A good game between two teams has put Seattle Sounders still on top of the wild west and as well as Supporters shield contention. The Seattle Sounders tied with LAFC 1-1, steam rolled past LA Galaxy in a 3-0 win at home, went to our biggest rivals house and taught Portland a lesson with a 2-1 victory away from home and won a tight game that would've ended differently, but luckily the Seattle Sounders proved everyone who's in charge of the Western Conference. From the goals of Ruidiaz to the clutch saves from Frei and Alex Roldan, the team never looked as great and wonderful!
Brian Schmetzer and company has proved once again that too never doubt the team. He's been outspoken about how his team performs and doesn't hold back on critiquing his own teams performance. Under his time with the Seattle Sounders in the MLS as a head coach he has managed to win two MLS Cups as well as making it to the last 4 out of 5 MLS Championship game. His regular MLS season statistics out of the 140 games he has coached he has won 70, draw 34 and only lost 36 games, giving him his PPG at 1.74! Late last year I thought maybe he lacked having different tactics but he's made the team turn around.
The game against LAFC ended as a draw but it showcased what the team needed to do to improve. We shouldn't lie to ourselves, Im obviously not a LAFC fan but the team is a beast in the league and it's great to see that as part of competition because now we know Seattle has the power and has had the power to be bigger and better than LAFC. Brad Smith became a saint with a goal to tie it 1-1, Josh Atencio showing great potential and still without the Sounders legend, Nico Lodeiro.
Following game had us against the other LA team, this time winning 3-0 at home. The brace from Raul Ruidiaz and another goal from Brad Smith put the Sounders on top of the Supporters shield contention, proving us once again the Sounders are out to win it all. Although it's one of our rivals, it was pretty cool to hear Chicharito giving praise to Seattle. The Sounders kept the dubs coming along with two road games against Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes.
The Sounders would play against their Cascadia rivals, the Portland Timbers, in a match where Shane O'Neill penalty against the timbers would give the Sounders a wake up call, once with Nouhou for encroachment and the other in which Diego Valeri scores an illegal goal. Then to turn things around the Sounders won a penalty, Ruidiaz scores. A set piece would come in later with a solid header on goal from none other than fan-favorite Fredy Montero. Timbers' Tuiloma would score a meaner set piece, only to lose to Seattle at home 2-1.
Sounders would go on down south in San Jose against Matias Almeyda and company. The match would begin controversial after a penalty was awarded for the Earthquakes only to be overturned as no hand ball. Minutes later Cristian Roldan would score a golazo to make it 1-0, Seattle would win but it would cost the likes of Stefan Frei with a knee injury and Jordy Delems season ending injury as well. The unlikely hero of the match was none other than Alex Roldan, who stepped into goal for the final moments of the game to keep his very first clean sheet as a goalkeeper!
The following game would be another test against conference rivals LAFC, a game where would soar the Sounders past everyone even further on the Supporters Shield standings. Stefan Cleveland stepped in for Stefan Frei, making some great saves and earning his first clean sheet of the season. The defence were really crucial on containing the Arguably one of the most lethal attacking front in the league. Xavier Arreaga scored a goal for the first time as a Sounders player and also giving a great defensive performance. Seattle put up a great display of dominance against LAFC 2-0 from goals Xavi Arreaga and Brad Smith. Next game is against Atlanta United this upcoming Sunday, don't miss out! Should be a very interesting game!
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