know what you think will happen tonight in the comments...

Domestic

Seattle Sounders linked to one of Miguel Almiron’s teammates on the Paraguayan national team (Sounder at Heart)

Analysis of the massive trade that sends Kekuta Manneh from the Vancouver Whitecaps to the Columbus Crew (MLS)

Oscar Pareja signs a new long-term contract extension with FC Dallas (Big D Soccer)

Former DC United goalkeeper Charlie Horton takes Fabian Espindola, Ben Olsen, DC United, and MLS to court (Black and Red United)

Benny Feilhaber will be out injured for Sporting Kansas City tonight (KansasCity.com)

Every MLS club’s top academy prospect (MLS)

Joe Cole reportedly signs a new deal with the Tampa Bay Rowdies (ESPN)

Nashville continues to make its case as a MLS city (SBI Soccer)

Louisville City ruins Orlando City B’s home opener (Orlando Sentinel)

International

Breakdown of new World Cup allocations per confederation (SB Nation)

FIFA completes its internal investigation into corruption claims (Sky Sports)

Rafa Marquez appears to be set for a fifth World Cup with Mexico (FourFourTwo)

Local