Ship’s Log, Feb. 28: Altitude sickness

Dave Clark -

There’s no good way to prepare for the lower oxygen environments of high elevations. It’s an advantage for home teams in Utah, Colorado, Antigua, Mexico City and elsewhere that’s much different than having a vibrant crowd or single-digit cold or triple-digit heat.

Now, it’s quite unlikely that the Seattle Sounders will actually get altitude sickness – they’re professional athletes, not homebodies like the author.

Instead they’ll move just a little slower, react a little slower, think a little slower. They’ll struggle to look like the fun, energetic team capable of putting up a three piece. Acclimatization takes months, not days or weeks.

No matter how bad Real Salt Lake is and no matter how good the Sounders are Saturday’s match will likely cause the Sounders faithful some amount of sickness. Wins there are rare.

Now, just because Seattle is at significant elevation against Salt Lake doesn’t mean they can’t win. The Sounders did just beat Antigua 3-1 at elevation. Rotation and earlier subs can help. Adjusting pressing patterns and speed of play can help too.

It won’t be easy. It’s complex because of short rest for both sides as the Sounders are in a period with two matches a week for at least four weeks, including a third high elevation trip to face Cruz Azul in leg 2 of that Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 contest.

There’s been a lot of talk about the depth of the Sounders. That depth will not be tested more than it will be now, in the early season with double-game weeks and road trips for matches played at 5,029, 4,450 and 7,349. There will be heavy legs late. Lungs will be screaming.

And the Seattle Sounders may just be looking like the greatest team you've ever seen if they pull off road points in all three.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here's what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Saturday at 1:30 pm PT on MLS Season Pass the Seattle Sounders are at Real Salt Lake. RSL is 0-2-1, -5 in all competitions in 2025. Seattle is 2-0-1, +4 in all competitions. Both teams faced Central American opponents in the CCC.

Reign

Next match: 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.

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Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

The Portland Thorns lost three key players to season ending injuries already. That includes WSU Cougar Morgan Weaver.

NWSL kit release week includes Reign coming in at 5th of 14 and a deep look in the Nike creation process.

The Bay FC scout featured in last week's Ship's Log is no longer a Bay FC scout.

After taking second, despite hosting the invitational, which USWNT player set themselves up for their future?

The Guardian reports on how medical professionals and sports scientists are trying to better understand the menstrual cycle to improve training and performance.

England may ditch promotion & relegation for the women's game.

Nineteen MLS teams start 2025 with less than three DPs, including three teams that opted for the three DP model. Doyle rates Seattle third best after week one. MLS continues to raise spending on player salaries and make other advancements, even if there wasn't a huge leap forward after signing Messi.

The CCC match between Colorado and LAFC stopped for about 5 minutes due to an alleged slur. Concacaf is investigating. The referee that asked for Messi's autograph is suspended.

Canada's American-citizen coach of their men's national team spoke out against the invasion rhetoric of the US President wanting to turn Canada into a state. US soccer's representative refused to make a statement after Jesse Marsch's comments.

The Boise-to-USL project continues to advance after a lease agreement was reached.

I turn 50 later this year. If I was King Kazu I would have at least eight more years of pro soccer ahead of me. Instead I have zero years of pro soccer ever and he has 40 total.

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Rest in peace Ernie Gary Gygax Jr. Ernie played Tenser, the first magic user in D&D and was the eldest son of Gary Gygax, co-creator of the game. He passed away early Friday.