Yes, I’m old enough to remember Jesús Ferreira playing at center forward for the Seattle Sounders. It was another lifetime really – back when the team seemed to mired in dire, destined to fail.
They shifted plans. They went on a run. Once again poised to grab a home playoff game if things go well they have to go back to Plan A. This time we’ll call it Plan C though.
Danny Musovski apparently re-aggravated a muscle injury, got a cortisone shot yesterday and is questionable. Schmetzer said Ferreira may start at 9 regardless. Jackson Ragen also won’t be available as they hope to get him for next two.
— Jeremiah Oshan (@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com) 2025-05-23T18:49:41.708Z
This time Jesús Ferreira at forward will work.
Why? Because Dallas is the opposite of Portland, while kind of being Portland. They’re bad at possession. They give up a lot of long-range shots, while being bad at defending them.
Additionally Seattle is at home, where they remain undefeated in all competitions in 2025. Sounders are also undefeated at home against Dallas in their last 20 all-competition matches.
Let’s tune into why Ferreira is going to do better if he’s the center forward. In the past he hadn’t been paired with skill players on the wings (no offense to Georgi and Paulie, but they aren’t Pedro and Ryan). His top three joint goal contributors in his career are players who were mostly right wingers when playing with him.
Somehow, Jesús is almost a goal short of his xG. That somehow is because he's taken so few shots and is still underperforming at 0.75 xG per ASA. His per-shot xG is good, which means his problem isn’t with taking the right shots. His problem has been with shooting at all.
It won’t hurt that he’s finally getting to experience the summer-ish weather in Seattle. Across sports there’s a tradition of slow transitions from new signings to the region that frequently get blamed on the lack of sun (see Mariners baseball especially).
Plan to arrive earlier than you would for a noon start. It is going to be busy in SoDo.
I had originally been a little dismissive of the possible impact of a 7:30 concert at T-Mobile on a noon kickoff at Lumen, but drove past today and there are already hundreds of people lined up for the Stray Kids concert. Planning accordingly.
— Jeremiah Oshan (@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com) 2025-05-23T21:08:29.116Z
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, May 24 vs. FC Dallas | 12 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
The Stray Kids concert at T-Mobile Park will impact parking and general crowding in SoDo.
- Opposition scouting report: FC Dallas
- Under The Lights: Can the Seattle Sounders beat FC Dallas again?
- Club World Cup ticket prices are finally dropping
- Is there a fight looming over Club World Cup bonuses?
- Realio’s Ratings: Call him Cascadia Cristian
- Sounders not quite satisfied with four-point road trip
- What should we be expecting from Jesús Ferreira?
- Lobbing Scorchers: The Most INSANE Seattle Sounders Rivalry Week
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Friday, May 23 vs. Washington Spirit | 7 pm PT | Prime Video
The Stray Kids concert at T-Mobile Park will impact parking and general crowding in SoDo.
- Match preview: Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit
- Claudia Dickey signs contract extension through 2028
- The Cooler Guild: Ope, another win
- Valkyratings: Take the three points and run
Defiance
Next match: Sunday, May 25 vs. North Texas SC | 7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Mexico’s lower divisions are suing to get pro-rel brought back. The system is supposed to come back after a five-year pause, but some clubs aren’t convinced the federation wants that.
Once upon a time Japan’s pro league played in the summer. Then they flipped schedules leaned into community and regularly in the top 3 of the club rankings in the AFC. Can MLS learn from that process?
There’s a rumor that the Sounders are going to sign a European U21 defensive mid, which would be really weird because they already have two U21 defensive mids after getting rid of two other U21 defensive mids. If you're in the Discord you already saw Jeremiah shoot this down saying the primary efforts are towards a center forward. If you aren't in the Discord you should be. It’s one of being a Supporter.
London City Lionesses went into the DMs to recruit a player. Now they’re paying a fine.
Tired: Launching an NWSL team with a new urban stadium
Wired? Launching one year in the exurbs and then moving to the urban stadium?
Yeah, that’s what Boston whatever they are called are doing.
Angel City is a splashy, star-studded lifestyle brand. Is it ready to be a good soccer team? Betteridge's law hits Angel City.
NWSL’s DeMelo reveals she has hyperthyroidism (ESPN)
I’m starting up a new D&D campaign that will meet infrequently. Here’s what it’s about.
