FRISCO, Texas -- As a team that has already won two trophies this year, the Seattle Sounders have good reason for confidence going into Monday’s second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs presented by AT&T.
But FC Dallas bring one weapon to the game that the Sounders -- and most other MLS clubs -- simply have not been able to stop: Brazilian free-kick specialist Michel.
Originally brought in as a left fullback, Michel has spent the majority of his time with Dallas as a central midfielder and he has become a set-piece specialist, both when serving in good balls for others to score and scoring directly himself. He has a perfect record on penalties this season, as well.
“We know it’s going to be a goal,” said Victor Ulloa, Michel’s central midfield partner. “7 for 7. We just know when he steps up and it’s a PK, it’s a goal. We know his set pieces are amazing.”
The concern for Seattle is that he has had a hand in a lot of goals against the Sounders, including two penalties this season, and Olimpico and an assist in the team’s 2013 meeting in Seattle. All told, Michel has two goals and two assists in three matches against the Sounders last year.
“He always somehow finds a way to get goals and assists against Seattle,” said team captain Matt Hedges. “That’s good for us. We need some stepping up.”
One aspect of Michel’s contribution to the team that is not as readily apparent is his work with Ulloa.
“They have grown a lot this year,” head coach Oscar Pareja said. “They have shared a lot of time together. Tactically, they know that those are the ones that I am more strict with. The quality of their tactical discipline during the year, especially the last semester, has been crucial for the team.”
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That "tactical discipline," a Pareja put it, is a good reminder that Michel cannot just be a freekick taker. He has larger responsibilities in the center of the midfield.
“Michel has a tremendous role in our group,” Pareja said. “He has the responsibility to cut plays from the other team, and also play some soccer and give it some ideas from that position.
“He is a player who knows his abilities and know his weaknesses, too. When we, as players, get at that point, when we understand what we should do better, then you are in the right place at the right moment. That is very valuable.”
