Ship’s Log, Nov. 3: Road warriors-ish

Going on the road in MLS is hard, and in the playoffs it is nigh impossible to win. The legendary Sigi Schmid, who won on the road regularly with the Seattle Sounders went 1-7-1, -10 during seven playoff campaigns. That was with good to great teams in the regular seasons, ones that won on the road frequently.

But the playoffs are different. They're a massive struggle for most sides. The best indicator of this may be MLS Cup, where road team victories are nearly zero. That fact is part of why the regular season matters so much.

Brian Schmetzer's Sounders are built a little different. He has a decent road record. A record that if emulated in Dallas on Saturday night could result in rest and relaxation for his squad.

His road playoff record is 3-4-3, -2.

His signature non-Cup final win was in 2019 over the much more talented LAFC. Dallas is not much more talented than the Sounders, especially not after losing Alan Velasco.

That's not to say it will be easy. Seattle has played playoff matches in Frisco three times, winning none of them.

Schmetzer has a few things going his way though. Everyone is healthy except for Reed Baker-Whiting. The offense is clicking. The defense is stout. And he's facing the team that helped solidify his candidacy for permanent head coach.

Here's to hoping that the Sounders get it done, so that all of Puget Sound can focus their Veteran's Day Weekend soccer energy on the Reign's quest for the Cup.

- Dave

Looking back at the week's news

It's a notes section this week.

• Sporting Kansas City is the only road team heading into MLS Round of Three match two with a win
• Saudi Women's Premier League player Maria Khan is living the dream
• The women's Ballon d'Or continues to be a farce
• Saudi Arabia set to host 2034 World Cup after Australia decides not to bid
• Celtic suspends Green Brigade group from matches
• Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Lose ‘Loads’ of Money From Wrexham AFC: ‘I’m Gonna Go Throw Up’
• How MLS Next Pro is cutting down on time-wasting
• LA-FIFA standoff at center of 2026 World Cup’s first battle: Who’s paying for it?
• Portland Timbers in final stages of hiring Phil Neville as next head coach
• The Seattle Sounders Seek Out a Sleek, Water-Inspired Rebrand
• Thierry Rautureau, Seattle’s Chef in the Hat, dies at 64

Puget Sound Soccer

The playoffs continue. Don't watch other soccer. Watch our teams, because they're amazing and capable of winning the Cup.

Saturday

Sounders at FC Dallas at 6 p.m. PT on MLS Season Pass.

Dallas head coach Estevez wants a "hostile" environment in Frisco. Dallas had 19,096 show up for their playoff match against Austin last season. After what went wrong for Dallas in Seattle they have to win two or their season is done. Seattle merely needs to win one of the next two games. As a reminder, there is no extra time in this round. A shootout win is worth as much as a regular-time win.

Sunday

Thorns vs Gotham at 4 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network. Go the Fighting Gothams. The winner heads to San Diego face the winner of the other semifinal.

Reign at San Diego Wave at 6:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network

The Clash of the Coolers returns for the fifth and most important time this year on Sunday night, when OL Reign travel to face San Diego Wave in an NWSL playoff semifinal. The winner will play for the championship in the same stadium next weekend, while the loser’s season will be done. OL Reign snapped an ignominious streak of playoff defeats two weeks ago when they bested Angel City FC in the quarterfinals, and are looking to extend their all-time undefeated streak against the Wave. The team is rallying around winning the final piece of silverware that’s eluded them before Megan Rapinoe hangs up her boots, but to get the opportunity they’ll first need to take down this year’s Shield winners.