Did you know that one of the greatest artists of all time released their latest album this week? Of course you did.
Pearl Jam's Dark Matter came out Friday with a special edition available as part of Record Store Day. An accomplished lyricist connected to Seattle forever, Eddie Vedder's latest set of poetry contains some stanzas that remind you of Puget Sound and our frequently failing sports teams.
'Wreckage' speaks to every winner having a losing streak – a territory the Seattle Sounders tread too often. There are mentions of dark days and rains and the sun about to peek out as our early springs transition to the summers that fill postcards.
In 'Something Special' he speaks to the potential greatness and learning from failure.
'every setback now but a chance to grow'
It's an album that is deep, dark. At the same time it's hopeful. It returns to what Pearl Jam were at their best, while stepping forward into their more mature life.
The Seattle Sounders need to heed that same call – a return to what was core while stepping forward. They need to be special, not wreckage.
We all see the potential. The reasons for hope and dreams are real. As are the steps towards failure as they run on a treadmill to nowhere, about to enter their next phase.
Have they broken the habit of excellence?
We'll know for certain by the end of May, with its two-trophy gauntlet jammed with midweek games.
Saturday night, celebrating rock fan Marcus Hahnemann, in the light sprinkles of rain the Seattle Sounders celebrate the pods of orcas, 50 years and the mild-rivalry with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
That's all great history.
But what's tomorrow's history? Is it Wreckage or Something Special?
– Dave Clark
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Missed the week's Puget Sound soccer news? Here are our latest stories and our pro teams' schedules
Sounders | 1-3-3, +2 in 12th
Previewing Saturday night's home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps (7:39 p.m. PDT on MLS Season Pass)
- Three questions with Soccer Talk Vancouver
- Sounders will have hands full with Whitecaps
- Stefan Frei isn’t interested in making excuses
- Pedro de la Vega suffers another injury
Other stories:
- Realio’s Ratings: A draw that felt like a loss
- Nos Audietis: Here we go again?
- MLS Fantasy Week 9: Bad Beats
- Sounders will host Louisville City in U.S. Open Cup
- Mailbag episode for Week 9
Reign | 1-3-0, -2 in 12th
On Sunday Seattle host Chicago Red Stars at Lumen Field (3 p.m. PDT on NWSL+, KONG, KING+)
Defiance | 3-2-0, +4 in 5th
On Sunday Defiance host Whitecaps 2 at Starfire (7 p.m. PDT on MLS Season Pass)
Velocity | 2-2-1, -1 in 5th
Spokane lost to the Las Vegas Lights on the road in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. Saturday they face Richmond Kickers, who are coached by former Sounder Darren Sawatzky. The 3 p.m. PDT is on ESPN+ and on SWX in Spokane.
Purchasing the new jersey or planning to get MLS Season Pass? Use our affiliate links to toss some coin to your bloggers.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know, headlines only edition.
Dive into greatness with our inaugural season jerseys 🌊
— West Seattle Junction FC (@ws_junctionfc) April 17, 2024
Our colors embody the water we live by, and the last light of sunset that dips below the Puget Sound during the summer season.#WalkAllWays #USL2 #WestSeattle pic.twitter.com/VOLDkkfS8i
- NWSL Power Rankings: KC stays unbeaten as Marta helps Pride soar
- Portland Thorns and Racing Louisville are NWSL's last two winless teams, but for entirely different reasons
- NWSL Weekend Take-Off: Chawinga taking over, Thorns still adrift
- The NWSL weekend preview: Portland and Seattle are looking for a change in fortunes
- Thorns name Mike Norris as Technical Director, appoint Rob Gale interim head coach
- Sam Meza has bought into the process at Seattle Reign FC
- Rondos, Rookies & Reign
- Jenni Hermoso: The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The 20 best players yet to make a USMNT appearance
- Vanni Sartini: Inside the mind of Vancouver Whitecaps' Italian coach
- Raúl Ruidíaz: Seattle Sounders legend driven to "never settle for anything"
- Behind the numbers: Where MLS teams have improved and regressed in 2024
- USL Eugene announces plans to bring professional soccer to Eugene, Ore.
- Shevchenko's polygraph plan to clean up Ukrainian refereeing - and why it's working
- West Sound Soccer provides club sport for girls | Bainbridge Island Review
- Homelessness and the Beautiful Game
- Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s A Touch More Sets First Scripted Series With Soccer Romance ‘Cleat Cute’
- How the Seattle Storm became the WNBA's most valuable team
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