Ship's Log, April 12: You don't owe the Sounders anything
Seattle Sounders soccer isn't fun right now. That's true for the fans, the media, the players, the coaches, anyone who pays attention.
They aren't just losing. Losses are expected.
They look bad while losing. They look slow. Some players look disinterested. Players who are getting chances due to industry mostly seem incapable of seizing the opportunity.
Hate-watching is bad for your health.
Don't do it.
When your sports team isn't bringing you joy and happiness you owe them nothing. If they aren't helping you understand the community bound by the fandom, you don't owe them a Saturday night in front of the TV or in the stands.
A column like this seems to be written every year. Yet, every year we need the reminder that the fellowship of fandom is only binding when there is fellowship. Taking out anger and frustration on other fans helps no one. Screaming at a team of losers isn't helpful either. You don't have a duty to be angry at sports.
The only party with a duty in the fan-club relationship is the club.
From ownership down through coaching staff through operations through the players and the marketers, they are the ones with a responsibility to put forward an experience filled with joy that centers our community.
When they are failing us we can do other things. Walk your dog. Try a new local restaurant. Read a book. Do something that fills the void of joy that the Seattle Sounders used to.
Your duty is to yourself, your family, your friends, your fellow fans. Lift them up.
The Seattle Sounders will be here next week or the week after. We know they'll be fun again, because that's also a tradition – their annual surge towards the top will come.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, April 12 at FC Dallas | 5:30 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Dallas has 11 points in 7 matches with a +0 goal differential. They are 6th in the West.
Seattle has 6 points in 7 matches with a -3 gd. They are 12th in the West, a win and tie-breakers below the soft orange line of the play-in round (2 wins from 5th, but one thing at a time).
- Looking ahead:
- Looking back:
Reign
Next match: Saturday, April 12 vs. Orlando Pride | 4:30 pm PT | ION
Pride have 9 points in 3 matches with a +9 goal differential.
Reign have 4 points in 3 matches with a +0 gd.
Defiance
Next match: Tuesday, April 15 vs Oakland Roots in the US Open Cup | 7:30 pm PT | Paramount+
Roots are winless on the season with 1 point in 5 played. Their 0-0 draw is the only time in 2025 they've given up fewer than 2 goals. Oakland is scoreless in their last two played.
Defiance are undefeated at home in 2025.
- Defiance fall to LAFC2, snap 4-game winning streak
- How pro/rel will change soccer in the Pacific Northwest
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Buffalo's USL Championship project is self-funding a pop-up style stadium for 7,600 in a new entertainment district.
Sounders are 17th in the Backheeled Power Rankings. By American Soccer Analysis expected Points they are 10th, but their xG is inflated by a plethora of low probability shots. Still they are 10th by G+ goal differential, which surprises me considering how fundamentally slow and stale they look for large portions of games. Six-five-one has Seattle at 21st. With thirty teams that means the Sounders are somewhere between mediocre and bad, but not yet awful – give us time?
In the remaining primary or exceptional transfer window Doyle wants to see a #9 that can be between Jordan and whoever isn't doing their job as the backup.
One place where the Sounders are better than anyone else is getting value from the backend of the roster.
Twin PKs is the Sounder at Heart sponsored team in ECS Pub League.
The NWSL wants to play during the Men's World Cup next year, but in some cities that will be a challenge because the stadium and training facilities are blocked. Seattle is one of those.
Canada's new pro women's league will be on ESPN+.
U.S., Canada and Mexico World Cup organizers react to Trump impact on 2026 plans
Sounder at Heart columnist and super fan G Willow Wilson is nominated for a Hugo. You'll find out if The Hunger and The Dusk wins when Seattle hosts WorldCon in August.