RENTON — It hasn’t taken long for the Seattle Sounders coaches to recognize what Georgi Minoungou can offer. Since signing a first-team contract on Aug. 28, Minoungou has established himself as the top offensive option off the bench.
Although he has just two starts, he’s appeared in all eight matches since signing. In virtually all of them, he’s provided at least a glimpse of what feels like almost limitless potential. The 22-year-old native of Ivory Coast is averaging nearly 4.5 successful dribbles per game, already logging 18 for the season in just about 350 minutes. He also got his first MLS goal, scoring what proved to be the game winner against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
There’s a joy that comes from watching him relentlessly attack defenders, constantly asking questions that few seem to be entirely ready to answer.
If Minoungou seems to play with a rare freedom, it’s due at least in part to the level of support he’s been given.
“It’s more about the way they talk to me, the way they approach me,” Minoungou told reporters following Thursday’s training session. “You can only see this when people are passing through bad stuff. When everything is good, you can’t say. But when you’re passing through some bad stuff, they surround you with love, try to give you that happiness.
“The Sounders were there for me in the bad moments. When I lost my eye, when my dad passed away, they were there for me, they showed me love – even outside people like the fans. Here I feel like I’m home. I feel myself here. I love this city, I love this area.”
When the Sounders face the Portland Timbers in the regular-season finale on Saturday, there’s reason to believe Minoungou can be the variable that will change this rivalry’s dynamic.
In his first appearance against the Timbers earlier this year, Minoungou caused all kinds of problems and came close to setting up a couple of goals.
After spending the two previous seasons in the Sounders organization as a member of the Tacoma Defiance, he already understands the rivalry with the Timbers. But this will be the first time he’s experienced it at Lumen Field.
“Since I was with Tacoma, I learned this is not only a game,” he said. “It’s city vs. city, club vs. club. I’m learning every time we play the Timbers we want to win. It doesn’t matter how we do it, but we have to do it.
“It’s this feeling that it’s the game we have to win. I’m definitely part of this and I’m happy to be on the side of the Sounders.”
