Realio’s Ratings: Maybe, quite possibly, the best team ever
You were probably nervous about the match on Monday night, as Seattle has been inconsistent, having great games followed by lousy ones over the past handful of matches. Matched up against a strong Pumas team that had handily beaten Monterrey and Vancouver, the Sounders started out with what looked like a reversion to struggles; the away team dominated and pressured Seattle into some nervy moments. But, unlike parts of this season, the Sounders showed a resolute determination to keep the game close, and then pounced on their opportunity to score midway through the first half. Keeping their foot on the gas from there, they outworked, out-executed, and outplayed a quality Mexican team to the tune of a 4-0 final score. Seattle displayed a beautiful combination of workmanlike precision, exciting bursts of quality, and a level of play that was one of the best performances of the season. For at least one evening, this Sounders team realized all the potential expected of them.
Best Team Ever? In the last four matches Seattle has scored 10 goals via seven different players: Morris (3), Rothrock (2), Rusnák, Yeimar, Roldan, Ragen, Vargas. How can you defend them all?
Nah: See recent performances versus LAFC and Necaxa.
For these ratings, I’ll focus on a rating for each player, brief comments, and why they are the best players ever (or not).
Goalkeeper
Andrew Thomas – 7
This was a good Pumas team who barely sniffed Thomas’ goal. The dominating defense paired well with Andrew making the saves he needed to, ensuring the shutout held up. It wasn’t a perfect performance, with a risky clear right through the defense in the 40th and an awkward punch out in the 66th. There were other risky bobbles, but he was always quick enough to recover before Pumas pounced on these small mistakes. And when he sprinted the full length of the field to back his boys at the end, he was the only big cat in the building.
Best Player Ever? Shut out one of the the top teams in Liga MX, did so with a bitchin’ mustache.
Nah: Defense did all the work.
Defense
Nouhou – 6 (off 83’ for Bell)
A composed (!!) complete defensive match from Nouhou saw him turn his stellar defense into offense when necessary, but most importantly make the right decisions in the defensive third to deny Pumas many chances. Outside of a nervy 52nd moment when his communication with JP was poor, leaving neither marking a runner, Nouhou was the lord of a desolate wasteland for the Mexican squad, who tried and failed to gain any purchase down their attacking right.
Best Player Ever? Dude locks down the wing better than Deion Sanders, and now you expect Seattle to score off every single corner he creates.
Nah: It’s still Nouhou. He may randomly bicycle kick an own goal at any time.
Jackson Ragen – 6
Pumas had a game plan that forced possession to Jackson, which was just fine. The Sounders happily let the clean-passing Ragen push the ball forward through their press. That same opponent press was somewhat effective early, but largely mitigated by Jackson finding clean paths to teammates and going long when warranted. His presence and composure through a physical match was paired well with leadership and strong control of a cohesive back line.
Best Player Ever? At only 25, Ragen is controlled, composed, and passes better than most midfielders, wins every defensive header, and had a great set piece delivery that created a goal.
Nah: Dude can’t score with his head.
Yeimar – 7
Yeimar had another excellent outing, again showing defensive abilities as good as anyone in the hemisphere. He’s consistently dominating the physical battles, seamlessly combining and releasing Alex Roldan up the wing, and covering a massive swath from wide across the field behind other teammates. His 1-v-1 defense in the 47th minute was beautiful, shutting down a strong Pumas attempt. In the 85th he again stood out defensively, inserting himself in between the opponent and the ball and casually borrowing possession. Yeimar is also increasingly dangerous on set pieces, nearly scoring in extra time of the first half. As the defense adds effectiveness on both ends of the field, it’s Yeimar who is leading the way.
Best Player Ever? You can’t beat him for speed, or size, or power, or leaping, or haircut. He plays defense, he stops fights, he does it all.
Nah: He didn’t even score.
Alex Roldan – 7
As Alex has improved his play over the past month, so has Seattle come into its own, and that’s likely not a coincidence. His exceptional combination with his brother is back, the defense is good enough and the offensive contributions are igniting a team that struggled to create quality opportunities prior. Okay, so he was badly beaten on a cutback in the first 25 minutes that could have changed the game, but the Pumas dude kicked his open shot into the stands, and Alex and the defense shut it down after that one opportunity.
Best Player Ever? Two-way combination that brings Rusnák to the right and sees Cristian run around like an offensive sweeper creating assists and igniting some sort of Broldan phoenix from the ashes of their previous combinations is on the menu! And it’s SERVING GOALS.
Nah: It’s still Alex Roldan. He’s had a tough year and until he’s consistent, don’t bank on him.
Defensive Midfield
João Paulo – 7
From JP we didn’t see any big tackles, any brilliant long through balls, or any thunderous finishes from outside the box. It didn’t matter, because what we saw was a clean (93 percent passing) controlled match from the fulcrum and the guy who was on the ball the most. Perhaps most responsible for Sounders’ ability to navigate the strong Pumas press, JP was quietly brilliant in facilitating the most important part of the field. This understated effort was effective and simple: control the flow of the ball, offer a safety outlet to everyone, release attackers to go forward. JP did exactly that, including a crucial header to Rusnák who found Morris for goal #2.
Best Player Ever? When JP is on, he doesn’t need to be spectacular, he needs to be a consistent game manager like this and facilitate others to be effective. What’s exciting is he CAN be spectacular. MOARR.
Nah: Old, washed up player didn’t even have a key pass, is slowing down, and is too expensive to just pass sideways all match.
Obed Vargas – 7 (off 82’ for Leyva)
The biggest beneficiary of JP being so consistent across the middle is Obed Vargas (and likely Obed Vargas’ bank account, soon). Released into a roving support player, Vargas again found his positioning to defend across the middle and connect, but also received the green light to push forward and support the attack, where he dazzled. In the 62nd minute he helped Nouhou and dribbled past multiple opponents, culminating in a shot. More impressive was his now-familiar direct vertical dive in the 70th minute, finding a slick touch in the box before being bowled over to earn Seattle a penalty.
Best Player Ever? I like to imagine Obed whispering “I’m gonna be on the Mexican National Team and you aren’t” to dudes twice his age as he dribbles past them in games like this.
Nah: Still wearing that JP-sized seatbelt, can he be effective without the safety net?
Attacking Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 7
For 31 minutes, Paul Rothrock wasn’t having a particularly great match, and Seattle struggled with Pumas’ press and skill. Paul Rothrock lives in the present, and when offered a present from Rusnák in the 32nd minute, he presented a perfect header into the goal that not only gave Seattle the lead, it demoralized Pumas, flipped the game momentum on its head, and Sounders ran downhill for the rest of the match. Sure, Paul had a few mistakes and unclean play, and some nice crosses and interplay as well. Nothing mattered as much as his ability to just Rothrock a goal from nearly nothing, and fundamentally tilt the match firmly in your team’s favor. Don’t try to explain it.
Best Player Ever? Goals change games. Paul scores goals. Paul changes games. Get on the bandwagon, there’s room for all.
Nah: He makes some poor decisions, he isn’t clean with a lot of touches, he … oh who am I kidding he IS the best player ever, discussion over.
Albert Rusnák – 9 (MOTM) (off 83’ for RBW)
Albert Rusnák has taken a lot of criticism because often his play doesn’t match up with the fancy dribbling or scoring from higher profile DPs. Instead, Rusnák plays a game without ever turning the ball over, bashes the opponent in the head with consistent high level play and eventually breaks through with the brilliant 32nd minute ball that bounces off a teammate’s head into the goal. Or the 50th minute free kick that Yeimar forced a big save from. Or smartly heading the ball to THAT MAN MORRIS in the 58th minute for another assist. Or casually scoring a 71st minute penalty kick under massive pressure and with the match still in question. Or doing all this while remaining remarkably healthy, resilient, effective, and consistent game in and game out. That’s a goal and two assists. Against a high level opponent. I’d ask how Portland’s DPs compared this round BUT OH WAIT. (Yeah, I went there. Sue me.)
Best Player Ever? He’s on pace to smash the season assist record for the Sounders, adds scoring touch in a pinch, and combines well with everyone on the team. He makes everyone better while being pretty damn good himself.
Nah: He’s not (insert Messi/Chicho/Bouanga/Acosta).
Cristian Roldan – 8
Combining well with his brother’s resurgence has been the quiet uptick not only in Cristian’s connection with Alex, but his own performance. This was a brilliant match from Roldan who always seems to bring his best against Mexican teams. Against Pumas, he continually broke out into space to victimize pockets of attacking real estate, and continued to press all match. After an excellent run and shot in the 60th, Roldan’s relentlessness eventually paid off as he outlasted the defense and took over the last half hour of the game. Expertly winning the ball in some holdup play off a free kick in the 70th saw Roldan pick up the vertical dive of Obed to create a PK. In the 92nd minute, he was still pushing, and knew immediately upon receiving a turnover from Leyva where THAT MAN MORRIS was. From there, his beautiful through ball was perfectly in stride for Jordan to do the rest, and by “rest” I mean get viciously cleated in the achilles.
Best Player Ever? You cannot defend a guy who’s the best on the team at four positions, often in the same match, who will outwork you, out-skill you, take your best (35) fouls, and then casually put multiple assists in your face. You can try to contain him, but that’ll probably fail too.
Nah: Didn’t score, got an early yellow card, had to go central to get much done.
Forward
Jordan Morris – 9
Jordan Morris haters, have a seat. Dude stretched the field, won aerials, and held the ball up expertly for 60 minutes, and on at least one occasion from a brilliant Nouhou pass, actually got into the box alone having outraced the defense and his own team, left forlornly to try to find a cross from a tough angle. Throughout this, the opponent double- and triple-teamed him, hacked and pushed and climbed on him, offering physicality in droves. Jordan shrugged this off, first latching on to a ball in the 58th and controlling before finishing brilliantly with his “preferred” left foot. In the 89th minute, he nearly ran through the entire defense, weaving but unable to find a finish after clowning on at least five defenders. Not done, he relentlessly posted high, and when his buddy Cristian found the ball, THAT MAN MORRIS found the space, driving into the box and receiving a dangerous foul for his efforts. After a scuffle, it was surprisingly Jordan himself who took the penalty and finished cleanly into the side net, to end the scoring at four. Classy Morris barely celebrated, letting his dominating performance do all the talking.
Best Player Ever? He’s going to be faster than you, so step back. He’s going to out jump you, so get tight. He’s going to out muscle you, so make space. At this point, you are just dancing and Jordan is going the other way with the ball to score. And then he’ll do it again.
Nah: He doesn’t use his left foo … err,he can’t head the ba … umm his holdup is … wait … uh he can’t finish breakawa … dang. OH I KNOW, he doesn’t even take penalty kic … oh, dammit!
Substitutes
Danny Leyva – 5 (on 82’ for Vargas)
Leyva came in and looked excellent. Understanding the physicality of the game, he may have over-zealously matched it, earning a yellow card, but he was a strong connector in the middle and made his defensive presence known. His four defensive actions were great, but it was the interception at the start of extra time that created the turnover for Cristian to find … THAT MAN MORRIS.
Best Player Ever? Laying the lumber physically, dropping dimes with precision service, mixing it up and creating goals? Don’t sleep on Leyva.
Nah: Clumsy yellow card because he can’t defend. You need to defend to play defensive mid.
Jon Bell – 5 (on 83’ for Nouhou)
Jon Bell came in late as Seattle went to a five back in order to give Morris more space to dominate Pumas. Bell did well enough, although he didn’t need to do much. He had a few defensive plays, including winning a header, although he didn’t complete his only pass attempt.
Best Player Ever? Extrapolating his eight minutes on the field, Seattle is approximately +12 goal differential per match while he plays.
Nah: He can’t even earn a starting spot.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 (on 83’ for Rusnák)
Reed Baker-Whiting played, and did some soccer stuff. Most of that meant running on the left wing and playing solid defense, which was nice to see. He didn’t do much, touching the ball a few times, having a successful dribble, but also creating little.
Best Player Ever? Pumas were so scared of RBW that they forgot about THAT MAN MORRIS, and that’s how Reed lulls you to sleep. When you get caught thinking about him on the left, Cristian is passing through your defense.
Nah: This match won’t go on Reed’s highlight reel.
Referee
Joseph Dickerson – 4
Usually a solid referee for Seattle, Dickerson struggled to handle the increased intensity and physicality of the match. Plenty of fouls were played on, resulting in even more dangerous play as Pumas grew frustrated with the game state. This culminated in a horrible foul on Morris with the game no longer in doubt, an incredibly dangerous and simply lunatic foul that could have done permanent damage to his career. Somehow this was only a yellow card, and little was done to clean up the resulting fracas that saw Rothrock get the brunt of a cheap shot. VAR referee Daniel Radford was no doubt gleeful in his booth, appreciating the mess he’d helped create by not having Dickerson look at this overly physical match. Somewhere, Clint Dempsey heard his voice whisper in the wind.
Best Ref Ever? Quickly and assertively pointing to the spot when he should have, while also ignoring blatant dives.
Nah: Dickerson was okay in MLS, but once a Mexican team arrived, he allowed a wrestling match to occur.
Upcoming: LAFC.
Best Result Ever? Not only beating these bums, but doing it triumphantly, at Lumen Field. Then doing it again in the Open Cup at Starfire.
Nah: They have our number; remember a few weeks ago? They also signed talent at the trading deadline. Sounders? CRICKETS.