Last week the Seattle Sounders were gifted the absence of two of Portland’s best three attackers. And that kind of helped – the Timbers’ potent offense scored just one goal.
Seattle didn’t score.
This week, the list of absences for Columbus is enormous.
- Cucho, their best attacker and one of the greatest in the league, is on international duty
- All three keepers with an appearance in MLS are apparently out. Schulte and his backup are on international duty. Third keeper Evan Bush (not the former Sounder fullback) is injured.
- Two of their most frequently used defenders are on international duty.
- Also out on international duty is their fifth-best attacker in 2024.
It's a great opportunity. Even if Seattle is going to be missing four starters (Frei, Nouhou, Vargas, João Paulo) and backup forward Ruidíaz. Missing two central mids means that Cristian Roldan will almost certainly start with Josh Atencio. Reed Baker-Whiting will likely be at left back. Thomas has done quite well as a keeper.
It also provides Schmetzer the chance to fiddle with his wingers.
Pedro de la Vega could start on the left, with the right going to Paul Rothrock or Georgi Minoungou to start.
For all those changes, facing what could be a fourth-string keeper with weakened defense in front of him, Seattle has a great opportunity to take down what has been the best club over the past two seasons.
Opportunity.
Seattle just had a great one. They failed to seize it.
Seattle also recently had a good one, hosting the second-best team over the last two seasons at Starfire. They failed there, too.
Seattle also had another decent one, hosting that same second-best team over the last two seasons in a win-or-go-home match when said team isn’t as good at those games as they are in the regular season. Seattle failed.
It’s fine to have opportunity.
It’s what you do with those chances that matters more than getting the chance.
If you’re an understudy and the starter is unavailable do you pull a Paulie and take over the gig? Or does it immediately go back to the original player when they’re healthy again?
In what has become a recurring theme for the Sounders, they have an opportunity to show that they’re on the edge of greatness.
Unfortunately, this season has started to teach us that they may only be on the edge of goodness, because after enough failed opportunities this is not an org that belongs in the conversations as a second-tier squad. Instead they look like the minimum viable product.
I’d be happier to be proven wrong.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday at Columbus Crew, the 4:30 pm PDT match is on MLS Season Pass (paid). Crew can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Sounders enter the weekend 8th in the West. They can finish the weekend between 5th and 8th. Columbus have 13 points in their last 6 MLS matches (2nd in league). Seattle have 12 points in their last six matches (7th).
- Raúl Ruidíaz doesn’t travel with Sounders to Columbus
- Pedro de la Vega’s fitness continues to make progress
- Raúl Ruidíaz tells Sounders he’s leaving at end of ’24, sources say
- Postgame Pontifications: An all-too familiar story
- Nos Audietis: When vibes go from bad to worse
- Lobbing Scorchers: Absolutely Gutted
- Realio’s Ratings: Hopes dashed
- Pain in Portland: Sounders drop dispiriting result to Timbers
Reign
Next match: Tonight at Angel City on Prime Video at 7 pm PDT. Angel City are 9th and Reign are 11th. ACFC have 9 points in their last six NWSL matches. Seattle have 10 points in their last six, without a loss.
- Match Preview: Seattle Reign vs. Angel City
- Seattle Reign sign Jordyn Huitema through 2026
- The Cooler Guild: Ji So-Clutch
- Seattle Reign FC acquire defender Hanna Glas from Kansas City
- Valkyratings: Discouraging Carolina edition
- Reign come from behind to steal three points in Louisville
Defiance
Next match: Sunday hosting Timbers2 at Starfire. The 7 pm PDT match is available on YouTube. Defiance are 4th in the conference, 1 point off of the division title. T2 are 9th in the conference.
Spokane
Saturday, Velocity host Central Valley Fuego at 6 pm PDT. You can watch on ESPN+. Spokane are 8th, five points above the playoff line. Jermaine Jones' Fresno team are in last, six points below the line.
Sunday, Zephyr host Brooklyn at 6 pm PDT. You can catch the match on Peacock if you are in the US. It's Brooklyn's season opener. Spokane drew 1-1 in their opener.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
This one goes out to Alex Morgan. The one-time Sounders Women forward and US National Team legend is calling it a career after this weekend's game. At one point she was the most well known women's soccer player in the world. She's among the greatest scorers to ever play. Thank you, Baby Horse, for playing this game better than almost everyone, leading with your heart and sharing your family with us all.
Clive Charles again made the final ballot for the Soccer Hall of Fame. They better do the right thing.
Sounders are at an inflection point. Doyle sees two paths forward.
Lumen is adding lots of new food options for the Seahawks season. If history has taught us anything, most of them won’t be available at Sounders or Reign games.
Next year's Club World Cup will put Obed Vargas in front of the world's eyes.
The likely NWSL rookie of the year’s season ends early after a first pitch injury.
Quinn and Laurel Ivory are two of the top NWSL free agents next year.
The Philadelphia Eagles can't wear home team green during tonight's NFL game in Brazil, because the host soccer team despises the color.
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