Realio’s Ratings: If you can’t stand the heat
After a slow start, the Sounders have stabilized and begun to surge up the standings. Last weekend, Seattle started a three-match road trip in Houston and came away with their fourth win in the last five matches. The 3-1 comprehensive win was aided by a game-defining referee decision before half, but it was Seattle’s decisive play directly after halftime that put this match away. This burst of offense saw dynamic wide play and brilliant movement in the box as the Sounders got six and seven attackers into the area to create and finish chances. A few hiccups on defending led to a closer game than necessary, but this level of quality play on the road should never be taken for granted.
Houston Heat: Unbeaten in five matches, Seattle is finding diverse ways to win games at home and on the road, getting solid defense and explosive offense from a wide range of options. Against the Houston Dynamo, they forced a referee decision to eject a player, and then blew the match open with waves of potent attack.
Seattle Chill: Seattle won’t always get that sort of call, and the team must work on set piece defense if they want to keep positive momentum moving forward.
Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny. Seattle continues to add nuance to their team, getting multiple wingers on line while solidifying their defensive core to limit opponent opportunities. The key challenges going forward will be finding the best combination of these parts and navigating the inevitable adversity.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 7 | Community – 7.5
Frei didn’t have many actions in this match (three saves) but the ones he was forced into were huge, and he kept the team on the front foot while Houston had chances to keep the match close. After gaining the lead, Stef was all business, booting long consistently and not taking any chances.
Houston Heat: The game was not over in the 60th minute, but Frei made sure that he slammed the door shut on any Houston hope for a shorthanded comeback; he made a fantastic save, diving to his right to paw away a goalbound header.
Seattle Chill: Stef has seemingly been glued to his line this season. Yet another goal was scored where he could have proactively punched away a dangerous free kick instead of hanging back and retroactively trying to stop a point blank shot from three feet away.
Weather Forecast: Frei’s reactions are still elite. Managing the defense and playing around any lack of mobility are important; being a freak athlete able to jump four feet to the side in a millisecond is still going to take this team a long way.
Defense
Nouhou – 6 | Community – 6.9
Coming off a dominant match on both sides of the field, Nouhou reverted to the norm, playing well but not spectacularly, content to let the game come to him instead of forcing himself into the picture. He had an excellent 98 percent pass completion rate, making good choices and connecting to teammates all match.
Houston Heat: Seattle struggled all evening with set pieces, and a free kick in the 7th minute prompted a lunging clearance from Nouhou to save a big chance for the home team.
Seattle Chill: While his passing percentage was phenomenal, a number of them (such as an 11th minute ball to Kim Kee-hee, and a cross in the 50th minute) either put teammates under undue pressure or weren’t quite up to the standards we now expect.
Weather Forecast: Nouhou isn’t expected to jump start the offense every match, but it’s worth noting that his communication with Ryan Kent is excellent, and that bodes well for Seattle’s left side.
Kim Kee-hee – 6 | Community – 6.8
KKH continues to start and to anchor a solid defense that’s difficult to score on. Against Houston they allowed 15 shots, but big chances were limited. With 76 touches and 93 percent passing, Kim stayed central and cleanly moved the ball to teammates. He had two tackles and three clearances, including an essential header on a set piece.
Houston Heat: A beautiful pass in first half extra time put Moose in behind and is the kind of vision and connection from the back that have been largely missing with Jackson Ragen injured. While not as frequent, KKH can and does make these passes.
Seattle Chill: An 11th minute turnover was after a rough entry pass from Nouhou. It was one of a number of risky passes that Kee-hee has taken and gotten away with in recent weeks across the middle.
Weather Forecast: Seattle is playing better all over the field, but credit must be given to Kim for how well he’s stepped in and solidified the Sounders’ defensive posture.
Yeimar – 6 | Community – 6.3 (off 55’ for Bell)
Yeimar started in his customary right center back position and had three clearances and two tackles with his 51 touches. His 82 percent passing wasn’t as clean as many teammates, mostly due to a dismal 1/7 on crosses and inability to consistently connect with Paul Rothrock up the right wing.
Houston Heat: Not known for his passing, Yeimar has had some impressive vertical balls this year that have directly contributed to goals. Against Houston, at the start of the second half, his beautifully weighted direct through ball into the box found Pedro de la Vega and eventually the back of the net, earning Yeimar a secondary assist.
Seattle Chill: A 34th minute yellow card put a bit of a damper on his match, and after Kim’s in first half stoppage time, both Seattle central defenders were on cautions. This likely influenced Yeimar’s early exit.
Weather Forecast: Yeimar shows a few signs of age but remains a fantastic defender. With this rotation, he may be in line for a lot more time during this busy week of matches.
Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.2
Alex was quietly very efficient, with 69 touches, a key pass, two shots, and 92 percent passing. He also led the match with six tackles and four clearances, showing an excellent ability to defend while still impacting the offense. This calm defense was excellent in the 90th minute to see out the final score.
Houston Heat: A brilliant backheel was just enough of a touch to put PDLV in on goal right after the second half kick off, an essential run that held a defender and got a teammate in clean en route to a game-winning goal.
Seattle Chill: An open 12th minute volley via a lovely Ryan Kent cross from the end line was all wrong, ending up in the stands. Alex has the skill to hit that shot.
Weather Forecast: Alex does what he’s asked to do, and does it fairly well. Having competition at this spot is good for the team.
Defensive Midfield
Cristian Roldan – 8 | Community – 7.6
Once again Cristian was fantastic, especially in the first half. He was repeatedly the difference in the match, both defensively and getting the ball forward for Seattle. His team-high 99 touches weren’t wasted, and he completed 95 percent of his passes while leading the team in progressive connections.
Houston Heat: Roldan again did it all, winning a team-high 10 duels, having two shots, and a key pass, leading the midfield on both sides of the ball, and making sure Seattle was dominant.
Seattle Chill: Both defensive midfielders struggled to match up with Houston’s size on set pieces, and it was Cristian who was beaten on a flick header in the 60th minute that needed some Frei heroics to keep the lead a comfortable two goals.
Weather Forecast: Seattle is flying, due in no small part to Roldan’s great work. Cristian has played a ton already this season (every match but one) and hopefully will get to rest at some point this week.
Obed Vargas – 6 | Community – 6.8
Obed had a solid match in the middle, combining with Cristian to be the buffer between the back four and the attackers, but he had a less impactful match going forward. His 90 percent passing was excellent and helped Seattle hold possession through the middle, especially prior to the red card. His single touch in the box was a far cry from the eight in the last match, showing how little he got into advanced areas.
Houston Heat: A beautiful pass over the top to a vertical Kent run was a wow moment, finding a flip pass that showed how creative and capable Obed can be when released to connect with offensive movement.
Seattle Chill: Seattle constantly struggled on set pieces, and many times it was Vargas who was getting run by, jumped over, and routinely beaten. He was beaten on the goal in the 32nd minute and was a liability on nearly every dead ball.
Weather Forecast: Obed was okay against Houston, but he excels when he can combine going forward to outplay the opposing midfielders with his agility and direct vision.
Attacking Midfield
Ryan Kent – 7 | Community – 7.8 (off 66’ for Minoungou)
Kent got his first start for Seattle. He took a little time to heat up, but still showed incredible game-breaking talent. This added up to 45 touches, a shot and an assist, and a clear direct style of play that produced consistent opportunities for teammates.
Houston Heat: Kent takes every inch the opponent gives him, forcing them to make mistakes. He did this in the 58th minute, running downhill at defenders and daring them to step at him. When they hesitated he just kept going until he was nearly in on goal, before smoothly sliding an inviting pass over for Albert Rusnák to easily finish.
Seattle Chill: Despite clearly being very fit, Kent struggled on defense, losing out on some physical duels. He caused the foul that produced Houston’s lone goal.
Weather Forecast: Kent’s ability to glide past defenders without appearing to work hard is incredible, and he looks like a game-breaking talent who creates tremendous chances for teammates every time out.
Albert Rusnák – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 8.2 (MOTM) (off 66’ for Ferreira)
Rusnák started centrally with willing runners around him and did a great job finding teammates throughout the match, connecting passes and importantly going 5/5 on long balls, stretching the field and adding space to the midfield.
Houston Heat: Both of Albert’s goals were created by him making perfect supporting runs and taking calm finishes to score twice and put the match out of reach. He also added two key passes and provided exactly what you want from a DP, both on the field and on the scoresheet. He took over the game and essentially ended any comeback ideas.
Seattle Chill: While other teams are dominating Seattle on set pieces, Albert and company can’t seem to replicate this success. Free kicks often have nifty routines, but have rarely been dangerous on goal.
Weather Forecast: Albert reads the game very well and his movement and connection with teammates is exceptional. It’s one of the reasons the team is clicking right now, with multiple pieces morphing around the field in support of each other’s dynamic movement.
Paul Rothrock – 6 | Community – 6.5 (off 46’ for PDLV)
Paul lost his left winger starting spot but gained the right side job and brought effort and drive up the right, balancing out the wings as Seattle was able to play vertically on both sidelines. Rothrock earned only 25 touches and 84 percent passing, and the Sounders weren’t able to leverage the right side as effectively as the left.
Houston Heat: For the second match in a row, Paul’s aggressiveness made good stuff happen for Seattle. This time he surged forward on a long clearance and dialed up a deflected cross that went exactly where he intended, in the net via Moose’s noggin.
Seattle Chill: Outside of that deflected cross, Paul wasn’t effective in his half of play. He had no successful dribbles and only won one of his four duels. Seattle didn’t create offense up his side.
Weather Forecast: There is a role for Paul’s brand of hustle that continues to earn results, but more creative wingers are pushing themselves up the depth chart with eye-catching play.
Forward
Danny Musovski – 7 | Community – 7.4 (off 79’ for De Rosario)
With Jordan Morris out, it was again Musovski who got the start on the road in Houston. Not a ball dominant player, this was a quiet match for Danny who only had 19 touches. He converted one into a goal and did his job the rest of the night, which often meant occupying multiple defenders so Seattle players could glide free in the box for big chances.
Houston Heat: The Moose got loose in the 22nd minute, finding his only shot of the match and doing exactly what you want him to do with it. Drifting away from the defender and adjusting well to a deflected cross, Danny finished clean to give Seattle an early lead.
Seattle Chill: An unnecessary yellow card was part of an altercation near the corner flag and gave the referee an opportunity to even the teams up, had he wanted to.
Weather Forecast: For the fifth match in a row it was Musovski with his name on the scoresheet, and he continues to be in the right place to do the right things.
Substitutes
Pedro de la Vega – 6 | Community – 7.2 (on 46’ for Rothrock)
Pedro was released from the doghouse to start the second half and immediately showed impact. He ended his 45 minutes with a pretty statline: 31 touches, 95 percent passing, two shots, two key passes and an assist.
Houston Heat: Motivated by not starting, Pedro immediately dove into the box and got on the end of a flicked Yeimar through ball in the 46th minute. Looking up and finding the open space, de la Vega played a well-weighted ball to Rusnák to give Seattle a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Seattle Chill: Neither of his shots were considered on frame (one blocked), and after that initial explosive goal-creating play, Pedro faded from the match, failing to create similar opportunities for the team.
Weather Forecast: Pedro is rounding into form and shows how little space he needs to make something happen.
Jon Bell – 5 | Community – 6.1 (on 55’ for Yeimar)
Once again Bell earned playing time at the Yeimar substitution, and once again he helped his team hold onto a result that was well in hand. He was very active in his extended runout, earning 38 touches.
Houston Heat: Bell’s 96 percent passing from the back meant Seattle didn’t lose a beat with him on the field. He also provided a nice 56th minute over-the-top pass and excellent clearance in the 78th.
Seattle Chill: Seattle looked disorganized on a few occasions while defending set pieces and in buildout, with Bell not entirely on the same page as teammates.
Weather Forecast: Having a player like Jon who can come in and fit almost seamlessly on the backline is a luxury for Seattle, especially as they hit a congested week.
Georgi Minoungou – 5 | Community – 5.9 (on 66’ for Kent)
Minoungou came in for the minutes-conscious Kent, and immediately started to deal his own brand of dribbling torture against Houston. Four of his 18 touches came in the box, and he was 2/2 on dribbling as he ran directly at the defense and forced the issue.
Houston Heat: An 87th minute 1-v-1 run earned Minoungou a jaunt into the box and he dialed up his own number, forcing a save after yet another ridiculous solo effort.
Seattle Chill: Jesús Ferreira put him through in the 74th minute, and Georgi needed to take an extra touch to take advantage of that brilliant pass. An 83rd minute foul was unnecessary.
Weather Forecast: Subbing on Georgi for Kent should be illegal; the amount of stress these two can cause the opponent’s outside backs is shameful.
Jesús Ferreira – 5 | Community – 5.9 (on 66’ for Rusnák)
Returning from injury, Jesús joined the team midway through the second half and looked sharp in combining with teammates and controlling the central areas. He turned 22 touches into two key passes and completed every single pass attempt.
Houston Heat: A 74th minute vertical through ball to a streaking Minoungou was a wow moment, the kind of line-breaking pass that deserved much more from the other end.
Seattle Chill: This was a quiet outing as Seattle was unable to add to their lead with a man advantage.
Weather Forecast: Many people are sleeping on Ferreira, but he showed in limited action the creative ability that teammates should pay attention to.
Osaze De Rosario – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 79’ for Musovski)
Newly signed De Rosario spelled the goal scoring Moose again, this time earning a little more field time. He looked very strong for much of his time, showing some great upside.
Houston Heat: An excellent 87th minute holdup play again displayed this underrated talent. Osaze’s ability to control the ball with his back to goal and bring in teammates is excellent.
Seattle Chill: An 84th minute yellow card foul was unnecessary, and it forced Frei into a save as yet another free kick was dangerous against Seattle.
Weather Forecast: Everything points to a solid signing as ODR looks the part in limited minutes so far this season.
Referee
Victor Rivas – 5 | Community – 5.1
After the last match, everyone was likely hoping for a mellow game that didn’t feature the referee but alas, we weren’t so lucky. This match was hotly contested, with an even 24 fouls called but four yellows for Seattle offset by two for Houston and a massive red card decision that changed the match.
Houston Heat: Giving a 10th minute yellow card was something other refs rarely do, and ultimately the red card looks to have been the right call. Having the guts to make a call like that and then not ref too hard to the score must have been hard!
Seattle Chill: Some no calls, a failure to whistle for obstruction, and Artur constantly slamming various Roldan brothers without repercussion all happened before the red situation and were all failings from the referee. No yellow when Rusnák was clearly fouled to stop a break and a random goal kick given/AR missing a blatant out of bounds summed up an imperfect refereeing job.
Weather Forecast: I wouldn’t want that red given against my defense. I haven’t seen a definitive angle showing the play, but if it’s a hand ball I understand the call. It’s like whiplash from last week’s hand ball shout, though, and that made the game feel weird.
Houston Dynamo MOTM
For the third match in a row, a dead ball man takes the opposing Man of the Match award. Credit where credit is due, but also, maybe the Sounders should give up fewer set pieces, and/or defend them better. This time around, it was Jack McGlynn providing dangerous service on three occasions, including the then-tying goal in the 32nd minute.
Upcoming: We’ve got three of nine potential points on this road trip. Let’s go get the other six.