Ship's Log, July 16: Open windows

Dave Clark -

The Seattle Sounders are on the verge of winning a trophy.

My old, slow brain needs to review that statement, because it's not something I expected back in May. But making the semis for the US Open Cup is a big deal. That puts them one home game from a final – and they're very good at Starfire over the decades.

The Leagues Cup is about to start and that's only seven matches from a trophy, with both group stage games at home. Minnesota United is just behind Seattle in the MLS standings, but well behind on recent form (Sounders are 7th hottest team by Sagarin while the Loons are 23rd). Necaxa is cursed with two road matches and has started off with a 1-1-0, +0 record in early league play. The winner of the group faces the second best team of Chivas, the 'Quakes (a very bad team) and the Galaxy.

MLS silverware? That's well down the road. But it's possible to believe that the window is open again, if things roll right (unlike Messi's ankle for example).

When the window to trophies is open an organization should act to maximize that opportunity.

On Thursday the transfer window opens.

It's unlikely that the Sounders will be selling/buying anyone out. Schmetzer is happy with Raul.

‘I’d like to keep him’: Brian Schmetzer on Raúl Ruidíaz
Despite rumors of interest from Perú, all indications are that Ruidíaz will remain with Sounders.
Sounder at HeartJeremiah Oshan

It doesn't make too much sense to sell Obed Vargas or Reed Baker-Whiting at this time. That means they don't have much salary cap space. But they do have some.

With the trophy window open and the transfer window open, what types of talents should Waibel & Co. look for?

  • Attacking midfield depth, particularly on the wing. Yes, Pedro de la Vega looks legit. Yes, Léo Chú probably had his best non-score contributing outing of his Sounders career. Also, the youth is doing well on the wings, for youth. But the total goal contributions in the attacking band for players not named Albert Rusnák is low – a paltry 10 scattered between five players. There’s already a rumor that fits this bill.
  • A third forward. Danny Musovski's resume was strong. His contract is reasonable. His performance isn't up to what's expected. Seattle's second forward situation is fine, but a third wouldn't hurt.
  • Attacking fullback. As Alex Roldan's contributions in the attack are fading, as Cristian is nearly required to be a utility knife and as unlikely as it is for RBW to spend years here, the Sounders could look at an attacking fullback. These are often findable at good values, which is nice.

Will they add three pieces? Probably not. Is it a failure to only add one? No.

Not bolstering the squad depth at all would be a mistake. There's trophies at stake and hope in the air, with the biggest club tournament ever on the horizon. Let's take advantage of the windows.

The MLS transfer window is open Thursday, July 18 to Wednesday, August 14.

Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch or subscribing to MLS Season Pass.

Catching up on Sounder at Heart

What you need to get ready for the week's action.

Sounders

Next match: Wednesday night hosting St. Louis City at 7:30 pm PDT on MLS Season Pass.

Recapping the 1-0 win

Other stories

Reign

Next match: Friday night hosting Utah Royals in the Summer Cup at 6 pm cPDT on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

Defiance

Next match: Saturday in a closed door match at Lumen Field hosting LAFC2 at noon. You can still watch on MLSNextPro.com

Velocity

Next match: July 19 at Central Valley Fuego in the USL Jägermeister Cup on ESPN+.

USL2 Teams

Ballard and United PDX made the playoffs. Ballard is hosting the four-team quarters and semis Friday and Sunday. They are playing at Interbay after the regular season was at Memorial.

Tacoma Stars finished in third, just six points behind Ballard and PDX. No other team in the Northwest had a positive goal differential.

Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

Messi and Argentina won the Copa America over the weekend. Long term the tournament will be remembered for the fans rushing the gates creating unsafe conditions at the gate and in the stadium. Short term it will be remembered for Messi's swollen ankle. Among the dozens arrested are the President of the Colombia football federation.

Inter Messi isn't the only team competing for the Supporters Shield that will be without their star. Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango is suspended for two league matches, a Leagues Cup match and the All Star Game for violation of the MLS anti-harassment policy.

The contest for the eyeballs of soccer fans was won by the Copa America, as the viewership on Univision alone outpaced FOX's coverage of the Euros. Maybe that will influence the broadcast bids for the men's Club World Cup 2025, which is now open for individual nation bidding as the global process didn't meet FIFA's demands.

Stu Hawkins is the only Sounder with the USMU20s. But there was a chance that two other Sounders were on the list. Reed Baker-Whiting was kept in Seattle to win games and Obed Vargas switched national teams.

Another international break, another time to recognize that Jess Fishlock is one of Wales greatest athletes of all time.

Former Defiance head coach John Hutchinson is now in charge at Yokohama.

This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011. You can join their mailing list here.