Heartbreak averted! The Seattle Sounders, facing a depleted roster, clenched a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake in their final home game of the season. This win secured their fifth-place standing in the Western Conference, but it was far from a walk in the park. How did they manage to pull it off with so many key players missing? Let's dive in.
Despite missing a significant chunk of their squad due to injuries, international duties, and suspensions – practically an entire starting XI! – the Sounders found a way to clinch their 14th win of the season. The hero of the hour? Paul Rothrock, whose early goal in the 4th minute proved to be the difference-maker. But here's where it gets controversial... was this victory a testament to the team's depth, or a narrow escape against a lackluster opponent?
From the opening whistle, Seattle came out firing on all cylinders, dominating RSL. In the 2nd minute, Rothrock and Jordan Morris nearly connected for a scoring opportunity inside the six-yard box, foreshadowing what was to come. Just two minutes later, Morris showcased his blistering pace, breaking through the RSL defense and reaching the end line. He then cleverly cut the ball back towards Pedro de la Vega, who, in what appeared to be an attempted shot, inadvertently directed the ball to a lurking Rothrock at the back post. Rothrock made no mistake, connecting cleanly and slotting the ball past RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, giving the Sounders an early 1-0 advantage.
Moments later, the dynamic duo of Rothrock and Morris struck again. Rothrock played a precise ball to Morris, who was then brought down inside the penalty area. The referee initially waved play on, but after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review, the Sounders were awarded a penalty. Morris stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his shot, while powerfully struck, was at a comfortable height for Cabral, who made a crucial save, pushing the ball away for a corner. And this is the part most people miss... was Morris's penalty technique the right choice given the circumstances, or should another player have taken the responsibility?
Undeterred by the missed penalty opportunity, Seattle continued to press for a second goal, creating several promising chances. However, they struggled to truly test Cabral, with many shots narrowly missing the target. RSL, on the other hand, had a few glimpses of goal in the first half but lacked the composure and quality to convert them into anything substantial. The first half ended with the Sounders leading 1-0, but the sense was that RSL was far from out of the match.
The second half saw a shift in momentum, with RSL creating more opportunities. While the Sounders outshot RSL 10-4 in the first half, RSL flipped the script and managed 9 shots to Seattle’s 5 in the second. RSL forced Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei into making four saves, although none were particularly challenging. The tension reached fever pitch in the 89th minute when RSL appeared to have equalized. Danny Musovski committed a needless foul on Johnny Russell in Seattle's half. From the ensuing free kick, Victor Olatunji won a header at the back post, outjumping Alex Roldan, and William Agada headed the ball into the net. The stadium erupted, but the celebration was short-lived. A swift VAR review revealed that Olatunji was in an offside position when he won the initial header. The goal was disallowed, sending Sounders fans into a frenzy of relief. Was the VAR decision correct? Some might argue it was a marginal call that could have gone either way.
Seattle then weathered a late storm, absorbing waves of RSL pressure, dealing with some questionable refereeing decisions regarding fouls and timekeeping, and even threatening to score themselves in stoppage time. Finally, the full-time whistle blew, confirming the Sounders' hard-fought victory. The Sounders will now travel to face New York City FC next Saturday, October 18, for their regular season finale.
The lineup saw significant changes, with the Sounders missing nearly a full starting XI due to various reasons. Danny Leyva and João Paulo filled the midfield pivot in the absence of Cristian Roldan and Albert Rusnák. Jon Bell slotted in at left back, Alex Roldan moved to center back alongside Jackson Ragen, and Kalani Kossa-Rienzi took the right back position, with Nouhou away on international duty with Cameroon and Kim Kee-hee sidelined with an injury.
Key Moments:
- 2nd Minute: Bell's through ball finds Rothrock, who nearly connects with Morris on a cutback, but RSL clears the danger.
- 4th Minute: GOAL! Morris fights through a challenge, cuts the ball back to de la Vega, who touches it to Rothrock at the back post for the goal! Sounders lead 1-0.
- 10th Minute: Penalty! Rothrock to Leyva to Morris, who is taken down in the box. Penalty awarded after VAR review.
- 14th Minute: Save! Morris's penalty is saved by Cabral, who parries it wide.
- 16th Minute: Kossa-Rienzi's pass finds de la Vega, whose shot goes just wide.
- 17th Minute: Another chance for Kossa-Rienzi, but his shot misses the target.
- 21st Minute: RSL's shot goes harmlessly into the Hawk's Nest.
- 25th Minute: Ragen's shot from a corner goes over the bar.
- 34th Minute: An RSL attack ends with a shot wide of the goal.
- 47th Minute: Frei makes an easy save from Katranis's shot.
- 52nd Minute: Ferreira's cross-chip floats just over the bar.
- 63rd Minute: Agada's header goes wide.
- 70th Minute: Rothrock's shot goes wide after being played in by Ferreira.
- 74th Minute: Frei saves an RSL shot.
- 79th Minute: Rothrock's goal is disallowed for offside on Morris.
- 85th Minute: Frei bobbles a save but recovers.
- 89th Minute: RSL's goal is disallowed for offside on Olatunji.
Quick Thoughts:
- In the Middle of It All: Danny Leyva seized his opportunity with a strong performance in midfield, showcasing his passing range and winning duels. Could this be the start of a more prominent role for him in the team?
- Next Man Up: The Sounders' reliance on their development pipeline was evident, with several academy and Tacoma Defiance graduates playing key roles. Is this sustainable in the long run, or will the team need to invest more in external talent?
- Often Unsung Hero: Alex Roldan's versatility and consistent performance across multiple positions deserve recognition. Is he underrated in the league, and should he be considered among the team's most valuable players?
Notable Quote:
Brian Schmetzer praised his players for stepping up, highlighting the contributions of young leaders like Jonathan Bell and Danny Leyva.
Player Spotlight:
Pedro de la Vega impressed with 3 chances created, 10/11 duels won, and an assist on Rothrock's goal. Is he living up to the hype, and what more can we expect from him in the playoffs?
So, what are your thoughts? Was this win a sign of good things to come for the Sounders, or a lucky escape? Who impressed you the most in this match, and what are your predictions for their upcoming game against NYCFC? Let's discuss in the comments below!
