Yes, I’ve been looking at metaphor and analogy a lot lately. The uninspired play on the field demands it. How can you talk about a 4-2-3-1/3-2-4-1 hybrid or the demand for squad rotation due to the possibility of 11 matches in 36 days infinitely?
The club jettisoned its No. 3 centerback, their starting centerback is suspended and they will be forced to play without their starting right back for at least a match also due to a red. The latest injury report also has Nathan questionable (he’s a presumed starter if healthy, but… it’s 2024 and this is the Sounders).
Schmetzer’s preferred XI went into the trash on Matchday 1 and we’ve never seen it this year. Platonic Ideal XIs in MLS don’t happen for more than a handful of games. This weekend won’t be one of those. It will not be close.
If Nathan is indeed out, the natural idea is to slide Nouhou to the LCB. Except the backup fullback has to start on the right and the other swing fullback is still out.
So maybe Cristian has to play at fullback. Or Jon Bell, he of zero MLS minutes this season, gets a start at left back where he’s only started twice in league play, both in 2022 with New England after their league matches didn’t matter.
Which means the attacking band gets forced to change, too. The ’natural’ thing to do there would be to start Léo Chú on the left with the too-frequently-awful-on-the-right Jordan Morris on the right, or Moose? Who knows – will it matter? Attacking Sounders don’t get touches in the 18, only their deeper bands do.
A bad start to the season will get worse before it gets worse because the available choices aren’t good.
Do you want hope? Sure. I want it too. So may hope lies in one of the themes from The Magicians. “Magic comes from pain.” That saying is how Eliot bridged the friendship gap with Quentin. It’s how Julia got her powers back. It is a phrase that was cyclic. The worst experiences get channeled into greatness.
Pain —> art is frequent trope in writing, because so many artists grow out of their pain. They channel it into greatness and glory.
I’m asking the Sounders to create some magic, because the play on the field has been painful.
– Dave Clark
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Missed the week's Puget Sound soccer news? Here are our latest stories and our pro teams' schedule.
Sounders
Previewing Saturday's 4:30 pm PDT match at DC United on MLS Season Pass
- Six-day, two-city road trip gives Sounders chance to bond
- D.C. United are better than record suggests
Other articles
- Xavier Arreaga traded to New England Revolution
- Talk of dissension in locker room ‘bullshit,’ Stef Frei says
- We are in uncharted territory
- Alex Roldan takes responsibility for ‘unprofessional’ red card
- Mailbag episode for Week 11
- Realio’s Ratings: A new low against an old rival
- MLS Fantasy Week 10: New Perspectives
Reign
Seattle play at North Carolina Courage at 4 pm PDT on Saturday. The match is on KONG in the Seattle market and streaming on NWSL+ and KING+. Courage are 3-2.
Defiance
Tacoma have two weekends off after beating The Town 3-2.
Velocity
Spokane kicks off their quest for the USL Jägermeister Cup on Saturday at 3 pm PDT. ONE Spokane Stadium hosts Central Valley Fuego in the Group Stage match on ESPN+ and SWX. Fuego are 1-4-0 in league play. Their coach is Jermaine Jones.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
From the Seattle Times
What’s going wrong for the Sounders this season, and how can it be fixed? | Analysis A once fierce Sounders roster has slid down the standings as Seattle is off to its worst start since joining MLS in 2009. So what's next for the Sounders?
Also: Kraken leaving ROOT Sports for new TV and streaming deals
Seattle's World Cup planning has already started. KUOW looks at the planning around the men's World Cup. It's two years away which at times feels like forever and others feels like tomorrow.
NWSL MVP Tracker: Who are the best players in the league so far this season?
Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation’s 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup. Going with Shield runner-up means Reign did not qualify.
Current fires medical chief for player relationship.
Indianapolis plans to bid for MLS expansion team, raising questions on Indy Eleven future. They'll do so using the approved stadium project for Indy XI.
USA roster prediction: Who will play at Paris 2024 Olympics?. Three Sounders are still on the list, but unlikely to be selected.
MLS Power Rankings: Matchday 10. Seattle isn’t at the bottom.
NWSL’s rival league confirms first signings. Tampa is the first Super League team to sign players – that were cut from NWSL.
The Sports Bra announces plans to franchise with investment from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Yes, that’s the LAFC owner franchising out the Portland institution.
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