That was an awful way to end the season, but it's hard to ignore that road playoff games are a crap shoot and the Sounders were on the road primarily because they put more into their 3 other competitions than they put into the regular season. Some reflections on their 2025-

On the one hand, the season is over. On the other hand, the dumbest game ever is also finally over so we have that going for us.

The unwritten rules around soccer are so funny. Sub a defender out so Ruidiaz can take a PK in a shootout, and no one would think to say coach is not “showing confidence” in his defender. But do the same obviously beneficial thing for a goalkeeper, and it’s a supposed to be a scandal?

I really wish Schmetzer didn’t have a habit of making me annoyed at Sounders legends in their twilight years by stubbornly playing them when they have no business being on the field.

Incredible that after Miami embarrasses the whole league, the only one to receive a significant punishment is Steven Lenhart.

What an incredible game for Vargas. Also this. Sounders!

You’ll notice he steps on Gene’s foot so he can’t step away. Again, one of the most despicable and disgusting things I’ve ever seen happen on a soccer pitch.

Georgi winning the PK and Paul bringing the house down at the end is storybook stuff. Two of the easiest guys to root for in the world.

Suarez and Busquets harassing and punching Obed Vargas after the final whistle for pocketing Messi all game is such bush league nonsense. Couldn’t catch up to him all game so they had to get him after.

There was a time that I would have been so excited if Luis Suarez had become a Sounder, and although he would have undoubtedly scored a couple hundred goals here, I’m glad he never joined. He doesn’t belong in a Sounders jersey.

In a rare bit of soccer justice, the Sounders were the best team in the tournament and get to host Messi in the final with 69k Sounders fans behind them.

I contain multitudes. I am very happy that the Sounders have a productive academy. I wish they would also add more talent when they have ample opportunity to do so. These things are not contradictory. Making the most of all opportunities is how teams win trophies.

The Sounders are 13th in PPG and one Cristian Roldan hammy away from disaster, but the summer window goes by with 3 u22 spots left empty. Cool. Leagues Cup or bust I guess.

I think it’s heartwarming that Georgi would pay tribute to Sounders great Leo Chu by getting himself sent off for taking his shirt off and likely relegating himself to the bench for the foreseeable future.

A Puskás-level goal deserves Baker Street

Cinema. 🎥

If you wondered whether the Sounders had the mental edge in this match, this is Jesus Ferreira celebrating a 7th goal in the 91st minute. They remembered that disastrous match in CCC, the fouls, the injuries, and they were out for blood tonight. Statement made.

Pedro de la Vega, my word. Go Sounders

7-0

Nothing to see here, Miami have a certificate.

If we were wondering whether the Sounders would come out of the CWC looking sharper and more confident vs MLS, I think we have our answer. They have intensity for half a game, then mental and physical fatigue sets in. Without midfield reinforcements for Cristian and Obed, it’ll get worse.

This is a Save of the Year worthy goal line clearance from Alex Roldan. HOW?

This is a well-argued critique of the Sounders’ current play style. They’ve struggled to adjust without Morris as a true 9. Playing true wingers while also opting for slower, more cautious possession means they lack both verticality and direct goal scoring from out wide.

Crazy to think that Sounders ownership would agree that the club has leveraged a league-leading analytics department and scouting department to an incredible record of transfer success, and yet ownership's plan for the future is to tank the budget and not utilize them to make big purchases. Nuts.

Looking back, a good showing. Sounders played respectable, competitive ball and Obed/Reed upped their stock. With Yeimar/JMo, maybe they get a win. Now the massive question- will ownership spend at a level needed to get this team back to a Club World Cup, or were those ambitions one-and-done?

Honestly, pretty good so far. Quality goals in each game, stayed competitive in both, and Obed and RBW have both had great moments.

I only want two things from the Club World Cup. 1. Obed and/or Pedro to have a good performance against one of the big clubs so that Craig gets higher quality phone calls. 2. A Sounder scoring on Atletico or PSG. Even just one goal will do. Don't get shut out. I need that highlight clip to exist.

It's going great, y'all 🫣

Your club: weak, CCC failures, vulnerable to poison and disease My club: strong, CCL Champions, been building immunity to exotic ailments for years

I get that Adrian Hanauer would be pissed that the players would stage a protest without first bringing their grievances to him privately. But it’s also true that the players have been talking about this publicly for weeks. Nothing was stopping Adrian from going downstairs to talk to the players.

The lesson will begin with a brief statistics refresher before explaining the concept of expected goals. Should be a blast!

The Sounders’ secret superpower the last few years has been a starting CB pairing that was seemingly always available and playing at a best 11 level. We’re gonna see just how difficult it is to function without them.

The Galaxy kinda got screwed on this one, because at this harsh angle, I have no idea if Pec was actually offside. Thinking that this was clear and obvious is a trick of the camera angle. It's really, really close. LAFC bailed out.

Schmetzer is such a breath of fresh air. Control the controllables. Be realistic. Don't use moaning about referees to distract from ways that the team can be better.

Ryan Kent is a PROBLEM

The handball rule is so ridiculously broken. Arm outstretched blocking a goal and no ref can be sure if it’s a handball.

Brian Schmetzer’s best trait might be that he isn’t incessantly whining about referees.

Ryan Kent might be really fun for the Sounders

I think I’m good with the no red here. Antony gets stepped on, but I don’t think the player in possession should be punished with a red when a defender throws a late leg into his follow-through.

The #1 question with this type of signing is whether or not the player is going to take MLS, and their chance for a fresh start, seriously. This is a great sign for sure.

Another draw for Sounders, but hopefully a lesson finally learned that Cristian shouldn’t be out wide and direct attacking wide options make this whole attack function better. I still wonder if Ferreira could be successful up top, but you have to admit he’s looked better back a line, creating.

Adrian going on stage to honor Nico in front of all the trophies Nico won, then watching his squad draw 0-0 at home to the ghost of the Houston Dynamo in front of 20 something thousand people... I don't know, maybe Adrian should take a hint from his own past successes and shop for big DPs again.

Embarrassing for the Sounders attack. Shut out at home against a skeleton defense that lost their CB and 2nd string keeper mid game. For all the talk of depth, who steps up if Jordan Morris isn't on the field?

Miss you, Nico Lodeiro

Love you Georgi

Happy March

Ok yeah, this again.

Georgi should just keep dribbling forward until he dribbles it into the net IMO. No real reason to pass