The biggest challenge facing Brian Schmetzer coming out of Leagues Cup was simply one of focus. The Seattle Sounders had just finished up a month’s worth of knockout games.
For the most part, I think we can say it was a positive performance. There were obviously some hiccups — including the 3-0 loss to LAFC that eliminated them — but they beat some good teams, seemed to settle on a lineup and and did it all without having to leave home once.
With a U.S. Open Cup semifinal looming at midweek, it was also fair to wonder if the return to league play might get somewhat overlooked.
Their 3-2 win over Minnesota United on Saturday suggests that concern may have been overstated.
“They passed the test,” Schmetzer said in the postgame press-conference. “They could have come in here and laid an egg. They didn’t.”
It was by no means a perfect performance. The Sounders only emerged with the three points after surrendering the lead twice. The first came on a wholly unnecessary penalty kick, where Yeimar Gomez Andrade went in for a challenge while the attacker had his back to goal near the edge of the penalty area. The second equalizer came when the Sounders had numbers back but somehow let Kelvin Yeboah get behind on a quick transition.
Those breakdowns aside — which accounted for about two-thirds of Minnesota’s expected goals — the Sounders played the kind of defense that has once again made them one of the stingiest groups in MLS. Unlike many previous road games, they also avoided simply conceding possession and dropping into a shell. The Sounders defense remained proactive throughout the match, with Schmetzer making sure to note that they never converted into a five-man backline the way they often do.
“We controlled the ball, we pressed higher up the field,” Schmetzer said. “They came through with a gutty performance.”
Even more encouraging was the play of the offense, which after a shockingly slow start has now scored multiple goals in 15 of 23 matches across all competitions. Over their last nine league games, the Sounders have averaged 1.89 goals per match.
The goals in this one came mostly from familiar sources. Jordan Morris tied his career high with his 14th goal across all competitions, finishing off a perfectly weighted through ball from Obed Vargas to take an early lead. Albert Rusnák then dialed up his 12th assist of the season when he found Jackson Ragen for a header. Rusnák capped off his performance with a game-winning goal off a laser shot from about 24 yards out that beat Dayne St. Clair to the near post.
“It’s never easy, especially on the road when you take the lead and they equalize,” Rusnák said. “The fans get into it and they get momentum on their side.
“If it’s not for a couple of games against LAFC, we’d be one of the hottest teams in the league. It’s not easy when you lose at home the way we did. To come back and play on the road in a tough place – they are fighting for playoffs like us. It does show the group is sticking together. We don’t put our heads down when we concede.”
The result was doubly important for how it sets up the next few league games. This was the first of three straight road games, with tough matches at the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew on the horizon. The Sounders can now safely turn all their focus to the Open Cup game on Wednesday, knowing that there’s room to drop points on the road as they’ll close out the regular season with 4 of 6 at home.
If the Sounders can just win their home games, a Top 4 finish is entirely possible.
“I could not be prouder of that group of guys,” Schmetzer said. “They wanted to make a statement. They’re feeling it.”
