Now that was more like it. LAFC had owned the Sounders for much of their rivalry and was flying high after wins in every single match so far this season, including cruising in CCC midweek. Then they came to the Emerald City on Saturday and ran into a solid brick wall. Seattle’s rotated lineup came out crisp, dominated the first 30 minutes, scored an early goal and dictated play. They lagged a bit as an injury and some sloppy play allowed LAFC a lifeline via a tying goal before half. The second half adjustments demonstrated which team has more depth, as the Sounders absolutely pummeled the away team with a hungry vengeance that displayed complete superiority. The final was 5-2, and the Sounders could have had more, as they removed LAFC’s will to play, finally showing the potential this roster has been promising in 2025.
Note: During the original watch my 8-year-old intern took notes and I’m including his input on the match.
Intern Assessment: This was fun to watch. I thought it was good that we beat LAFC because they are a good team.
Goalkeeper
Andrew Thomas – 6 | Community – 5.9
Thomas got another start and again showed the upside that gives coaches the confidence to start him in a Western Conference league match. He also showed some growing pains that will need to be cleaned up before he makes anyone forget GK#1. Only credited with one save, Seattle’s defense did a quality job to limit chances for Thomas to deal with.
What I liked: Andrew’s aggressive punching is a great asset, and he used it in the 18th and 36th minutes to clear crosses that could otherwise have been an issue. He uses this tool excellently to get the ball far away and to the width.
What I didn’t like: Wanting to get to halftime up a goal, Thomas came out in the 38th minute and got hung up on Jackson Ragen, with both combining to fumble the ball. LAFC took advantage, scoring and briefly putting the game result in doubt.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.5: He should have caught the ball but he didn’t, and this resulted in an LAFC goal.
Defense
Jon Bell– 6 | Community – 6.4
Bell played on the left of the defense and looked much improved over his previous central play, but the performance was up and down. He showed excellent defensive instincts and forward passing ability, but also some disappointing errors in decision making.
What I liked: Bell’s defensive anticipation was excellent for much of the game, starting with a 14th minute step, and consistent counter pressing on the width was a team strength. His best moment came in an inspired dash up the left wing in the 84th minute, flying into the attack before finding Albert Rusnák as an attacking option. Cristian did the rest.
What I didn’t like: Some odd passing choices and lost possessions often came without any downside, but a poor decision to try to dribble forward in the 92nd minute was a disaster. Not only was the ball stolen from him, but he failed to recover; instead he followed the LAFC player’s impressive run and watched him score a meaningless, but annoying, goal.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.6: He did pretty good except for a 15th minute bad pass.
Jackson Ragen – 7 | Community – 6.7
Ragen was absolutely dealing against LAFC, turning their lack of high pressure into a distribution clinic. Jackson completed an absurd 78/80 (98 percent) passing, connecting all over the field. It was a quiet day defensively for Ragen and company, as the counter-attacking style of LAFC was muted and the Sounders were able to limit scoring chances for much of the match.
What I liked: Ragen makes this defense work with his positioning and ability to get out of trouble via distribution. It isn’t just the fact that he tries passes like his 28th minute direct forward ball through multiple lines of pressure to Danny Musovski, it’s that completing these passes changes how opponents have to set up their central midfield.
What I didn’t like: It was hard to know what happened in the 38th minute as Ragen and Thomas tangled up on a corner kick and both were taken out of the play as LAFC scored. Jackson had a chance to rectify this mistake on the offensive end in the 52nd minute with a wide open back post header on a set piece, but he cleared it out instead, getting it all wrong.
Intern Assessment Rating - 7.0: I know he did a lot of small things that added up to a good performance. I wanted him to score that header.
Yeimar – 7 | Community – 7.0
Yeimar had a quiet match, but the kind of match where he quietly stole LAFC souls, limiting attacks and cutting half chances off before they could materialize into anything else. He had four tackles and three clearances, 95 percent passing, and a shot on goal.
What I liked: Much of the positive play on the right in the first half was due to excellent communication from Yeimar and Kalani, such as a 10th minute step over to support, and another excellent combination in extra time. Yeimar was the most active and most effective of the defensive unit.
What I didn’t like: The combination on the right was strong, but there were a number of times when Yeimar whiffed defensively, and uncharacteristically needed to be bailed out by KKR or Ragen.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.7: He had a lot of good defense and is great at interceptions.
Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 7.7
After a slow first half, it looked like another match where Paul wasn’t showing the upside from last year. Hoooboy, did that change after halftime. Suddenly energized and paired with the direct space that Morris created, Rothrock was a revelation of creation and the key to the Sounders’ dominance.
What I liked: The difference in the second half player positioning was almost negligible for everyone but Rothrock, who was almost 20 yards higher up the pitch than his first half heat map. That meant a direct threat that pulled the defense wide to his side, opened spaces all over, and created the gaps that Seattle utilized. He also created space for himself, which started with a direct run and winning a free kick in the 56th. Paul followed this up with his 57th minute goal, an audacious 30 yard rocket that hit far-post side netting. That lead was one Seattle would hold, as Paul set up Jordan Morris in the 65th for a near-goal, and again in the 77th for a shot that WAS finished, like the chances of LAFC coming back. The timing and success of Rothrock’s impact were massive.
What I didn’t like: In the first half there were struggles, such as a few unforced errors when Paul got his legs tangled. His positioning was cautious and near midfield. In the 75th he had better options than shooting.
Intern Assessment Rating - 8.9 (MOTM): He had a goal and an assist and helped defensively in the 20th minute. In the 41st minute he just dribbled out of bounds. His goal was really good.
João Paulo – 7 | Community – 7.3
A resilient and productive center midfield was anchored by the indomitable João Paulo, who was nearly flawless against LAFC. Much of the Sounders’ possession was dependent on both JP and Danny Leyva to touch the ball a lot, and for them to distribute cleanly, and that’s what they did. João had a massive 140 touches and incredible 110 completions (92 percent).
What I liked: This was possession with a purpose, as JP had 25 passes into the final third, constantly pushing the ball into attacking areas. He added a key pass, and the central team controlled the match almost completely.
What I didn’t like: The few times Seattle struggled were often due to a small mistake in the center. Although he won his tackles, JP only won 6/15 duels, and that many duels could potentially have been more disruptive.
Intern Assessment Rating - 7.4: I think he had the ball a lot and never let LAFC get it from him.
Danny Leyva – 7 | Community – 7.2 (off 88’ for Minoungou)
Pairing beautifully with JP was the resurgent Danny Leyva, who added 106 completed passes of his own to the midfield, at a 94 percent clip. If JP was the peanut butter, Leyva was the jam, with 17 passes into the final third and 12 defensive recoveries of his own. Showcasing exquisite vision and control in tight quarters, Danny consistently received in the middle and quickly shuttled it forward or cleanly switched the field.
What I liked: This pairing was so balanced; they covered for each other and found effectiveness by blending their very different playstyles. Danny was particularly great at using his excellent vision, calmly distributing forward and ensuring quick transitions, especially in the second half as Seattle was able to inject direct pace. Even while being more offensively focused, he won all his duels.
What I didn’t like: A 9th minute cross went right to the opposing goalie and wasted a strong attacking sequence. Without the space in the first half, at times the team had trouble penetrating the box, and possession didn’t always find a payoff.
Intern Assessment Rating - 7.5: He passed the ball forward and made things happen. He has great control and can see teammates.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi – 8 | Community – 7.4 (off 70’ for A. Roldan)
Kalani got his second start and boy did he show growth from a week ago. Absolutely dynamite forward play was paired with smart defending, and had there been a MOTM for the first half, it was Kossa-Rienzi by a landslide. At the half he was 24/24 (100 percent) passing while leading the team in tackles (four) and duels (five). Oh, and he scored his first Sounders goal in the 11th minute.
What I liked: In an absolute WOW sequence of plays, KKR started wide, chalking his heels and releasing over the top onto the end of an excellent Jesús Ferreira pass. Kalani did it all: sprinting into the box, shrugging off a challenge, cutting back to create space, looking off the keeper and scoring a rocket left-footed shot into the far side netting. This was a brilliant personal effort and speaks to a cultured attacking skillset.
What I didn’t like: Kalani’s offensive and defensive production were both solid. If there was anything to improve upon, it was that his effectiveness dropped as he tired, necessitating a second-half sub.
Intern Assessment Rating - 7.9: I like how he turned off the player to his left foot and shot to score.
Attacking Midfield
Pedro de la Vega– 5 | Community – 6.0 (off injured 36’ for Rusnák)
Pedro looked strong against LAFC, again showing his unique control ability in attack and a willingness to stick in defensively. Unfortunately, his afternoon ended early, pulling up lame in the first half and necessitating a sub. Hopefully this is a minor issue, but it’s scary to see him hurt after last season’s struggles.
What I liked: Earning a corner kick early with strong individual pressure was excellent, and he continues to do little things that no one else on the team does, such as a unique little poke pass to KKR in the 16th minute that nearly put the goalscorer back into a dangerous spot.
What I didn’t like: Anytime a non-contact injury happens you fear the worst, and that he was immediately pulled and icing his leg looked bad. For a player with his unfortunate injury history and in light of how well he has been playing, we hope this is a short setback.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.4: He didn’t play a lot, but when he was in he had lots of energy. If he stayed longer, he would have scored or assisted.
Jesús Ferreira – 7 | Community – 6.6 (off 71’ for C. Roldan)
Jesús started at the right wing and brought his style of controlled play that was at times at odds with teammates, but when it worked it was incredible. His two key passes included a lovely assist, and his vision consistently opened up space for himself and teammates. With 88 percent passing, Ferreira was quietly very effective in connecting the Sounders forward.
What I liked: His 11th minute pass to KKR was the kind of smart execution you can expect from Ferreira. While dropping deeper, he instantly recognized the open space and vertical movement from his teammate and dropped in the perfect pass.
What I didn’t like: There were a number of times when Jesús seemed too slow or deliberate on the ball, especially in the first 10 minutes when he missed opportunities. With the amount of on-the-ball control from teammates, it’s somewhat jarring to see Jesús, who so far this season seems allergic to dribbling.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.8: In the 7th minute he missed Rothrock for probably a goal, but made up for it with a nutmeg in the 8th minute. And he had an assist.
Forward
Danny Musovski – 5 | Community – 4.3 (off 46’ for Morris)
The Moose got a start against LAFC and did what he was asked to do: eat some minutes that wouldn’t be applied to Jordan Morris’ legs and connect some teammates. He did this, but not a lot more, ending with only 11 touches in a half of play where he was mostly starved of service.
What I liked: Danny did a lot of work without the ball, continually moving to offer passing lanes, holdup angles, or defensive support. His movement on KKR’s goal was excellent, drawing pressure away from his teammate and being an open option on the far post. If Kalani hadn’t shot and passed instead, we might be talking about Musovski’s first goal due to this excellent movement.
What I didn’t like: The difference in spacing was apparent after Danny exited, but I was especially disappointed in some of his pressing angles. Instead of consistently forcing LAFC in the back to one side or the other and cutting down the field, he often pressed straight up, allowing full field distribution.
Intern Assessment Rating - 5.8: In the 22nd minute he took a bad angle for blocking the goalkeeper’s kick, but then he had a nice press in the 23rd minute.
Substitutes
Albert Rusnák – 8 | Community – 7.3 (on 36’ for PDLV)
Likely not slated to enter for at least another 30 minutes, Albert came in for the injured Pedro in the first half and once he locked in, he was fantastic. He had a stat line to argue for MOTM: five shots, two assists, a goal, three key passes and 89 percent passing. He has been every bit a DP this year and one of the top players in the entire league (most key passes and most shots on target in MLS).
What I liked: Albert almost walked the ball into the goal in the 64th minute, had a brilliant run into the box four minutes later, assisted Paul and Cristian on their long range efforts, and calmly ended the game by scoring in the 94th minute. A tidy afternoon’s work.
What I didn’t like: It took Rusnák a while to get warmed up, and a strength from last year, set pieces, has yet to materialize so far in 2025.
Intern Assessment Rating - 8.8: He had a goal, two assists. In the 47th minute he did a backheel and I was scared he was hurt, because after that he was down for a long time. In the 68th minute he had a really good run.
Jordan Morris – 8 | Community – 7.7 (MOTM) (on 46’ for Musovski)
While Musovski held serve, Morris was serving aces. Completely changing the shape of the offense, pulling space and creating chance after chance with his movement, Morris was fantastic. He did so much with 27 touches, including two shots, a key pass, and the goal that put him on top of the Sounders career scoring mountain.
What I liked: The spacing and movement are brilliant, but it’s the prototypical striker stuff that Morris is converting on, with his textbook near-post run and finish in the 77th minute yet another example of lovely center forward scoring.
What I didn’t like: A 65th minute shot was blocked, and a few times he was just a hair short on connecting for multiple other goals.
Intern Assessment Rating - 8.1: He had a goal, and now he’s the all-time top scorer for the Sounders. In the 65th minute I think he should have scored.
Alex Roldan – 5 | Community – 6.4 (on 70’ for KKR)
With Kalani tiring and losing effectiveness, Alex came in and added another controlled possessor in the right and center-right channels. He had a shot on 31 touches.
What I liked: He won his tackle, was successful on both duel attempts, and had multiple defensive actions to ensure Seattle earned all three points.
What I didn’t like: Only 83 percent passing could have been improved, and the central possession was not as clean as it should have been.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.4: He didn’t do a lot that I saw.
Cristian Roldan – 6 | Community – 7.2 (on 71’ for Ferreira)
Cristian entered and played a combination of central positions, pushing Leyva forward and to the width. He was a stellar 21/22 passing and solidified central control.
What I liked: In the 84th minute, with Seattle firing on all cylinders, Cristian found space on the right, dribbled to the middle and scored with an excellent left-footed shot inside the far post. His ability to find the right play in either offensive or defensive positions was on full display.
What I didn’t like: It was rare, and disappointing, to see Roldan lose 2/3 duel opportunities.
Intern Assessment Rating - 7.3: Came on in the 71st minute and scored in the 84th minute for the Sounders’ fourth goal.
Georgi Minoungou – 6 | Community – 7.1 (on 88’ for Leyva)
Georgi arrived late but still managed to have a big impact in the waning moments of the match. In only a few minutes, he had multiple big offensive plays, including an assist, a shot, and 3/3 on dribbles, making LAFC defenders look foolish.
What I liked: In the 94th minute, Georgi put on a show, dribbling around defenders at will, eventually finding Albert wide open who casually turned his cross into the goal. Don’t look now, but Minoungou is tied for the seventh-most assists (2) in the league, behind Rusnák who’s tied for second-most (3).
What I didn’t like: It could have been more, with Georgi making a number of mistakes in the box on and off the ball.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.7: We all know Georgi is fast and I think he showed it. He had an assist in the 94th and good skill in the 96th.
Referee
Drew Fischer – 6 | Community – 6.2
Fischer refereed his 20th rated Sounders match since 2015, and turned in one of his better performances. An even refereeing job meant 22 total fouls called, almost equally assigned to each team, and most importantly no big mistakes, VAR drama, or missed calls. The refereeing wasn’t the story in this one.
What I liked: A 34th minute no-call on a dive set the tone that he wouldn’t let LAFC continually bait fouls, and that was appreciated. The single yellow card given was appropriate.
What I didn’t like: Starting with a 30th minute play-on that wasn’t helpful, there were some late calls and confusing whistles that ruined the flow of play. There were some opportunities for yellow cards that were not given.
Intern Assessment Rating - 6.6: The yellow card in minute 69 was right, but in the 60th minute he had a very late call. Overall he was pretty good in comparison to some others this year.
LAFC MOTM
Consolation goal or not, David Martínez looked like a real troublemaker as he won possession near midfield in the 92nd minute, then surged into the box, rode several challenges from a variety of discombobulated and stabby Sounders, and slotted LAFC’s second of the day.
Upcoming: Huge match on Tuesday against Cruz Azul in Mexico, which will tell us where this team’s potential really is.
