Ship’s Log, July 22: At the break

Dave Clark -

Both MLS and NWSL are in a summer break. The two leagues are filling that break with different, similar tournaments for different reasons.

The top talents in the NWSL are in the Olympics. Starting Thursday, prior to the Opening Ceremony, you can watch Canada defend its gold. Quinn and Huitema are the Reign reps that get to enjoy the attention of the world while in France. The league created the Summer Cup because many top players would be off at what is the second most important competition in women's soccer.

MLS doesn’t have that problem. Most of their Olympians are not-quite stars. They’re important, for sure, but not vital to team success – for the most part. Atencio is an alternate. You can start watching the US U-23+3 on Wednesday, when they face France, the clear favorites.

This isn’t why MLS is pausing, though.

MLS is pausing for the Leagues Cup. That competition wasn’t created to fill a gap in talent, but to maximize the exchange of eyeballs between Concacaf’s top two leagues. For that purpose it has generally worked. Attendance is decent; the TV viewership numbers are good.

This year they’re getting the party started with the MLS All-Star Game and related festivities, which is great. All-Star Games are super friendlies, even less meaningful than normal friendlies, but more fun to watch. Seattle doesn’t have an All Star this year. That’s due to a combination of the most online Sounders fans not liking the competition and most of the Seattle Sounders team playing well below their own standards.

It’d be nice to have an All-Star.

Because that would probably mean the Sounders didn’t start the season with only one win in nine. The teams with multiple All-Stars are good to great. While the Sounders climbed out of that deficit to be respectable they aren’t a team with stars – instead they’re a team of former stars.

And so the Sounders enter this break with a significant loss to the only team in the West that can challenge their bona fides in the Brian Schmetzer era. In a season with up to six Shield contenders Seattle is staring up the ladder.

There are about ten matches left for everyone in the league. While the transfer window is open and the Leagues Cup is underway there will be weeks! when we will have no idea which teams are gaining or losing momentum heading to the run-in.

Performing well in the Leagues Cup is only relevant for the three teams that qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup and the one that wins a trophy. Performing well in the transfer window can be as much about motivating a fanbase as it is winning games.

What do we, the fans and commentariat, do during multiple weeks when there’s soccer that’s not part of a season ticket package going on? We wait.

And we enjoy – because Quinn is going for their third Olympic medal. Jordyn Huitema is going for her second medal. Josh Atencio is going for his first. All of those would be massive for the region and these players.

The teams are playing in things with less pressure. Seattle Reign are trying to win a Summer Cup. Seattle Sounders are aiming for a Leagues Cup. To be able to watch matches where the results are less vital can be fun and the Seattle soccer faithful needs that right now.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

What you need to get caught up on the weekend's action

Sounders

The good news is there's a US Open Cup and maybe even a Leagues Cup to win (last year's MLS semifinalists finished 4th, 7th and 14th in the East and all made the CCC). The Shield is absolutely out of contention. Having homefield in the playoffs is now doubtful. Last year's conference finalists finished 1, 3, 3, and 8. That was the first year of the current playoff format.

Reign

The good news is there's a Summer Cup to win. The bad news is the Shield is well out of hand and the playoffs seem unlikely.

Defiance

Once looking like a dominant Next Pro side, Defiance are a decent team that promises end-to-end action. They might make a playoff run in the fall.

Velocity

Spokane is out of the hunt for the USL Cup. Their quest is for the league shield or title now.

Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

Austin Anthem, one of the supporters groups for Austin FC, is refusing to support during the Leagues Cup. This is part of a general fan protest related to MLS trying to withdraw from the US Open Cup.

The USWNT only took bronze in Tokyo. They're at their lowest point since the 80s. Paris 2024 is a significant reset in talent and coaching. The Athletic looks at their chances of claiming gold again.

In a group with France, the USMNT is going to be challenged. They should take second, unless they don't. Stars and Stripes FC dives into what you should expect in Group A.

MLS various business metrics are way up. It's not all Messi.

The English Women's Super League and Championship will be on YouTube this year.

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