RENTON – Riding the high from a very good win over CF Montreal last weekend, the mood at Seattle Sounders training has been undeniably good in the lead-up to a trip to take on FC Dallas on Saturday.
"They were obviously in good spirits because of the last performance,” Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said after training on Thursday. “But the challenge there was just to make sure that we get them to repeat that kind of performance.”
That sentiment was echoed by center back Jackson Ragen: "I think we’re all feeling good, and we want to keep this feeling going. So just going down, try to win again, and we’ll be feeling again next week."
The cause for those good feelings is easy for anyone to see. Not only did the Sounders pick up their first win of the season, they dominated the game, kept a clean sheet, and were relentless in the attack as they piled up their five goals. For a team that’s struggled to put the ball in the net, scoring five goals in a game is a clear cause for joy, but the manner in which they were scored was of particular note to Schmetzer.
"The goals were different," he observed. "I mean, you know, there was a good mix. We’d like to be effective from different parts of our game, so I liked that part of it.
"You know, the individual brilliance, the danger we put teams under with our set pieces, I think Albert [Rusnák] had some good deliveries. Combination plays for Alex [Roldan]’s tap-in. You know, they were all good goals. Individual brilliance by [Danny] Musovski outside of the foot to [Dylan] Teves, good range of goals."
Finishing the game strong, as Seattle pushed their man advantage and added two goals after the 80th minute, was another highlight in the coach’s eyes. "It’s good for the fans. We have to know that we’re in the soccer business to win games, and we also want to entertain the fans,” said Schmetzer, indirectly acknowledging a complaint about the team’s recent performances. "It would have been a shame if we had nine men sat back and just kept the ball, it would have been boring."
Setting sights on Dallas
So how do they carry on from where they left off against Montreal? "Well, the plan is to stick with the program. We don’t deviate too much from our preparation,” Schmetzer explained. "We like the process that we have – there’s obviously tweaks that we’ve done to it – and we’re just gonna keep rolling."
FC Dallas are currently in 13th place in the West on four points through six games with a record of 1-4-1, and a -4 goal difference, making them one of two Western Conference teams below the Sounders in the table. Their lone victory of the season came in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes (the last place team in the West) in their opening game.
As Schmetzer puts it, "They’re a team that’s searching a little bit. Again, they’ve had some injuries to some significant players. Ferreira might be back, so that’s good for them."
Possibly recognizing a bit of his own side in an opponent who are likely better than their record so far, Schmetzer continued to describe what the Sounders will face against Dallas. "Good team, good team. They like to play, they’ve always liked to play, but they’ve been a little bit more direct as of late, so we’ll see. The new center forward that they have is a big kid, Arreola’s obviously got quality. It’s a good team."
Injury updates
- João Paulo had a lighter day of training on Thursday, but should be all clear for the weekend. That doesn’t mean he’ll start, though. "He is in contention to start, but the team just won 5-0, so it’s kinda hard for coaches to change a team that just won 5-0," said Schmetzer.
- Léo Chú had "two good days of training" this week according to the coach, as he continues to progress in his return.
- Similarly, Pedro de la Vega continues to work his way back, having joined the team for a part of training on Thursday. "He’ll be in more of training next week. Next week you’ll give me the same question, he’ll be in a lot more of training next week," Schmetzer said of the Young DP. "He’s a good kid, he works hard in the weight room, he does everything that the trainers are asking. There’s no worry that – does he like being outside with his teammates, is that the question? Absolutely."
