Seattle's attack started the game somewhat listlessly and Sporting Kansas City had the far better of the play early on, but the Sounders defense held strong against significant pressure from the visitors and took control of the run of play for the remainder of the half. Kansas City adjusted well tactically and have managed to bunker down effectively and generate enough pressure on the counter to keep things open and flowing well.
Seattle started in a diamond 4-4-2 with Servando Carrasco on the right and the youngster has looked far less comfortable out wide than he does at his normal holding midfield position. As Kansas City made headway down the flanks the formation shifted more towards a 4-3-3 with Fredy Montero on the left, Roger Levesque on the right and Mauro Rosales in the center with the three swapping positions on occasion.
Seattle made a great deal of noise towards the end of the half but were unable to muster much on the way of clear-cut opportunities at goal. The Servando Carrasco as wide midfielder experiment was an interesting idea, but he's been very poor and some sort of tactical shift will be needed if Seattle hope to assert themselves more effectively in the attack. Seattle defense has been largely excellent, but if Kansas City smell a point as time goes on their approach is likely to become more conservative. An appearance by Lamar Neagle, Mike Fucito or Nate Jaqua as early as the second half kickoff would not be much of a surprise at all.