Ship’s Log, Oct. 26: Memories are made in the dark
In a couple decades you won’t remember the home draw to Portland, the dominance of Vancouver, the struggles with LAFC.
If those are the key moments of Seattle Sounders 2024 season, you won’t remember the season at all. It’ll be just another year.
Our memories of other Sounders seasons (excepting 2022) are made in the dark of fall, near winter. Because that is when crowns are won, when banners are earned. The dark with the chill of rain and wind off the Sound sears moments into our minds and our fellowship.
Beating Houston won’t be enough. Advancing in the playoffs is expected here in Seattle.
For memories to be built the Seattle Sounders will need to do more.
If 2024 matters in 2044 at least two of these Sounders will be legends in the dark
Jordan Morris
Sitting just shy of the all-time, all-comps goal record Jordan Morris is already one of the greatest HGP signings in MLS history. The totality of his play in MLS is exceptional. He regularly beats out DPs for playing time and in several season he’s been short-listed for awards.
Only one Sounder has more playoff goals than Jordan. The same one he’s chasing for the all-time record.
If the tarot cards are drawn in Morris favor, a favor he fully determines, this postseason of madness can be the one where he takes over the playoff scoring lead, the all comps lead and the single season all comps lead.
He’s collected trophies as a supplementary player. Morris should now collect trophies as The Player, one who can be known as defining a decade of success by scoring more goals than anyone else in Sounders history (he needs four). There’s no doubt that if Morris scores four or more playoff goals in these dark, magical days the Sounders will go far.
In 2023 two attackers scored four or more goals. They met in the final. In 2020 there was one, his team fell to Seattle in the conference final. In 2019 there was one, it was Raul. In 2018 the two with four goals met in the final. In 2016 there were five players with four or more goals. Three of them met in the final. The other two lost in the East final.
That’s Jordan’s mark. Hit for four.
Albert Rusnák
There’s no longer a doubt if Albert can be a DP. His free agent signing, and upcoming free agency, is a sign of a changing MLS. This season has been incredible, but even Rusnák himself has said that he’s not on par with the legends yet.
He says he doesn’t care about the regular season stats. He wants to be remembered for trophies, like Nico, the best 10 Seattle’s had.
When the second season grinds slowly, a 10 who can slice multiple lines with one pass is vital. When play stops a 10 that can manage a restart that immediately shifts the game state is one who gets a statue built.
Albert’s recognition in MLS history as the biggest free agent signing in history can be made a footnote if his ball-striking goes well this dark October and November.
Paul Rothrock
Seattle’s had several past players with massive breakouts in the past, but now they’re people who might raise a Legends flag or shout “Scarves Up” and we all get a moment of “Oh, yeah, that guy.”
If Rothrock continues his breakout into the playoffs he won’t be “that guy.” Instead Paulie will be “That GUY.” He has the personality and a single strong season. But everything slows down in the playoffs.
Is Paulie going to go down in history as a Will Bruin, smoking Minnesota United, or as Seb Le Toux, who had a strong history but featured during a playoffs without success period? Let’s find out.
Don’t worry about the defense
They’ll be fine.
No team has done better defending in the playoffs than the Sounders under Brian Schmetzer. Frei and Yeimar and Nouhou have all had their stellar moments in the past.
But Seattle's fortunes will not be told be defense. This season they need to score to earn silverware.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Monday night the Sounders host the Houston Dynamo at 6 pm PT on MLS Season Pass and FS1. This is a best-of-three series with a shootout to determine an extra point if any match is tied at the end of regulation.
- Albert Rusnák has delivered on expectations, and then some
- Sounders playoff schedule released
- Latest salary data illustrates how Sounders are falling behind
- This is how the MLS award voting is probably going to go
- Jackson Ragen named Defender of the Year finalist
- Brian Schmetzer signs multi-year extension
- Nos Audietis: We have to stop doing this
- After watching film, Sounders still frustrated with ref’s calls
- Lobbing Scorchers: Could Podcasters Referee an MLS Match? (Feat. Max Bretos)
- Postgame Pontifications: Another agonizing finish
- Raining on their own parade: Sounders drop points to Timbers
Reign
Next match: November 2 the Reign season ends with a trip to Orlando Pride at 2 p PT on ION. There is nothing on the line.
Defiance
Next match: Tonight Defiance are in North Texas for the Western Conference semifinal at 5:30 pm PT on MLS Season Pass.
- As Tacoma Defiance got younger, they got better
- Defiance will face North Texas in MLS Next Pro playoffs
- Defiance advance in MLS Next Pro playoffs
Spokane
Zephyr host Tampa Bay Sun Sunday at 2pm PT on Peacock+. Spokane only have 1 win in 7 played.
Velocity host One Knoxville at 6pm PT on ESPN+. Spokane already qualified for the playoffs, but haven't won in seven matches.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Welcome Salmon Bay and the Rhodies to the USL W, as the amateur league expands its presence in the state.
Luton Town player Elijah Adebayo faced racist abuse this week, in what seems to be an acceleration of abuse in Europe.
The Athletic created a word for chance creation and the winner is Paul Rothrock.
Don’t buy World Cup 2026 tickets from scalpers when there aren’t tickets available.
MLS is considering using the very long pause required for World Cup 2026 to switch calendars.
Evander had one of the best seasons in Timbers history. He and the club aren't getting along.
No one wants the Wooden Spoon, MLS’s other fan created award.
Invincible and second? It happened in a very low Swedish league.
If you can find a league and a national team that both think players are overworked you'll find a unicorn. The latest dispute is between the USWNT and NWSL.
Women’s players around the world are pushing for FIFA to cancel plans to have Saudi Arabia host World Cups.
If you are betting on children’s soccer, bench soccer, short sided games and more you are almost certainly getting taken by an illegal content farm.
Memorial Stadium is now expected to open in 2027.
The Loons added this amazing statue to their stadium property.
"All great cities have great art."
— x - Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) October 23, 2024
Comprising thousands of hand-cut steel plates, this colossal loon has a wingspan of nearly 90 feet and stands three stories tall; a feat not just of art, but engineering.
This is The Calling.
Go inside the monumental piece's journey to Saint… pic.twitter.com/Ohei4clJ7x
Paramount is adding BeIn so you can get even more soccer by giving even more money.