Realio’s Ratings: Picking up the pieces

Handling Colorado on the road is no small feat, as they had only lost three times all season in Commerce City, but handle them is exactly what Seattle did last weekend. Although it took a while to get adapted to the field and atmosphere, the visiting Sounders adjusted, exerted control on the match, and took advantage of the opportunities the Rapids offered. A single fortuitous goal forced by Seattle’s pressure was combined with resolute defense and team cohesion to end this match 1-0 for the visitors. This was Seattle’s third shutout in a row, and they earned all nine possible points in eight days against playoff teams. The Sounders dictated the match throughout due to their midfield control, dynamic wide play, and forward pressure. Not getting out of line defensively meant another shutout due to compact, cohesive team defense and an in-form goalie. Offensively, Seattle created the best, most consistent chances and converted when the opportunity presented itself. This was an impressive display from a Seattle team executing over and over until they earned their desired result. 

Looking forward: Peaking at the right time.

Goalkeeper

Stefan Frei – 7 | Community – 6.9

Another match, another shutout from this defense and Stefan Frei, who again was supported by a strong formation in front of him. This meant that while Colorado had some opportunities, they were mostly funneled into predictable moments, and Frei did the rest when required to make three saves. The best came in the 46th minute, as a shot came through traffic and was a tricky moment that Frei handled like a veteran, making it look easy. A 54th minute kick out of bounds was one example of when the pressure from Colorado meant that Frei didn’t have a lot of options and punted possession over, but the new formation has improved Stef’s distribution, allowing him to show off an excellent curling pass to either wing. These shutouts aren’t by chance — they are the combination of a very disciplined defense and a goalkeeper who has been almost perfect recently. 

Looking forward: Another shutout against a rival playoff team has to bring him into the national spotlight even a little, doesn’t it?

Defense

Nouhou – 6 | Community – 7.2

Nouhou had a quieter match than the prior one, but was a quality player who brought the defense and ball control Seattle needed from the left side. Again, it was near-perfect decision making that defined this match for Nouhou. In the 19th minute, he tried an over-the-top ball, freeing up Paul Rothrock into space, then mixed it up 20 minutes later with a great move and dribble to bring the ball forward into Seattle’s attack. His decision making on defense, outside of a not-wide-enough header in the 22nd minute, was excellent. Nouhou is making a collaborative partnership on the left, understanding when to support Paul and when to put it over the top to him, and both are excelling.

Looking forward: The tactical change to let Nouhou be more Nouhou on the defensive end and less Nouhou going forward has worked well, and Seattle is thriving. 

Jackson Ragen – 7 | Community – 7.1

Ragen had a quiet match, which is what you want from a centerback who is playing as a nominal sweeper at times. His positioning was flawless, and when asked to be a distributor from the middle, he made great decisions. He led the team with 66 passes and completed 91 percent of them including a key pass. This distribution to all areas from a centralized position paired beautifully with five clearances in a shutout-defense performance. The athleticism of the wide defense and the inclusion of extra central midfielders has limited counter opportunities. It enabled Ragen to be a pure creative passing force who played well against Colorado. 

Looking forward: Ragen has historically struggled against Portland and needs to come out much stronger when faced with a dynamic attack at home. 

Yeimar – 6 | Community – 7.0

Yeimar has been awesome lately, but this was his worst match in the team’s fantastic week. He struggled quite a bit with Colorado’s pressure and it all started with a high arm that earned him a yellow card in the 27th minute. Playing on a card for the rest of the match, he did well to avoid further discipline, but the pressure of releasing the ball quickly impacted his passing and distribution. This translated to an 83 percent completion rate, less aggressive defense, and a terrible 41st minute ball that nearly cost Seattle. He also missed Pedro de la Vega on a great run in the 61st, but redeemed himself with a tremendous ball to an unfortunately offside Rothrock seven minutes later. Even a down game from Yeimar was still great defensively, as he racked up seven defensive actions, including three interceptions. 

Looking forward: Yeimar is the best defender on the team and has been excellent against Portland. 

Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.4

Alex Roldan again frequently tucked inside and helped overload the defensive center, having a possession impact but not a ton of notable moments. He had 71 touches, most of them in a deeper area, and he was good at supporting the defense and linking forward. Much of what he’s asked to do is help Yeimar in possession and then funnel the ball forward to Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris, which he is doing well. He doesn’t get forward as much himself, but Alex did have a big chance in the 16th minute and failed to pull the trigger on goal. He needs to better maximize the opportunities he gets in the new tactical system. 

Looking forward: Using Alex as an extra midfielder instead of pulling an attacker back is an improvement to Seattle’s offensive and defensive structure. 

Defensive Midfield

Obed Vargas – 7 | Community – 6.8

Obed did many good things in this match, providing a ton of control, which was essential at elevation and playing the third game in a week. He filled the statsheet with a team-high 77 touches and added five interceptions, three tackles, and two key passes. This was a good performance that saw Obed drift around the field to make an impact, supporting centrally and attacking wide areas with diagonal inside-out runs. Two outstanding plays came as others around him faded in the second half: first, a beautiful step forward to intercept the ball in the 53rd minute nearly saw him thread a ball through to a streaking Morris for a massive chance. The second came in the 80th minute as Obed popped up on the right to defend, showing a physical presence to win the ball. These plays more than overshadowed a quiet first half, where he was often watching or diving in defensively and missing. 

Looking forward: Quietly effective? We’ll take it. 

Cristian Roldan – 7 | Community – 6.9

Cristian also started his third match in a week and brought a workrate that was consistent but less energetic than in previous matches. Understanding the personnel around him meant a 2nd minute over-the-top ball to Rothrock, and a 9th minute vertical pass put Colorado on their heels for the rest of the match. Roldan’s 92 percent passing was clean and efficient, but less aggressive than in the previous games of the week. Perhaps fatigue caught up to him in the 44th minute, as he found a wide open header on a corner delivery from Rusnák and was unable to put it in the net. Cristian remains a massive distribution force, with 15 passes into the final third to continually push the attack into advanced positions. 

Looking forward: Cristian does so many little things that are hugely impactful for the Sounders, and getting him central amplifies his impact. 

Attacking Midfield 

Paul Rothrock – 7 | Community – 7.5 (off 89’ for Baker-Whiting)

Paul on the left was a consistent release point for the defense to find in space, who then translated this forward momentum directly on goal via creative dribbling and crosses. He immediately announced himself in the 2nd minute, finding Rusnák, and added a good attempt at a curling shot in the 30th minute. In the 76th minute, he found a great pass on a breakaway, racing away from the defense before linking with Morris who was unable to extend the lead with the goal gaping. Most surprising on this play was the separation speed Rothrock showed to release himself into space. He did miss Morris on a big chance in the 14th minute and had an unfortunate offsides call in the 68th that killed an opportunity, but he continues to do his job well. 

Looking forward: Paul slams the door on any controversy on whether he’s a starter by relentlessly making stuff happen. 

Albert Rusnák – 7 (MOTM) | Community – 8.0 (MOTM) (off 82’ for João Paulo)

All the little things that Rusnák has been doing all year happen because he reads the game well, works hard to get into fortuitous positions, and executes when given the opportunity. He did exactly this for the only goal in the match, following a Morris creation and first-timing a finish through the defense to give Seattle a 48th minute lead they wouldn’t relinquish. As usual, he created for the Sounders in different ways, ending with four key passes to lead the team in addition to his two shots, both on target. He continually puts in repeatable, dangerous crosses on set pieces and from the run of play, while also gobbling up chances from the top of the area. He had one 45th minute long dribble that thwarted a good opportunity to push into attack with numbers, but otherwise was his consistent self. 

Looking forward: Seattle can score in so many ways thanks to Rusnák delivering from all over the field. 

Pedro de la Vega – 6 | Community – 6.2 (off 64’ for Minoungou)

This was Pedro’s best outing as a Sounder, getting involved in almost all the good things that happened when he was on the field, but also importantly fitting that impact into the rest of the team’s tactical flow. After a great 11th minute cross, he showed off a fantastic dribble 10 minutes later, somehow turning the corner on the defense and charging into the box to create a chance. A 43rd minute hard, low cross was excellent and is the kind of dangerous ball that creates havoc on defenses that aren’t set. The communication between Pedro and teammates was improved in this match, but it still hasn’t quite gelled into the final product. 

Looking forward: PDLV does stuff no one else on the roster can do, and he’s starting to show this more consistently. If he can keep this trajectory of improvement within the team structure, watch out. 

Forward

Jordan Morris – 7 | Community – 6.9 (off 89’ for Musovski)

Like earlier in the week, most of the offense was due to the hard work and creation of Morris, but he failed to score himself. He started with a brilliant first-time attempt in the 12th minute, another “striker’s touch” that nearly scored. Jordan added an excellent 14th minute holdup, got in behind the defense in the 34th, and earned a crucial set piece in the 46th via direct dribble. Not done, it was Morris who pressed a long touch, converting the won possession into a dash to the goal, forcing a save, which was mopped up by a trailing Rusnák. Jordan relentlessly pressed, probed, and created half chances until they were realized. He flubbed a golden opportunity from Rothrock, this time missing a breakaway in the 76th on a tough, yet makeable finish as the two continued to combine on chance creation. 

Looking forward: Morris is the key to the offense with his ability, like in this match, to create something from nothing. He also adds all the little holdup, control and opportunistic things you want from a forward. He is due to get back on the scoresheet. 

Substitutes

Georgi Minoungou – 5 | Community – 6.0 (on 64’ for PDLV)

Georgi arrived early in the second half in a planned switch with Pedro and didn’t get a lot of opportunity to show off his skills, instead assimilating rather quietly into the match. Missing was the dynamic 1-v-1 dribbling on the width, and he had a number of turnovers when presented with opportunities to go forward. Georgi did have a nice 93rd minute attempt. It was great to see him get in three tackles, being willing and able to mix it up on the defensive end.

Looking forward: It’s hard to tell whether Georgi is playing better off the bench or starting; the biggest takeaway is that he’s been inconsistent. When he’s on, he absolutely torches opponents. 

João Paulo – 5 | Community – 5.7 (on 82’ for Rusnák)

JP came in late and brought his usual control to the match, which helped Seattle more effectively see out the game. His 11 touches were central, and he returned a beautiful 100 percent completion, exactly what was needed at the end of the match. He added two clearances. The game seemed settled and controlled with him on the field and a goal lead. 

Looking forward: It’s unlikely the staff breaks up what’s working, but are we sure that JP and Cristian shouldn’t start together?

Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 89’ for Rothrock)

Reed got a few late minutes and didn’t show much either way. An over-the-top ball from Nouhou in the 90th nearly got Reed sprung out on the wing, but he was unable to do much with it, and a 92nd attempt to win a corner was denied. He had perfect passing and a dribble. 

Looking forward: Not sure if it’s a lack of confidence or what, but Reed hasn’t impressed in the second half of the year, getting less and less time and not showing enough effectiveness. Last year he awoke at this stage; let’s hope he goes on a run of strong appearances. 

Danny Musovski – 5 | Community – 5.1 (on 89’ for Morris)

Even in limited time, Danny had an impressive outing, making noise in multiple late moments to help Seattle earn all three road points. His pressing and defense in the 92nd minute was great, and another hustle play two minutes later finished out the match. The energy and pressure that Musovski brings to the front supports the midfield well late in matches. 

Looking forward: Although Morris is playing well, Musovski has the pedigree to be a difference maker as Seattle surges into the playoffs. 

Referee

Timothy Ford – 5 | Community – 5.6

This was an unpredictable match from Ford, who made a lot of questionable decisions. Many of the issues revolved around a lack of calls, with only 14 total fouls called in the entire match. Seattle had six called fouls and two yellow cards, a strange ratio. One of those was a very soft card on Yeimar for a high arm in the 27th minute that was embellished; perhaps a discussion would have made more sense. This was in stark contrast to a 50th minute handball that stopped a counter attack and was whistled on Colorado, yet wasn’t accompanied by a card. Georgi Minoungou remains a victim of being a rookie, as he was fouled badly in the 81st minute without a call, and if you sent him to Wembley Soccer Shop with a hundred dollar bill, he still couldn’t buy a whistle. Ford did call a correct advantage in the 32nd minute, one of the times his liberal “play on” calls worked. 

Looking forward: Ford seemed to want these teams to fistfight, but luckily the teams were more interested in playing soccer. 

Colorado Rapids MOTM

Djordje Mihailovic did his best to spark his Rapids side in attack, but didn't finish with much to show for his efforts.He absolutely crushed a second-chance opportunity that the Sounders were lucky to block in the 21st minute. He then hit a tame effort to close out the match. Mihailovic completed 80 percent of his passes and was credited with four shot-creating actions.

Upcoming: Make a statement. Beat the Timbers at home and surge into the playoffs. 

Looking forward: There are decisions to be made in central midfield and on the wings. This deep team needs the high-end play and stout defense to keep winning.