Seattle's hot right now. Hotter than LAFC. Hotter than the Galaxy. Hotter than Miami, or RSL or Cincinnati. Only the Crew are better over the last 6 or 8 games.
As usual, when the Seattle Sounders are at their best it starts with defense. They're number one for goals against in the last 8 matches. The attack is merely in the top third, which isn't a surprise – the Sounders have one great scorer and one great assister. The other teams all have two great scorers and some also have an assist man.
What sets Seattle apart during that stretch is not big money, big names. Those teams competing for the Supporters' Shield all have All Stars and spend money.
Why is Seattle hot?
The talent in this region. The Sounders are the people of the Sound.
This hot streak is most notable because of Jordan Morris. His play at center forward has been exceptional now that people are finding his runs. Morris is basically from the end of a developmental era. He came up through high school soccer on Mercer Island, moreso than via Academies and clubs. His coach? A former Sounder. His dad, as we all know, also a Sounder.
That defense that's the best in the league, as is tradition, is towered over by Jackson Ragen. Ragen and his elementary school buddy Paul Rothrock didn't follow the traditional Academy-to-MLS path either.
Seattle has an Olympian, too. The third-best DM on the team is Josh Atencio, who comes to the org from a family in the Tri Cities, via Bellevue and Maple Valley. Obed Vargas, another Academy product, nearly joined that Olympic team, too.
The list is long. Let's not do a listicle.
According to Jeremiah Oshan the Sounders Academy has contributed 45% of the goals on the team, 39% of the xG+xA. A majority of the team that beat St. Louis came from the development path (Academy and/or S2/Defiance).
Tonight's starters will likely include four or five that fit that description. The bench will have another four or five, only lessened because one is in Marseilles, another is at the Concacaf U-20s and a third is injured.
Three of the top four players by minutes this season spent time in the Academy. Three of the top six players by non-penalty xG+xA are from the Academy, too. Half of the top six for progressive carries and progressive passes come from training grounds along the Duwamish.
Seattle's success is fueled by our pines and Sound, our mountains and people.
When the Seattle Sounders win their next trophy under Seattle-born Brian Schmetzer it won't be because they bought a mercenary – it'll be because of the people raised up in the skies of blue and the seas of green.
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 weekend's action.
Sounders
Next game: Seattle hosts LAFC at Lumen Field tonight at 7:30 p.m. PDT on MLS Season Pass. If you are going please hydrate and wear sun protection.
Previewing the match
- Everything you need to know about Sounders-LAFC
- Nos Audietis: LAFC pose biggest test of season
- How does Pedro de la Vega factor in Sounders’ ideal XI?
Trebor Tracy
Other stories
- Postgame Pontifications: Prelude to a test
- Scouting Report: Dario Špikić
- Entertainment business veteran joins Sounders, Reign as CRO
- Lobbing Scorchers: Saved by the Bell
- New MLS roster rules expand roster flexibility
- Ring the Bell: Sounders win fifth straight behind backup CB
Reign
Seattle beat Utah Royals in the Summer Cup Friday night. They now have a week to prepare to host Tijuana.
- Seattle Reign open Summer Cup with one to enjoy
- Reign vs. Royals: Summer Cup highlights, stats, quotes
- Seattle Reign sign two U-18 players to long-term contracts
Defiance
Next game: Defiance host LAFC2 at noon today. This match is closed to the public, but available on YouTube.
Velocity
Next game: July 27 hosting Charlotte Independence.
With their Friday night home loss to Central Valley Fuego FC, Spokane is eliminated from advancing out of the group stage of the USL Jägermeister Cup.
Spokane Zephyr, the Super League team, owned by the same group, starts play in a month. Zephyr play Ft. Lauderdale on August 17.
USL2 Teams
The season is now over for the local amateur teams. Ballard FC lost on Friday night, though they do host the conference semis on Sunday.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Former Sounder Henry Wingo returns from Europe to play for TFC.
Trolls came after Jess Fishlock because trolls live in darkness.
Paramount+ will have the English Football League (Championship, League One, League Two) and Italy's Serie A this coming season.
The USL Super League starts in a month. They insist they aren't competing with the NWSL.
Lawsuit season started after the security and ticketing failures of CONMEBOL's Copa America Final.
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.
