Still searching for the bottom, Seattle rolled into San Diego, played a single minute of competent soccer before capitulating, conceded three goals in the first half, and were never competitive against an expansion team. Any time the Sounders press looked competent, they squandered their chance. Then as their press failed, they gave up massive chances the other way that weren’t squandered. The final was mercifully only 3-0, as San Diego FC sat back and partied for most of the 90 minutes while the Sounders chased shadows and accumulated some useless expected goals. No questions were answered about Seattle’s slow start, and new ones were raised as players young and old flat-out struggled. The opponent looked more organized, better coached, exhibiting stronger teamplay and more effort, as Seattle was just run over in a demoralizing display of regrettable soccer. Even after a few days, I’m still mad, sad, and cynical. Mostly cynical.
WTF? Zero tactical consistency. Pre-season levels of play. Embarrassing effort. This team’s inability to deal with adversity (injuries, early goals against, whatever) or learn formation and positioning responsibility is vast and troubling.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 4 | Community – 4.6
Frei continues to bleed goals but not be solely culpable for them. It is hard to blame him when the defense gives up huge transition moments, but it’s also hard to forgive him when he and his defense shipped three first half goals. He was credited for a single save.
What I liked: A chance in extra time of the first half was thwarted by Frei coming out and forcing a chip that went barely over. A second attempt moments later was also saved, delaying the inevitable by about 30 seconds.
What I didn’t like: The difference in goalkeeper comfort on the ball was clear, with Frei spewing poor passes in the 27th and 79th, compared to the opponent calmly eviscerating the Sounders’ press attempts. Stefan didn’t look ready to save any of their goals, diving forlornly after each without getting particularly close.
WTF? The team bled goals and big chances in the first half, and yet where was the fire? The leadership? Captain Frei looks mundane and the team looks defeated.
Defense
Nouhou – 7 (MOTM) | Community – 4.7
Nouhou continues to play well. However, he’s part of a defense that’s playing poorly, so maybe he isn’t playing that well after all. That contradiction is hard to explain. While Nouhou was completing 90 percent of his passes and winning the most tackles in the game, the entire defense was a porous mess, especially in transition.
What I liked: Nouhou’s incredible work in the 15th minute single-handedly stopped a break and a likely goal, and his defense in the 32nd, 50th, and 51st ended big opportunities for San Diego. On two of the three goals he hustled back well to force a pass, but was let down by teammates around him.
What I didn’t like: Trying to dribble out of trouble and turning it over in the 40th minute was part of a flustered Sounders team that couldn’t manage to get into the locker room only down by two.
WTF? For the most part Nouhou has been fine, but the team needs so much more than fine.
Jackson Ragen – 4 | Community – 3.9
Ragen laced up his roller skates and headed to San Diego this weekend. He had 90 touches and 90 percent passing. He also had a terrible match highlighted by perpetual defensive blunders. Whether it was passing to the wrong team, taking poor angles, or getting badly beaten centrally, Jackson was forced to defend in transition and struggled.
What I liked: Nice defense in the 14th minute in the box meant San Diego didn’t score yet another goal, and four minutes later Jackson made a fabulous through ball to put Georgi Minoungou in on goal for one of Seattle’s best chances of the entire match.
What I didn’t like: Seattle’s whole defense was a disaster in the first half. Ragen passed to the other team or was too slow to support the gaps that were everywhere. His terrible back pass in the 35th almost gave up another goal, he guarded nothing on goal two, and on their third goal, which started via his own errant pass, Ragen was easily beaten as San Diego strolled in to score.
WTF? The greatest passing in the world hardly matters if you are constantly exposed in space, and Ragen’s defense in transition was bad.
Yeimar – 6 | Community – 4.8
Yeimar, like a number of other Sounders, played soccer on Saturday. While not playing as badly as some teammates, he did little to impress. His defensive efforts were many: five tackles, three interceptions, four clearances and maybe stopping multiple other goals. Positioning-wise, he struggled to find balance on the right width.
What I liked: A 23rd minute interception showed how great his anticipation is, and he quickly moved the ball up to the front. He was constantly thwarting plays that could have snowballed.
What I didn’t like: His sometimes errant passing has often been discussed, but it’s the lack of dynamic passes that hampers the Sounders, especially when Yeimar gets a team-high 91 touches. In the 61st minute he had a wide open header off a set piece with a chance to give Seattle life. He did not give Seattle life.
WTF? If Yeimar doesn’t babysit Ragen, the team gets stretched, and nobody cares about all the fancy interceptions when you bleed goals.
Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 5 | Community – 4.9 (off 80’ for Baker-Whiting)
Paul Rothrock started and again looked frustrated. He attempted to mitigate his technical deficiencies with effort, and yet again had little to show for it. He didn’t do much on either end, when either end could have used something, anything.
What I liked: In the 10th and 26th minutes, Seattle got two shots, both falling to Paul’s smart movement. Unfortunately, these attempts were hopeful first-time volleys that got on frame but didn’t trouble San Diego.
What I didn’t like: Paul didn’t directly concede any goals, but he did miss a number of key passes that could have given Seattle some life in this match. He had chances to do something but struggled, returning 0/4 on crosses and 2/9 on duels.
WTF? The depth issues means Rothrock is a starter on the left wing, but maybe he should be a starter on the left out.
Cristian Roldan – 5 | Community – 4.6
While his brother got off the field early, the elder Roldan was forced to sit in his mediocrity. He was one of the few players who played hard, albeit not well. His biggest problem was that his connection with the players around him was not sharp, and any gaps were heightened by Seattle’s extremely poor recovery positioning.
What I liked: At least he was trying. Cristian ran his butt off, constantly trying to support the middle as Seattle played a suicidal high press. He wasn’t dispossessed a single time and there were times his movement in the middle was the only thing stopping more one-way traffic.
What I didn’t like: Cristian tried to do too much to cover for the gaps in the defense, constantly running himself out of the play and being on the wrong end of transition moments.
WTF? This might have been the first time we saw a lack of effort from Roldan as the match slipped away. Or it could have been exhaustion from watching dudes around him jog themselves out of position, constantly watching and chasing the ball.
Obed Vargas – 5 | Community – 4.7
Obed started next to Cristian in the middle, giving him a great view while goals were scored. He didn’t do too much wrong, because he didn’t do much at all. His coverage connection with Roldan was abysmal, and they constantly left gaps that San Diego knifed through. His 79 touches and 90 percent passing was a lot of connecting that didn’t amount to much, but four key interceptions prevented the match from being even more lopsided.
What I liked: Obed connected a lot of safe, square passes for most of the match. An 87th minute press created a shot for Seattle that might have earned some moral victory points.
What I didn’t like: Over and over, someone would leave a gap or press an opponent, and Obed would be out of position, often too far up and wide after making a good run, but then being lost and failing to recover. Watching others sprint by him trying to defend was infuriating.
WTF? It wasn’t so long ago that Josh Atencio was starting over this guy. Hey, where’d that guy go?
Alex Roldan – 5 | Community – 4.2 (off 34’ injured for Kossa-Rienzi)
Alex started the match, was sort of “there” and then he got hurt and was less there. During the sort of “there" part, Roldan couldn’t connect with anyone, and his positioning was a hybrid of right central and some defensive support, but clearly not enough of either.
What I liked: He had three recoveries. Not sure what to say about someone who played badly then was hurt, but it was only a 1-0 deficit during his time on the field.
What I didn’t like: “Overloading the middle” (not playing defense) “Supporting the attack” (one shot, zero key passes) “Midfield strength and connection” (62 percent passing). Blech.
WTF? This injury comes at a time when the team will probably change things anyway. I’m guessing his five chances created all year won’t be missed.
Attacking Midfield
Albert Rusnák – 5 | Community – 4.8 (off 46’ injured for Leyva)
Rusnák played a half and had a very muted effect on the match. Two shots, a key pass, and 88 percent passing might have been enough on a team of high achievers (hah!), but with only 23 touches and a distinct lack of middle help, Albert didn’t make enough of an impact.
What I liked: It’s hard to believe now, but 40 minutes into the match, the Sounders, while not playing great, had only conceded once and had created a few opportunities to tie the match. The best shot might have been from Albert, who lined up a near-post effort through traffic in the 6th minute that was a vintage piece of work.
What I didn’t like: A turnover in stoppage time of the first half led to a nervy moment for Frei, and Albert’s lack of defensive presence put pressure on a stretched defense behind him. He was part of a struggling press that was at odds with itself.
WTF? Of course he got hurt. Rusnák has more key passes than the next three chance creators on the team combined. I’m sure losing him for any amount of time will be no big deal.
Jesús Ferreira – 5 | Community – 3.6 (off 62’ for Musovski)
Starting at the wing, Jesús was not evident for much of his time. As Seattle immediately conceded and struggled to find quality, he moved up top and yet didn’t make the movement or find the ball in any fortuitous locations. Twenty-two touches in 61 minutes. Woof.
What I liked: We quickly figured out that Georgi wasn’t a forward, so Jesús was pushed up there. While not amazing (no one was remotely amazing), Jesús at least took good angles when pressing, which gave Seattle a number of close opportunities.
What I didn’t like: In the 56th minute, Seattle had a chance to do something; Jesús got the ball on his foot and … fumbled it away being too slow. Watching an opponent that quickly moved the ball directly to where they wanted and then seeing our guys stand on the ball and look around for the weather report was so annoying.
WTF? Being good technically only matters if you can combine with teammates. Jesús doesn’t even look like he wants to be here, with misguided effort after a struggling appearance followed by a disappointing match.
Forward
Georgi Minoungou – 5 | Community – 4.3 (off 61’ for de la Vega)
Georgi started at forward and for a few minutes looked like the tall, fast, Jordan Morris clone this team needed. Then he started to look around for a sideline to hug, and it was readily apparent that he wasn’t ready to lead the line with any tactical savvy. He had 20 touches and a single key pass, no shots, and zero successful dribbles, even after being switched outside.
What I liked: Offering some nice holdup in the 6th minute, there was brief hope. A brilliant vertical run in the 18th showed instincts, and Georgi got free directly on goal from a beautiful Ragen pass before missing everything. He did force a yellow in the 61st with pressure.
What I didn’t like: Most attackers on this team struggle to score, so it wasn’t surprising when Georgi too failed to even get a shot. What was extra annoying was his complete lack of understanding of how to press, with his angles being consistently off, allowing San Diego to release time and again. When he returned to the wing, his turnover led to goal two as he forlornly chased down the play centrally.
WTF? Georgi is a dynamic wide attacking substitute option that has looked awful every time he has to play more than 20 minutes against fresh legs, or do anything more complicated than beat his man and cross.
Substitutes
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi – 4 | Community – 4.2 (on 34’ for A. Roldan)
KKR wasn’t likely slated to play in this match, no doubt because he doesn’t defend very well. This was exposed multiple times, and by the time Seattle adjusted and Kalani figured himself out, the damage was done. He ended with 41 touches and 82 percent passing.
What I liked: A nice 82nd minute run over the top showed the attacking chops that he must show to offset his shaky defense. He had an attempted shot in the 88th minute.
What I didn’t like: In fairness, on the second goal, Rothrock, Rusnák, Ferreira, and KKR were all in a line playing forward, but also why is your right wing back up there, and where was his cover? Kossa-Rienzi did hustle more than Obed and got back post defensively, but the damage was done. He was completely beaten on a set piece moments later with only Frei forcing an errant chip from conceding immediately again as Hirving Lozano got in behind Kalani.
WTF? If Seattle attempts to right the ship via stronger defense, relying on KKR won’t be the way if he gets beaten this badly.
Danny Levya – 6 | Community – 4.7 (on 46’ for Rusnák)
Leyva entered and again showed his attacking ability as well as his inability to defend. He had a shot, two key passes, and was a nice creative presence, willing to dribble and pass through the middle and look direct, a pleasant change.
What I liked: Immediately attempting a 47th minute vertical pass announced a player willing to at least try forward passing. He added lovely passes in the 71st and 82nd, each time creating attacks through the opponent’s defense before they could set up. Leyva supplied almost all of the Sounders’ offensive creativity.
What I didn’t like: A 68th minute yellow card was from a lunging tackle, the kind of play Levya consistently makes because he is out of position defensively. At least he’s willing to try to make the play.
WTF? Leyva might get a chance to play a lot more if Rusnák is hurt. More likely, he’ll again be passed over for someone else.
Pedro de la Vega – 5 | Community – 5.3 (MOTM) (on 61’ for Minoungou)
PDLV came in and looked like mid-last year Pedro. That meant a lot of good stuff, but also some frustrating lack of connection with teammates. He had 29 touches, 90 percent passing, and a shot.
What I liked: The creativity is there. He almost stole a ball immediately upon entering, worked a give-and-go in the 66th with Leyva, had a 72nd minute dribble that went through three, and earned an 85th minute free kick after being better than the opponents.
What I didn’t like: For all his dribbling and effort (which admittedly was in stark contrast to a number of teammates), it amounted to nothing. A single shot was his only direct offensive output, and that didn’t force a save. He isn’t setting up teammates.
WTF? It’s great that he’s back. It sure would be nice not to have to wait another four months for him to begin connecting and understanding where his teammates are.
Danny Musovski – 4 | Community – 4.0 (on 62’ for Ferreira)
Musovski not starting forced a domino effect of position changes that Seattle took at least a half to adjust to. When he got on the field, he made stuff happen, to the tune of three shots and two aerials won on only nine touches. His inability to connect with teammates (50 percent passing) made the play much more of a fiesta than necessary.
What I liked: Musovski’s tactical understanding makes the Sounders shape better, and it improved after he arrived. He immediately got in the end of a header on a set piece, and won a dangerous free kick in the 82nd. He made a lot happen in a few minutes.
What I didn’t like: Danny continues to get in good spots and yet can’t do anything with them. Although the keeper was closing quickly in the 87th minute, did anyone think Moose was going to calmly score? Or did you already know he was going to fall backwards, stab at the ball and get smothered?
WTF? Is Musovski a Herc Gomez/Nelson Valdez/Heber-level washed or is there something left in there to salvage? His brain is better than his feet.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 | Community – 4.3 (on 80’ for Rothrock)
Reed returned from yet another injury and looked like a Defiance guy who was just promoted. He played all over the field, perhaps as confused as I was where he was supposed to play. He was also adjusting to a tactical setup akin to “throwing shit at the wall.”
What I liked: A key pass on seven touches? That’s a top-five-best-Seattle-creators level right there. Doing so with an accurate cross? Be still my heart.
What I didn’t like: A 90th minute turnover was indicative of not being up to speed. At least he has an excuse.
WTF? Keep waiting if you were expecting this dude to save the team.
Referee
Malik Badawi – 6 | Community – 5.5
The ref had to watch that performance, and from a front row seat. Cheers to him, not just carding people off the field in disgust. The fouls made sense, as San Diego got a lead, sat back and fouled, while Seattle pushed forward and didn’t take advantage. There were twice as many fouls on the home team as away, and three times as many cards, which felt about right for the game state.
What I liked: When San Diego smartly (dammit) stopped a break in the 61st minute, Badawi correctly showed a yellow card. The ref didn’t have to do much, but he did well with what little was merited.
What I didn’t like: Ragen appeared to be fouled in the 20th minute, but the whistle was swallowed. A foul similar to what became a 61st minute yellow came in the 28th on a breakout, but no card was shown in a bit of inconsistency.
WTF? Multiple good referee jobs in a row: I’m sure that will last.
San Diego FC MOTM
Lil’ Chucky Lozano did what he wanted down SD’s left, assisting on the first before scoring the third. In between, he drifted centrally to play the initial ball that led to the second goal, and had the clever chip that nearly came off.
Upcoming: Another road game, this one at Dallas, and no doubt Seattle will start another new lineup. That always goes well.
