SEATTLE — Throughout their illustrious and decorated MLS history, the Seattle Sounders have at times played glorious football. But when they’ve been at their best, it’s just as often a more pragmatic approach that can sometimes sideline the more expansive ideals they sometimes aspire to.
That’s especially true for some of their biggest games. Think back to the 2019 MLS Cup final, for example. The goal was to win no matter what. They did. Mission accomplished. But even the biggest fans would concede that there was a lot of “taking what your opponent gave you” in this game.
The exciting thing about this current team is that even in these big games, there is an almost contagious joy to watch.
And in their biggest game yet – a Concacaf Champions League semi-final against the reigning MLS Cup champions – the Sounders were possibly their most expansive and entertaining.
It wasn’t just the 3-1 result or the fact that they seemed to be in control even after giving up the first-half equaliser. It wasn’t just the sheer number of chances. It wasn’t just the sometimes suffocating nature of their press. It was all of that, plus something a little harder to quantify. The Sounders just looked good and did everything.
“My overall impression at the moment was that it was an enjoyable football game,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said at the post-game press conference. “I hope our fans enjoyed it. I did. I enjoyed that. I hope the TV audience enjoyed that. I thought it was a good game.”
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they help. The Sounders averaged 2.86 goals, completed 479 passes (86%) and fired 10 shots from the box. NYCFC is a team that thrived in possession last year and was able to get through almost any pressure but often struggled to get out of their own end against the Sounders.
Individually, there were many standouts. Jordan Morris looked borderline unplayable in the first half while setting up one goal, scoring another and generally giving NYCFC defenders fits whenever he touched the ball. Cristian and Alex Roldan were a holy terror at right flank, deftly setting up chances deep in the NYCFC end. The midfield trio of João Paulo, Albert Rusnák and Nicolas Lodeiro, who looked so good against Minnesota United over the weekend, were even better in that game, creating overloads and advantages across the field.
“I don’t think there was a player who didn’t put in a great performance,” said Rusnák, who scored one of the best team goals in Sounders’ recent memory. The goal involved 13 passes, with 10 players getting at least one touch. “That’s what it takes in these kinds of games.”
Rusnák’s game felt particularly remarkable, especially just after what I felt was a breakthrough performance away against Minnesota a few days earlier. When Rusnák joined the Sounders, he thought he would mainly play as a wide midfielder and as a number 10. After all, those were his starring roles at Real Salt Lake and a big reason the Sounders seemed to want him.
But Schmetzer had shown a willingness to use Rusnák a little deeper that year, banking on his ability to cover ground and connect passes rather than just acting in and around the box.
Alongside João Paulo and behind Lodeiro, it seems the Sounders have unlocked some new skills in Rusnák. Against NYCFC he completed 65 of 68 passes, was 5/5 on long balls, had 10 returns and even won 3/4 duels.
“Albert is a smart footballer,” said Schmetzer, thanking assistant coach Freddy Juarez for vouching for Rusnák’s potentially overlooked skills. “Based on what he did on goal, based on some of his reads, based on the tenacity that Freddy spoke to me about and saw while coaching him at RSL…
“I would probably be offended if someone said Albert can only play as a 10 or as a winger who can tuck in, he’s got more than that.”
Even better, this might just scratch the surface. This was the first game the Sounders had played with this front six all year and logic suggests that as they gain understanding among themselves they will get better. Notably, the Sounders beat their CCL opponents 12-2 without scoring a single goal from Raul Ruidíaz.
“You can only see the tip of the iceberg when the boys are healthy again,” said Schmetzer. “Now with everyone in place, I think you’re going to see a little bit of how this team is going to become what it is. I think we have a lot of talented players.”
As exciting as it all was, the Sounders were quick to brake when they got too far ahead. The chatter has already begun that they represent MLS’ best opportunity yet to finally win that elusive title and there seems to be some chatter even in Mexico that Seattle’s tournament is losing.
Schmetzer had none of it, especially with a massive second leg next week. For NYCFC to overcome this deficit, they would only have to win 2-0.
“What I told them in the locker room is that it’s not over, it’s not over against New York City FC,” Schmetzer said. “We still have to give ourselves every chance to even get to the final and Pumas and Cruz Azul are good teams. Then we talk about the next phase. Right now we are concentrating on one more game against New York City FC.”