Seattle
Sounders have only played in the MLS for 11 seasons. However, in each season
they have qualified for the play-offs making them one of the top teams in
America.
Despite
reaching the play-offs eleven times, the Sounders have just the one win to show
for it back in 2016. A record they want changed.
Can you take charge and build a dynasty in line with the Sounders current success? RealSport’s guide will help you on your way on FIFA 20 Career Mode.
Team Rating
Seattle Sounders have a three and a half star rating consisting of 72 attack, 73 midfield and 68 defence.
Formation
The Sounders default formation on FIFA 20 is a 4-2-3-1 wide. However, with their lack of pace and height we’d recommend switching to a 4-2-3-1 narrow or 4-4-1-1 attack to allow the forward players to play closer together. The latter allows star man Nicolas Lodeiro to play closer to the central striker and cause the defence problems higher up the pitch.
The experienced Stefan Frei is the undisputed number one behind a back four of Kelvin Leerdam, Kim Kee Hee, Romain Torres (93 strength) and the pacey Nouhou (84 Pace).
The central midfielders have youth on their side - 23-year-old Cristian Roldan partners Emanuel Cecchini (81 Potential) who can boss your midfield for the next decade.
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Jordan Morris (86 Pace) and Victor Rodriguez take up the wide positions and will seek to support the front two. Captain Lodeiro occupies the space behind lone striker Raul Ruidiaz (80 Finishing).
On the bench, a blend of youth and experience covers all bases. Teenager Trey Muse is the backup GK while Xavier Arreaga and Saad Abdul-Salaam (height - 6’4”) provide defensive cover.
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Experienced Swede Gustav Svensson supports the two midfielders with the versatile Joevin Jones and Handwalla Bwana replacements in the wide areas. Will Bruin (87 Strength) is a target man option off the bench.
Tactics and Instructions
Offensively,
the Sounders employ a balanced tactic. This suits them as they aren’t equipped
with lightning pace and the possession tactic can also benefit their
system. Either of these two should suit the team and allow the forward players
to link play.
Seattle’s default defensive style is to press after possession loss. Retain this tactic as your lineup has excellent Stamina attributes allowing you to press your opponent all game.
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Bruin is an
excellent option off the bench with his capabilities as a target man. He can
compliment the smaller forwards and challenge for aerial balls hoping the likes
of Lodeiro and Ruidiaz can latch on to the loose ball.
Individual instructions can fine tune your team’s tactics and get them playing exactly as you would like. While playing a 4-4-1-1 attack, allow Lodeiro to play ‘false 9’. This will make him drop into midfield to receive the ball and create space for others.
Balanced width will suit the wide players, however left back Nouhou can overlap effectively. Set the left winger to ‘cut inside’ and Nouhou to ‘overlap’ to provide offensive support from the left.
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If you find yourself exposed at the back, set one of the central midfield players to ‘stay back while attacking’ to provide extra defensive cover in front of the defence. Alternatively, set the same tactic for the right back so he tucks in while Nouhou can raid forward.
Training
Training your young players will create long-term success for the Sounders team. There are several young players with the potential to be first team players, so making the most of training sessions is important.
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We recommend developing Trey Muse (POT 71), Nouhou (POT 75), Arreaga (POT 72), Cecchini (POT 81) and Bwana (POT 73). Jordan Morris should also be considered.
The
Transfer Market
Starting transfer budget: £21 million
Starting wage budget: £26,000 a week
Who
should go?
The
Sounders have a squad of 27 players which includes Brad Smith who has been
loaned in. This means that you can sell up to seven players to increase your
transfer budget and revamp an ageing squad.
Goalkeeper Bryan Meredith (£180k) is surplus to requirements as you will rarely need three GK’s on FIFA 20 Career Mode. With only eight defenders in the squad, you should employ a one in one out policy, so you don’t leave yourself too thin on defensive cover.
READ MORE: FIFA 20 Career Mode – Contract expiry signings ending in 2020
Midfielders Jordy Delem (£325k) and Harry Shipp (£500k) can also be added the
to transfer list as the Sounders have better options in their respective
positions. Playing with just one striker will allow you to sell up to three
forwards, we recommend adding Justin Dhillon (£575k) and Luis Silva (£675k) to the transfer list.
The sale of
these five players should add an extra £1.5m to your transfer budget and around
£9k in wages.
Loans
Teenagers Trey
Muse (POT 71) and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (POT 74) can be loaned,
however only loan Muse if you keep Meredith as your back up GK. Alex Roldan (POT 71) is another player who can be loaned to help him reach his potential
faster than he would sitting in the reserves.
Who to Sign?
New transfer budget: £22 million
New wage budget: £35,000 a week
Pacey Forward
Seattle
Sounders are in desperate need of some pace in their forward line. Morris is
the only attacker with pace stat above 80! A left midfielder with pace and high
potential should be a priority signing.
Argentine teenager Agustin Urzi is a pacey left sided midfielder with the potential to reach 89 overall. Starting at just 69 OVR, Urzi can still offer plenty to your side whether that is in a starting role or coming off the bench.
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The
18-year-old who can also play in central midfield will cost you up to £8
million, still leaving plenty of money in the bank to improve your squad
elsewhere.
Alternate
Options:
- Pedro de le Vega – Lanus, Age 18, OVR 70, POT 88, Cost: £5 million, Wage: £4,000 a week
- Tete – Shakhtar, Age 19, OVR 72, POT 85, Cost: £7 million, Wage: £900 a week
- Florinel Coman – FCSB, Age 21, OVR 72, POT 85, Cost: £9 million, Wage: £9,000 a week
- Jota – Benfica, Age 20, OVR 72, POT 85, Cost: £8 million, Wage: £6,000 a week
- Francis Amuzu – Anderlecht, Age 19, OVR 70, POT 82, Cost: £4 million, Wage: £6,000 a week
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First
Choice Centre Back
The Sounders defence is the weakest area of their squad. Signing an imposing centre back would improve the team considerably. Age is not so much of a concern with two CB’s in the squad under 25 years old.
Pedro Henrique from Vitoria would be a fantastic signing for the Sounders. With 77 OVR and potential to reach 80, the Brazilian would be one of the top players in the squad. Be prepared to spend half of your war chest though as he won’t come cheap.
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Standing at
6’3” and boasting 91 strength, Henrique can dominate attackers with his physicality
alone. He also has the leadership and team player traits making him captain
material.
Alternate
Options:
- Ruben Semedo – Olympiacos, Age 25, OVR 76, POT 81, Cost: £10 million, Wage: £900 a week
- Ike Opara – Minnesota, Age 30, OVR 75, POT 75, Cost: £7 million, Wage: £7,000 a week
- Pape Cisse – Olympiacos, Age 23, OVR 74, POT 81, Cost: £9 million, Wage: £900 a week
- Dino Arslanagic – Royal Antwerp, Age 26, OVR 74, POT 77, Cost: £7 million, Wage: £10,000 a week
- Iago – Moreirense, Age 27, OVR 73, POT 76, Cost: £5 million, Wage: £8,000 a week
Contracts
There are 11 players in the squad with just one year left on their contracts. Frei, Kim Kee Hee, Leerdam, Rodriguez and Cristian Roldan should take priority as five starting players. Torres and Bruin will also play larger roles in the squad and should also be offered new contracts.
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The other four
players with their contracts running out are Meredith, Svensson, Delem and Shipp. Although these players are not crucial to the squad, it is
not worth losing them for nothing later on.
Managerial Objectives
The
Sounders board’s main priority is the MLS, they want results. In the first
season they want you to reach the Playoff Final. They are not as
bothered about the U.S. Open Cup so that could be your chance to rest players
and test out different tactics.
Youth Development is a low priority, although it is worth buying at least one scout as they can unearth you a gem. The board only want one midfielder signed to the academy in the first season and for them to be played in five matches.
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Brand
Exposure will go hand in hand with your results. Play well and the fans will
come to watch. Selling out at least 70% of your home games should be
easy if you are challenging for the Playoffs.
With the Financial objective a medium priority, don’t put too much time into reducing player wages by £9,000 as you want your squad to be challenging the best in the MLS.
READ MORE: FIFA 20: MLS Player of the Month Prediction October
Full
Seattle Sounders Player Ratings
Player | Age | Pos | Country | OVR | POT | Value | Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeepers | |||||||
S.Frei | 32 | GK | United States | 73 | 73 | £2.2m | £5k |
B.Meredith | 29 | GK | United States | 61 | 62 | £180k | £1k |
T.Muse | 19 | GK | United States | 55 | 71 | £130k | £450 |
Defenders | |||||||
K.Leerdam | 28 | RB LB | Netherlands | 70 | 70 | £1.4m | £4k |
S.Abdul-Salaam | 27 | RB LB | United States | 65 | 65 | £475k | £2k |
Kim Kee Hee | 29 | CB RB | Korea Republic | 70 | 70 | £1.3m | £4k |
X.Arreaga | 24 | CB | Ecuador | 67 | 72 | £825k | £2k |
R.Torres | 32 | CB | Panama | 70 | 70 | £1m | £4k |