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Remember those conversations back in late April about how packed the schedule was? Nine games in 32 days it was to be a proving ground. Sure, the Seattle Sounders are 4-1-1 +5 two-thirds of the way through that stretch, but come on, are we really going to ignore the 0-1-1 -1 in the last two? The team is struggling right now. The greatest defense in the history of MLS gave up three goals to Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps? It's pretty bad right?
There's an easy solution though? I'm back. Clearly my not being able to watch the last two matches, nor blog much over the past two weeks is the reason. Every early May my non-soccer schedule gets packed with 8 birthdays (and Mother's Day) in 8 days. This year a wedding in a place where I was lucky to have even standard phone access was added on to my schedule. Clearly this is why Seattle is struggling. It's my fault. On Saturday night (I was in New York) I couldn't even wear Sounders garb. My suit was simple black coat, white shirt, brown pants and silver tie. How could I think that the Sounders would beat a Cascadia rival wearing that?
Don't get all logically on me.
Don't point out that Seattle faced teams now rated third and tenth by Sagarin in a overall schedule that is rated 19th. Don't point out that the defense is likely regressing to its mean and never was going to set an MLS record outshining the best by allowing 10 fewer goals on the season than that No. 1 defense did.
Since my wife's birthday Eddie Johnson played in three games. The team went 1-1-1 +1 in the stretch. He tallied a goal and two assists combining with Fredy Montero on a lot of those. Dammit, that's my fault too.
Don't get all logically on me.
I have influence on the results. These are not superstitions.