How Much Sound Can They Make – A Sounders Preview

Yesterday’s 3-1-win vs Antigua GFC in Guatemala marked the sounders first regulation win of the new season. The finish to last years season was whelming to say the least. Going to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2020 and losing on a late goal to the eventual MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy was sad to say the least but the response to last years season was a strong response and a step in the right direction.

               Craig Waibel’s now 3^rd season as Sounders General Manager seems to be going in a steady and good direction. The moves this offseason marked a new era for the sounders as they parted ways with 2019 MLS Cup Champion and Club goals leader Raul Ruidiaz after a rough past few years filled with injuries and lackluster playing time. In response the sounders opened a DP spot that was filled by the contract extension of Albert Rusnak and Jordan Morris leaving the sounders with 3 full designated player spots. Also, we saw the departure of 2023 season stud but lack luster 2024 season winger Leo Chu. The Brazilian U22 player seemed to be a head case and not fit for the team’s direction, and he has left the club since then. This off season also so the departure of Josh Atencio who was promising CDM and possible CB option this season, but the sounders got quite the haul in return for him. A deal to good to pass up

               In addition, Waibel brought in winger and MLS tenured veteran Paul Arriola and USMNT striker Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas in the Leo Chu exchange. As long with this we see the return of a fan favorite Kim Kee-Hee returning to be a depth piece center back. These moves don’t seem to be super special, but they do seem to fill holes and replace aging injury prone players like Raul Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro with some younger and more well-rounded options. Arriola and Ferreira got off to a fast start last night notching their first Sounders assists and goals in the first 5 minutes of the match vs Antigua FC with an Arriola goal fed by a Ferreira assist. These moves seem like they are going to pay dividends for the sounders this year as the lack of scoring was a real problem last season with the leagues best defense.

Let’s Talk About Last Night

               Last night the Sounders looked pretty good overall. They started fast and scored one within the first 5 minutes of the game. This is something I like to see from us this year and that’s starting fast as a quick goal is going to open the game up for us and give us a little bit of cushion to let the offense work. Something that I feel last year we didn’t have during every game. They looked a little shaky towards the end of the half giving up a goal and having some weird defensive moments but that is sure to come with the new season and in a hostile environment. However, the second half looked great with PDLV (Pedro De La Vega) getting an amazing goal and I found it very refreshing to see a Sounder shoot and score from outside the box again. Not much for me to say about the second half but towards the end of the game Rusnak finished the game for us putting one in the back of the net and that was something I think were going to see a lot this season after he had a breakthrough season last year.

This Season – High Expectations

               I feel like the expectations are simple this year for the sounders. Starting with the offense and attack and that’s expecting them to get better. It was mediocre last year at times where the if the defense gave up one goal we were capped at a draw for the match unless we got some luck. That needs to change and with our new additions and depth in the attack I think the Sounders will improve greatly in that facet. We’re looking at 4 forwards that can do damage for the Sounders this year being Pedro De La Vega, Jordan Morris, Jesus Ferreira, Paul Rothrock, and maybe a 5^th with Georgi Minoungou who is a promising attacker. The offense should improve from the 51 goals in MLS play to hopefully 60+ this season.

               For the defense it might be tough to improve after having the best defense in the MLS with only allowing 35. Barring any injuries I think the defense should be able to keep this number roughly the same and below 40 for the MLS side of the campaign. They are something the team can count on, and I don’t see anything to be problem with them.

I think that this team is a contender for not just the MLS Cup but also a contender for CONCACAF Champions League. As the only MLS team to win the CCL it would be nice to snag another CCL before the rest of the league can do the same. I think that this team is really built for a long season with a lot of good depth at every position. I think there isn’t really a weak spot this year. I mean we do lack a prolific striker which would be nice but for the most part I think Morris and Ferreira will the get the job done and be able to work with our solid midfield and wingers to get a good offensive attack going most games. This team looks destined for a good run in the CCL and come Playoff time a good run at the MLS Cup. I personally think that this team is going to finish in the Top 2 of the Western Conference this year and Top 5 in Supporter Shield rankings. We finally conquered our demons of LAFC last season in the Playoffs and I think it is about time we ascend back to the top of the MLS. This is probably the strongest roster since we won CCL in 2022, but we all saw how that went… A top 2 finish in the Western Conference and at least going to the Western Conference Finals coupled with a CCL semifinal or better result is more than possible. I think this season is going to be an exciting one and we should be a contender for MLS Cup in the league’s 30^th season.