Waaaay back before the rash of injuries, the inability to convert chances to goals and the absurd defensive lapses, the Seattle Sounders were picked to contend for the Western Conference title, possibly even the Shield.
Then they had their worst start in their first nine matches, ever.
Everyone started to write Seattle off – which makes sense. They looked old, out-of-tune, static and still injured.
A funny thing happened. The Sounders played their best half of soccer as they flowed downhill overwhelming the Philadelphia Union, an Eastern Conference giant for the past several seasons.
Now, the Seattle Sounders are a win and three reasonable road losses away from a playoff spot. The West isn't quite as bad as predicted, but it's not good outside of the top four (which doesn't include LAFC at this time, but could by the end of the year).
No, seriously. The West is bad enough that if the Sounders win their next two matches and get a little help they could be as high as fifth.
Sure, things aren't fixed in Sounders-ville. They won't be for a while. But they're better and getting healthier. A not-impossible surge during the continuation of this 11 games in 36 days (because yes, Seattle should advance in the US Open Cup) run could put them right where they belong – with home-field advantage in the playoffs.
There's no guarantee. The last five matches do show the potential to be better, and a mere 1.4 ppm isn't going to do much to show playoff quality.
But, by being better – not great, just better – there's an opportunity, if they take it.
You can thank the West and Obed Vargas.
– Dave Clark
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Midweek games. Weekend action. Catch up on what happened with your favorite pro teams.
Sounders
Previewing Sunday's match at 3:45 pm PDT against LA Galaxy (Lumen Field, FS1, Apple TV)
Reviewing the Tuesday win
- Postgame Pontifications: Making their own breaks
- Bear with Us: Is this the break the Sounders needed?
- Realio’s Ratings: The kids are alright
- The Review: Sounders take a trip Back East
- Nervy but necessary
- Union vs. Sounders: Highlights, stats and quotes
Other
- MLS Fantasy Week 11: That’s just, like, your opinion, man
- Another soccer-inspired crossword puzzle
- MLS ‘Roster Profiles’ are positive step toward transparency
Reign
Previewing tonight's match at 7 pm PDT against San Diego Wave (Lumen Field and Prime Video)
Reviewing last weekend's action
Defiance
Defiance are off this weekend, watching the league results and prepping for next week's Open Cup match when a handful of players are likely to be called into service with the first team.
Velocity
Spokane is off this weekend. They're currently 5th in the Power Rankings, 2nd on the table (due to playing more games than most), and 4th in their small group of four in the USL Jägermeister Cup.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
How a controversial football shirt has torn apart a tournament - and led to the courtroom. A club in Morocco used a map claiming Western Sahara on their uniform. Their Algerian opposition opposes that claim. The only solution? court. One team will advance to the final.
New video board and fan zones part of BC Place's World Cup upgrades. The improvements are running at double the original budget.
U.S. Soccer and Mexican Football Federation to Pursue 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 2027 will be a competition between Brazil and a tri-nation European bid.
The NWSL has more billionaire owners than ever. Is that enough to hit the next level? Only one team has the same core owners as they did before the pandemic and not all of those on the market have added their billionaires yet (that's us, we're the one not still closed).
'Project ACL' launched to address knee injury epidemic in women's football.
Police: Orlando City goalkeeper arrested for disorderly conduct after nightclub altercation. The backup and his wife were both involved. Only the keeper was charged. That wasn't the only bar fight involving MLS players this last week. Cincinatti forward Aaron Boupendza had his jaw broken by a pro boxer.
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