Ship's Log, Feb. 21: Beginning with Power
The Sounder at Heart family is releasing a beer tonight (Friday) – if you're in the Seattle area head down to Fast Fashion SoDo for the second edition of Craft Casual.
As readers and writers are hanging out we'll definitely be talking about how the Seattle Sounders are getting as much respect from league writers as they were in the 2016-2020 era, when they were regularly picked to challenge for the Shield (instead merely finishing second in the West while winning two MLS Cups and going to two more).
Seriously, everyone has them rated well.
- Matt Doyle, in his points over/under has them at 60.5, second best in the league. He sees Seattle as two wins worse than Inter Messi with only the LAs being within six points in the West.
- His Tier Rankings have Miami, Seattle, Cinci and LAFC in the top.
- Three of five Backheeled writers pick Sounders to win the West. One says that will be good enough for the Shield (also picked for the Shield are Messi twice, LAFC and Cinci). The most popular MLS Cup winner? Us.
- Here's their full preview for Seattle. Remember SaH Advocate members get Backheeled access.
- Tom Bogert at Give Me Sport also has Seattle winning the West regular season. But Tom doesn't see the Sounders taking a covered trophy.
- The Athletic's staff only has one pick for a Sounders trophy. Jeff Rueter picks Seattle to win MLS Cup.
- MLS Soccer Power Rankings have the Sounders at 4th, which is funny when you remember that the Seattle Sounders preview had five of nine respondents pick Schmetzer's team to win the West.
- Expert predictions by MLS Soccer contributors also don't match the preview, with the same experts who once had a majority say Seattle would finish above LAFC flipping that result.
- Sports Illustrated puts Atlanta at number one and Miami at three, with Seattle nestled into the second slot.
- CBS Sports minimalist rankings are only a top five, with Seattle at number two.
- Goal's power rankings came out a couple weeks ago. Surprisingly, Seattle was number three, but ahead of Inter.
- American Soccer Analysis doesn't do Power Rankings. Their preview ends with this line:
At the end of the season, you can count on Death, Taxes and Brian Schmetzer's Rave Green to make the playoffs and push towards another MLS Cup appearance. And hopefully, just hopefully, a little bit of silverware along the way.
Seattle Sounders fans, particularly the Sounder at Heart commentariat, may not be excited for the 2025 season. National pundits are. They see Brian Schmetzer challenging for trophies he's already won and maybe picking up one that he has yet to carry as a head coach.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday night's home opener is against Charlotte FC at 7:30 pm PT on MLS Season Pass.
There's new "exclusive access to the new Alliance Member Central located in Olympic Hall" for season ticket members in 2025.
- We’d love to see you at our beer-release party
- Lobbing Scorchers Under The Lights: Charlotte FC Preview w/ TopBin90
- Sounders attack could hit a new gear
- Mailbag: Over/unders and breakout candidates
- Everything you need to know to prep for 2025 Sounders season
- Realio’s Ratings: Let’s ride
- Postgame Pontifications: They might be giants
- Lobbing Scorchers: Thank you, FC Dallas
- Off to the races: Sounders open with emphatic CCC win
- Insufferable Immortality: The Sounders’ path to rubbing it in everyone’s face
- Sounders passed on chance to sign Nico Lodeiro, sources say
- Why Sounders felt now was the time to trade Josh Atencio
- MLS Fantasy Week 1: Start Your Engines!
Reign
Next match: Preseason against Angel City at 12:30 pm PT on Fox 13+ and ACFC's YouTube page. Regular season starts Saturday March 15th at 7 pm PT Reign host Gotham on iON television.
Defiance
Next match: Ventura County (Galaxy) host Defiance on March 7 at 7 pm PT on MLS Season Pass.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
With no more draft the NWSL young players are getting more money faster. Angel City FC still doesn't have a head coach. Bay FC's head scout has a past with abuse allegations. They 'empathize' with concerns, but aren't changing anything.
Forbes says the Sounders are the 8th most valuable team in the league. No one will ever tell you how many people are watching MLS.
Playing for fun is what soccer is all about. Meet Gal FC. Also, look into ECS Pub League here locally.