For a half at least, the Seattle Sounders were in a league of their own against Sporting Kansas City. Their performance was dominant, showcasing fluidity, tactical prowess, and clinical finishing. They moved the ball with purpose, and every player seemed to be on the same page. However, the narrative shifted at halftime: some tactical changes led to a stilted second half performance, and the tough road environment and hot weather started to take their toll on Seattle. The seemingly insurmountable 3-0 advantage from the first half began to erode. What unfolded in the second half, and especially in the final ten minutes, was a textbook example of self-destruction. Mistakes had been almost non-existent in the first 45, but started to creep into the mix. The team began to unravel via defensive miscommunications, poor choices on the ball, and an inability to adapt to poor refereeing. As a result, SKC had way too many chances to steal a point. Sounders again found themselves on the wrong end of a red card decision – a baffling issue that continues to plague the team and undermine their efforts. Despite the chaotic and embarrassing display in the second half, Seattle somehow escaped with a 3-2 road win. The game served as a microcosm of the team’s current state: immense potential, with numerous highs to build upon, followed by too many frustrating and embarrassing lows from which they must, absolutely must, learn. The road ahead demands introspection and a focus on composure under pressure, especially when faced with adversity.
Benefit of the doubt: We saw it. Maybe only for a half, but we saw how a full-throttle Sounders team could play together. With suffocating defense, a dominant midfield, creative wide play, and direct finishing, Seattle showed some of “what could be” for this roster.
Doubt: And then it all came crashing down. This seemingly fragile team made a few tactical changes and suddenly the errors snowballed. If they hadn’t built a 3-0 lead, this match could have been a complete disaster.
Goalkeeper
Andrew Thomas – 6 | Community – 6.7
Thomas started in place of the injured Stefan Frei and earned a win. It wasn’t always pretty, but when Seattle was directly challenged, his ability to cover the goal meant SKC’s shots had to be perfect. Andrew only conceded via penalty kicks, and he was solid the rest of the match, which included six saves. His distribution is thunderously powerful, but he needs to add finesse, with many turnovers happening out of the back.
Benefit of the doubt: Filling in for Frei and getting a road win is a great start. Thomas looks the part and the team seemed comfortable with him back there, making Stefan’s quick return less critical.
Doubt: That wasn’t a great team Seattle was playing against, and the small spills and missed distributions are things most every other team in the league will make Thomas regret.
Defense
Nouhou – 3 | Community – 2.9
At one point, Nouhou was playing fine. His defense was solid, he had a dozen defensive actions and 85 percent passing. His offensive contribution allowed Paul Rothrock to work instead of constantly getting in his way. Nobody dribbled past him, and his seven clearances were crucial in holding onto the lead. None of that matters, as Nouhou got another red card. An insane, yet sadly unsurprising action meant he subbed himself off again and hurt his team in a crucial moment.
Benefit of the doubt: This game was reffed so poorly that Seattle was in “just hold on” mode and everyone was frustrated. Maybe none of that had to happen if the center ref could have controlled the game.
Doubt: Who are we kidding? Nouhou can’t keep it together, he’s a clear detriment to the team, and lately he isn’t doing enough good stuff to offset his incredibly poor decision making.
Jonathan Bell – 6 | Community – 5.8
Bell started next to Jackson Ragen and they did a solid job of holding down one-way traffic in both halves, facilitating the forward play in the first half and hanging on defensively as the tide turned in the second. He had five clearances, 91 percent passing, and some dangerous offensive header attempts on set pieces, adding a little bite to an anemic Sounders dead ball offense.
Benefit of the doubt: After some rocky performances, Bell showed against SKC that he could be a solid defensive option off the bench or in a deputized start.
Doubt: There was a stark difference between the silky smooth play and combination of the Rol-gen backline and the stunted but adequate connection of the Bel-gen one.
Jackson Ragen – 7 | Community – 6.7
Ragen continued to excel, this time starting in between Alex and Jon and barely putting a foot wrong. He had 93 percent passing and a massive 15 clearances, perhaps missing some of the buildout of other centerback pairings. He won eight headers among 20 defensive actions, time and again being the difference between SKC getting back in the game and Seattle holding on. He only lost a single duel all evening.
Benefit of the doubt: No matter who is next to him, the game flows through Ragen’s nearly perfect distribution. It’s progressive and integral to the Sounders’ success.
Doubt: Bell and Ragen in the back were slow to react plenty of times. The ceiling seems pretty low for much more than solid defense/clearing (which isn’t bad!) versus adding creativity in progression.
Alex Roldan – 7 | Community – 7.3 (off 78’ for Baker-Whiting)
Roldan moved back to the right after a few quality matches at center, and showed a flexibility and solid skillset. Consistently moving central and back wide to support possession, Alex had 55 touches. Getting into advanced areas on multiple occasions, he had two shots and two key passes on the offensive end which complemented his nine defensive actions. He was clean when coming central, passing at a 97 percent success rate.
Benefit of the doubt: Alex is quietly having a monster season, showing up in a number of positions and giving that little bit of glue factor that is essential to everything clicking.
Doubt: He might be the odd man out at both centerback and right back, due to individual brilliance at both positions from teammates.
Defensive Midfield
Cristian Roldan – 8 | Community – 7.6
Once again, Seattle went as Cristian went, and he was awesome. Leading the team with 86 touches, he somehow managed a fantastic 96 percent pass completion rate, simply not turning the ball over. These weren’t just safe passes, either. It was his 40-yard release pass after a great defensive play in the box that jumpstarted Seattle’s counter attack, resulting in a goal right before the halftime whistle. Twelve passes into the final third, and nine duels won. He did it all.
Benefit of the doubt: Is there anything this guy doesn’t do? His ability to defend everywhere while being the fulcrum of transition opportunities that create goals is brilliant.
Doubt: He can’t play three games in a week at this level of effort, can he?
Obed Vargas – 7 | Community – 6.6
Vargas continued his high level and consistent combination with Cristian centrally, looking excellent. Although he only had a single shot, Obed was often found attacking the high right areas with Jesús Ferreira cutting inside and Alex supporting, a new way for the Sounders to utilize the right wing. His eight passes into the final third complemented a central midfield pairing that drove the ball direct.
Benefit of the doubt: There were glimpses of direct play, and when he turns towards goal, the Sounders’ offense benefits greatly. His game knowledge is excellent, and he naturally goes where his connection is needed.
Doubt: When facing his own goal, Obed has major struggles in defending.
Attacking Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 7 | Community – 7.5 (MOTM) (off 62’ for Kent)
Rothrock continues to stand out on the left wing, doing a bit of everything. Against SKC, that meant constantly finding dangerous passes, earning an assist and creating big chances. He ended with a massive six key passes, dealing throughout the match. Paul has a penchant for riding a challenge before bursting forward to look for dangerous crosses, using this created space to big benefit. His connection with Jordan Morris is great.
Benefit of the doubt: Paul keeps on making things happen, and he’s a willing runner for whatever the Sounders need from him: a perfect player for their system.
Doubt: Supposedly there are higher ceiling players out there hungry for his spot.
Albert Rusnák – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 7.2 (off 82’ for Leyva)
Once again, the high-flying Sounders offense of the first half had Albert’s fingerprints all over it. His spraying of the ball set up multiple wide attacks, and when a dangerous ball was handled, he cleanly added to the Sounders lead via a penalty kick. At the end of the half a spirited dash forward to overlap Ferreira spread the field and got Albert in space. His calm pass handed Jesús an easy finish and handed Seattle a 3-0 lead going into the break. He had three shots, all on target, and three key passes in a fantastic effort.
Benefit of the doubt: Goals, assists, creative movement: surround this guy with dynamic attackers and he will find massive chances for himself and teammates.
Doubt: Albert does a lot for the team creation-wise, but at times he’s the only one willing to make that big pass, and shouldering the load with one person requires clinical finishing.
Jesús Ferreira – 7 | Community – 6.9 (off 63’ for PDLV)
Jesús appears to have taken the right wide attacking job, and again showed well there. His ability to drop into the right channel and be a second playmaker alongside Rusnák has paid dividends. Again, he scored a crucial goal heading into halftime. Ferreira adds huge value to Seattle’s attacking band, this time patiently attacking central, allowing an overlapping Rusnák into the play while keeping the defense wary with eyes on Morris, then finishing cleanly after playing a give-and-go to his right. Jesús led Seattle with four shots.
Benefit of the doubt: Ferreira is heating up, finding space to operate and producing every single match now. He is going to keep getting better in Seattle.
Doubt: He isn’t a pure winger, which can compact play, and without overlaps it asks a lot of wide defenses.
Forward
Jordan Morris – 7 | Community – 7.4 (off 46’ for Musovski)
Morris returned to the starting lineup and immediately got on the scoresheet, starting off the play with an innocuous change of shape before dashing directly across the defense and finishing a thundering header. This direct near-post run with pace was fantastic. He followed this up with consistent movement, defensive pressure, and holdup play. He only had 15 touches, but he showed that he can create high quality opportunities as well as finish them.
Benefit of the doubt: Morris is back, and it’s clear he is the dynamic attacker who unlocks the spaces that make a good offense great. He is a menace in behind, finishes well, and is an aerial threat. He makes everyone around him better.
Doubt: The drop off when Jordan left the field was stark, which highlights a big issue for Seattle if he can’t stay perfectly healthy.
Substitutes
Danny Musovski – 4 | Community – 5.0 (on 46’ for Morris)
Musovski came on at half and didn’t bring as much energy as expected. His connection play was tumultuous, and his 12 touches included just a single one in the SKC box. On the flip side, he did touch an SKC player, albeit very lightly, conceding a penalty.
Benefit of the doubt: Seattle plays better with a pure striker willing to mix it up in the box, and Musovski has had some success in that role this year. The whole team was lagging, and he didn’t have much help up there.
Doubt: This performance wasn’t due to being upset about losing his starting spot. I hope.
Ryan Kent – 5 | Community – 5.5 (on 62’ for Rothrock)
Kent came in with enough time to be a difference maker. Instead, he was active but ultimately ineffective. He played well and combined with his teammates, even setting up a key pass for Pedro de la Vega, but again seemed mostly passive and a passenger in a match that was careening out of control late.
Benefit of the doubt: Nearly every match there is that moment when you see the “wow” spark, a creative move and big chance setup, and that needs to be cultivated, not extinguished.
Doubt: No one knows what Kent is supposed to bring to this team, but it’s probably not defending a lead late in the game.
Pedro de la Vega – 5 | Community – 5.1 (on 63’ for Ferreira)
Pedro arrived as Seattle struggled to maintain the high level of play from the first half. He played okay as Seattle tried to see the match out, and was surprisingly active on the defensive end, adding some quality help. His one shot was a major disappointment and may still be in orbit.
Benefit of the doubt: Pedro arrived and the little things he does well are all there.
Doubt: Between his missed shot late and the turnover that led to a penalty kick, he isn’t beating out anyone ahead of him for playing time.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 4 | Community – 4.9 (on 78’ for A. Roldan)
Reed came in to bring some fresh legs on the wide defensive areas. He responded by clattering into an opponent and conceding the second penalty of the match, as well as a series of other unfortunate events. He had 15 touches and decently combined passes.
Benefit of the doubt: Reed’s offensive upside was already nosing him ahead of the Nouhou experience as a left back.
Doubt: RBW is such a poor defender that even Nouhou’s antics aren’t enough to make him an every-day starter, as evidenced by conceding the late PK.
Danny Leyva – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 82’ for Rusnák)
Entering late as a midfield option, Leyva did well with what little control he was able to exert. His passing was clean (100 percent) and he had a single defensive action.
Benefit of the doubt: Continuing to spell Rusnák late means the team sees his creative ability and has faith in his improving defense.
Doubt: Seattle was already struggling in the second half, and as usual when Rusnák left, the possession completely disappeared.
Referee
Elijio Arreguin – 3 | Community – 3.5
What could go wrong when you allow foul after foul after foul, then in a 10-minute span whistle eight times and give out four cards? Sprinkle in some soft penalty kicks and some confusing advantage calls (or lack thereof), and you have a deplorable refereeing job. Rookie Arreguin was clearly unable to deal with the charged and sweaty atmosphere in Kansas. The lack of calls, then overcompensation had everyone frustrated, with soft penalties and inconsistent application of rules culminating in a complete mess of a match for all involved.
Benefit of the doubt: Being a referee is hard, and maybe having one of your first MLS games be a fierce rivalry, in the heat and humidity, with a desperate home team fighting back, was too much to ask.
Doubt: This guy isn’t good enough for MLS Next Pro.
Sporting Kansas City MOTM
Dejan Joveljic had a hell of a second half. He won and converted the first penalty, igniting SKC’s comeback hopes. Then, in the 73rd minute, he had an effort off a scrambled rebound that was only kept out of the net by painful looking Alex Roldan contortions.
Upcoming: Midweek home game against Colorado. I’d prefer a convincing win, like when we dominate in both halves, and no ejections, injuries, or other dramatics, please.
