Back in MLS play, Seattle went on the road against Minnesota United and as is customary, beat the Loons. The game wasn’t a clean one, with both sides trading goals and having good chances to win, and it took a quality goal by an in-form Albert Rusnák to push the Sounders into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The final was a hard-earned 3-2 win, all three points in the bag, and a return to the winning ways that Seattle has had in league play over the last few months. The Sounders are creating quality chances through transitions and counter-pressing, as well as finding some set piece success late in the season.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 6 | Community – 6.0
Frei had an okay match. He kept the defense organized, and outside of a few lapses, was able to limit Minnesota. He was credited with three saves, although this match didn’t involve Frei much outside of some flagrant time wasting throughout. Seattle didn’t play through Frei often, as they earned multiple leads that saw Stef prefer long clearances.
What I liked: Frei looked better defending crosses in this match, with a solid catch in traffic in the 45th minute and an exceptional 80th minute punch that went at least 35 yards and out of danger.
What I didn’t like: On Minnesota’s non-penalty goal, Frei came out tentatively, got chipped relatively easily, and looked unsure how to defend an obvious play developing in front of him. Seeing him struggle in transition goalkeeping is frustrating.
Outlook: Frei’s leadership and organization in the back has kept the team close in nearly every game he’s played this season, but the big game-changing plays are few and far between.
Defense
Nouhou – 6 | Community – 6.1
Nouhou is consistently a solid defender who makes good choices going forward and facilitates the success of whoever lines up on the left wing in front of him. He had three tackles and four clearances on 51 touches while keeping everything away from the Sounders’ defensive left.
What I liked: His 30th minute 1-v-1 defense was excellent, but what stood out even more were two 69th minute set piece denials that resulted in two blocked shots. His 11 defensive actions were part of a complete effort.
What I didn’t like: A hand ball after good defense early and being forced into a yellow due to a teammate’s poor touch were parts of an iffy first 10 minutes, with Seattle on the back foot and struggling with waves of Minnesota pressure.
Outlook: Calmer, gentler Nouhou seems to be able to combine well with the offense while staying locked down on his wing.
Jackson Ragen – 7 | Community – 7.1
Ragen looked good and had an impact on both ends of the field. With 10 defensive actions, he was part of a fluid backline that had to make big plays with a somewhat leaky middle in front of them. Offensively, he scored with his head for the first time this season. He added 81 percent passing in 51 touches.
What I liked: In the 28th minute, Ragen stayed up after a set piece went awry, and when Nouhou earned Seattle possession again to Rusnák, Albert dialed up a back post cross. Ragen rose high above a defender’s pitiful attempt, and powerfully headed home his third goal of the year. If he can be a consistent set piece target, Seattle will be much more dangerous this season.
What I didn’t like: Jackson sold out at midfield in the 65th minute and whiffed, once again allowing a team to counter into the immense space behind him. Without the recovery speed needed, this blunder was nearly costly.
Outlook: Ragen playing well on both sides of the field would go a long way to making Seattle a viable cup contender.
Yeimar – 5 | Community – 6.1
This was an inconsistent match for Yeimar, who struggled at times against Minnesota’s pressure and the vertical runs of Kelvin Yeboah. He also led the Sounders with five clearances and had a number of essential defensive actions, but was mediocre with his defensive assignments. Seattle struggled to play around his mistakes.
What I liked: For most of the match, Yeimar denied Yeboah access to the ball, continually shadowing the striker and using his combination of size and speed to neutralize the diagonal balls that Minnesota attempted.
What I didn’t like: Yeimar made poor choices against Minnesota, including a terrible 15th minute pass out of bounds, and a questionable defensive challenge in the box that was reviewed and cost a penalty kick. His 56th minute defense was another big miss; in this match the usually dependable Columbian was just a bit off.
Outlook: Seattle needs Yeimar to be excellent, and it's essential that he regains his form as the best defender on the team.
Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 5.8
Alex had by far the most touches for Seattle, with nearly thirty more than the next highest. These 86 touches didn’t amount to much, though, as he had only a single shot and 83 percent passing to show for it. Seattle ran a lot of the match through his right side, with varying success.
What I liked: Alex didn’t force the ball, and his control under pressure helped release Morris a number of times. With Seattle frustrated early to play through pressure, it was often Alex Roldan who found a controlled exit from their own defensive third.
What I didn’t like: Minnesota got a good chance in the 86th minute to rescue points when Alex went down expecting a call and needed his brother to defensively bail him out. This happened repeatedly in the match, as Roldan frustratingly didn’t play through to the whistle.
Outlook: Alex looks to have solidified his hold on the right back position after it was up in the air mid season. Seattle needs him to be an impactful two-way player for the remainder of the year.
Defensive Midfield
João Paulo – 5 | Community – 5.7 (off 57’ for Atencio)
João struggled immensely against Minnesota, getting exposed a number of times and failing to be the metronomic central controller that Seattle needed. Low 72 percent passing and four defensive actions were part of a match where JP was often exposed in the middle. His lack of speed and positioning issues meant that when Minnesota had success, it was often past him.
What I liked: A good 46th minute tackle paired nicely with a 52nd minute attempt over the top as JP was able to have some impact on both sides of the field in moments.
What I didn’t like: Starting with two turnovers in the first 10 minutes, JP struggled with the pressure from Minnesota. His lack of connection with Obed Vargas through the middle was readily apparent. A 34th minute back pass was awful, and after JP left in the 57th minute, it was an improvement.
Outlook: Seattle desperately needs a defensive presence in the midfield, and when he is “on,” that can be JP. Unfortunately, his impact is only intermittent these days.
Obed Vargas – 6 | Community – 6.4 (off 84’ for RBW)
Obed had a strong offensive night paired with struggles to defend and combine in the middle. He had the second most touches for Seattle and 87 percent passing, which included a beautiful assist. His positioning in the middle was more vertical and supported the offense at the expense of big gaps in the back.
What I liked: Retrieving a pass from Cristian in the 11th minute, Vargas took his first touch aggressively towards the offensive side of the field before punching a beautiful through ball to Morris for the opening goal. This understanding and execution to turn a counter press into a counter attack was beautiful, and it earned him an assist.
What I didn’t like: Obed lost three duels, was dribbled past at least once, and was not cohesive with JP. Many of Seattle’s defensive struggles revolved around JP getting beat, and Vargas wasn’t a supportive partner for many of the worst Seattle moments.
Outlook: Obed is racking up assists from a mid-lying playmaker role, but juggling the team’s defensive needs with his more obvious offensive skills will be integral to the team’s success.
Attacking Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 5 | Community – 5.7 (off 64’ for Pedro de la Vega )
Rothrock earned another start on the left but failed to have a similar impact as in some of his recent appearances. With only 16 total touches, Paul did not show up in this match; he was an observer of most of the best and worst moments for his team. He had an 88 percent completion rate without getting much forward momentum.
What I liked: Paul’s 53rd minute attempt got him a shot in the statsheet, a nice try as part of combining with Morris.
What I didn’t like: Rothrock faded from this match, barely showing any impact, including not supporting defensively as Minnesota equalized for the second time. He was a non-factor who needed to be more aggressive and active finding the ball and supporting a flagging center.
Outlook: Still a likely starter due to his smart movement and ability to help on both ends of the field, but the dynamic PDLV is waiting in the wings.
Albert Rusnák – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 7.9 (MOTM) (off 84’ for Ruidíaz)
Again, Rusnák was the on-field leader, creating, scoring and controlling the play from the central midfield. His stat line was pretty: two shots, a goal, two key passes including an assist, and 90 percent passing on only 29 efficient touches. Albert did some of everything, turbo-charging the Sounders attack.
What I liked: Finding the ball in a counter pressing moment, his looping cross to the back post found Ragen in the 28th for an assist. He added a game-winning goal in the 75th with a beautiful near-post shot that was inch-perfect past a sprawling goalkeeper.
What I didn’t like: So great lately on dead balls, Rusnák’s corner kicks were disappointing, continually short and not beating the first defender.
Outlook: Rusnák has produced the kind of stats that DPs should be expected to produce, and his recent creation numbers are part of the team’s resurgence.
Cristian Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.3
Roldan started on the right and played his wing at times very wide, but he also tucked in consistently to support a middle that needed the help. He only had one shot, but had 13 won duels, including an essential won ball on the counter press in the 11th minute to set the tone.
What I liked: The consistency in possession from Roldan was excellent, whether it was winning that aforementioned header in the 11th minute to start the scoring, or saving his brother defensively 75 minutes later. Cristian was active and impactful.
What I didn’t like: A 1-v-1 attempt on offense in the 65th minute was stuffed, indicative of an ineffective offensive game for Roldan. Seattle needed more from the wing.
Outlook: For now, a return to the right wing is where Cristian has settled. His ability to play across multiple positions and support tactical points of need has made him an essential field player.
Forward
Jordan Morris – 8 | Community – 7.6
Jordan has been on a tear lately and continued his excellent play, leading from the front with his back to goal and via smart, vertical runs. His all-important first shot also gave Seattle the lead early, and the constant threat of his pace created space for teammates to operate. Jordan nearly added another goal himself while setting up teammates on multiple occasions.
What I liked: Four shots and two key passes included a smooth vertical run and finish in the 11th minute to give Seattle an early lead. His pace created multiple big chances either directly on goal for himself or for others. Morris is direct and dangerous.
What I didn’t like: PDLV got out in transition and found Morris’ laser beam run directly up the middle in the 79th with a chance to put the match away. Unfortunately, Jordan let the ball get caught up, and his decent shot was well saved by the opponent.
Outlook: Jordan has finally gotten a chance to consistently play up front, and he’s rewarding the team with big plays every match. He is a dominant central attacker with double digit goals this season.
Substitutes
Joshua Atencio – 5 | Community – 6.1 (on 57’ for JP)
Josh entered and immediately improved a flagging center of the pitch for Seattle. In 33 minutes, he had a shot and six defensive actions, including three important clearances.
What I liked: A 62nd minute clear was essential. A 79th minute dribble was gorgeous.
What I didn’t like: After that 79th minute dribble, he shot into orbit. His 69 percent passing was not great.
Outlook: Atencio is more of a true two-way player in the middle, and while not purely defensive, he can use his length and defensive ability to help when added to the pitch.
Pedro de la Vega – 6 | Community – 6.3 (on 64’ for Rothrock)
Pedro returned (again) from injury and looked excellent. His ability to combine with teammates was strong, and Seattle seemed both prepared for and able to support his roaming style. He had more touches in half the time than the man he replaced, and turned those 17 into a shot on goal and two key passes.
What I liked: A perfect break in the 79th minute was born from the genius of PDLV, who got an innocuous clearance on the width, took a vertical touch and then found a beautiful through ball to pick out the surging run of Morris by multiple defenders. This was a bit of magic creating a massive chance.
What I didn’t like: A 68th minute foul showed an uncultured defensive effort.
Outlook: Any 2024 outlook that includes PDLV playing consistently is a positive one as he does great things in limited time.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 | Community – 5.3 (on 84’ Vargas)
Reed came into the midfield somewhere. He had six touches.
What I liked: A perfect 4/4 passing showcased his offensive ability.
What I didn’t like: Losing both his duel attempts, committing a foul, and having a 91st minute turnover highlighted his defensive shortcomings.
Outlook: Still an immensely talented player, it's hard to discern where he fits; the team doesn’t seem to play better when he’s on the field.
Raúl Ruidíaz – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 84’ for Rusnák)
Raúl came in and pushed Morris wide, earning time at center forward. He had two touches for Seattle.
What I liked: A pretty little first touch as part of a holdup moment in the 94th created space for Ruidíaz to turn into the offense and keep possession.
What I didn’t like: Only getting a few minutes late, Seattle had no real plan to get Raúl the ball among the big defenders.
Outlook: Ruidíaz as a super sub has potential, especially as Seattle pushes numbers forward in second halves.
Referee
Guido Gonzales Jr – 7 | Community – 5.7
Gonzales did a strong job of keeping a mellow match mellow, making smart choices about when to use the whistle and cards, and keeping everything under control. With 14 fouls against Minnesota and 11 against Seattle, the whistle was used sparingly, and only a single yellow card was given to each team.
What I liked: Unfortunately for Sounders fans, the 23rd minute penalty was correctly flagged by VAR and called. The 72nd minute yellow on Miguel Tapias for fouling Cristian Roldan behind the play was a tidy bit of refereeing.
What I didn’t like: Advantage, while called, was often very slow, at times multiple passes after any advantage was conceded. JP got away with a pretty blatant 41st minute foul, and Minnesota was lucky that a 93rd minute foul didn’t come with a yellow card.
Outlook: This was a strong refereeing job that was excellent in that the story wasn’t the ref, the calls, or the impact of either.
Minnesota United MOTM
New Loon Kelvin Yeboah was a freaking handful. He started his afternoon by drawing a penalty on Yeimar, and then converting it to bring his side back level in the 24th. Then, in the 56th minute, he again got the better of Yeimar, bodying the Colombian before clipping a ball over Frei to bring his side level yet again.
Upcoming: Sounders Open Cup domination at Starfire.
