The culmination of Seattle’s MLS regular season proved to be a dramatic and bittersweet affair. The decision to field a strong lineup in the final match, despite some internal debate about preserving key players for the playoffs, ultimately came with a significant cost. While the Sounders did emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, the match was far from a comfortable win. They conceded a late equalizer, a recurring theme that has plagued the team, but luckily, this time they found a last-minute winner that secured the three points. However, the triumph was overshadowed by a devastating injury to pivotal player Pedro de la Vega, who suffered a severe knee injury after a collision on the uneven baseball infield. He had to be carted off the pitch and the prognosis is grim: de la Vega is expected to miss half a year in recovery, a significant blow to the team’s aspirations as they head into the playoffs. His absence will definitely be felt, given his ability to unlock defenses and provide crucial attacking impetus. It’s particularly disheartening as the Sounders had built momentum heading into the postseason. Their resurgent defense was a key factor in their three consecutive wins to close out the regular season, instilling a sense of confidence and belief within the squad.
Despite the heartbreak of de la Vega’s injury, the victory did carry some positive implications. The hard-fought win allowed the Sounders to climb a number of spots in the standings, leapfrogging several East Coast teams. This strategic gain could potentially secure a crucial home-field advantage for a future playoff final in Seattle. Furthermore, the team’s performance, even without Pedro, demonstrated remarkable strength and effectiveness. A number of key role players stepped up to the challenge, reaffirming the depth and resilience of the squad. This collective effort highlighted that the team is not overly reliant on any single individual and possesses the quality and determination to compete with any opponent they face in the upcoming playoffs. The Sounders will now need to regroup and harness the positive aspects of their regular season finale as they prepare for what promises to be a challenging and exciting playoff campaign.
Long Run: Fighting adversity, Seattle showed the kind of grit and determination that lends itself well to long postseason runs. The team dealt with a demoralizing injury and pulled together, created chances, and won on the road against a quality playoff opponent. This bodes well for the upcoming playoffs.
Quick Exit: Seattle is going to have to adjust without Pedro. Defenses get tighter in the postseason, and the Sounders often struggle with breaking down conservative teams. De la Vega was the best at individually breaking that kind of defend-and-counter style, a guy who was able to unlock a parked bus. He will be missed.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 7 | Community – 7.1
While missing out on his third shutout in a row, Frei was very good in this match and appears to have momentum heading into the playoffs after a string of quality performances by himself and teammates in the back. The Sounder defense, missing multiple pieces, was structured well and did a very good job making most of Stef’s job comfortable against NYCFC.
Long Run: A fantastic 46th minute save was huge, kept momentum going into halftime, and allowed Seattle to regroup and come out even after the break. They rode this surge into a lead and Frei and crew were only going to be beaten once thereafter.
Quick Exit: Frei was beaten once in this match, caught similarly to the rest of his defense a bit shaky due to a midfield turnover. There wasn’t much to be done when NYCFC’s shot took an unlucky deflection into the goal, but it was a reminder of Seattle’s late-game lack of concentration issues.
Defense
Nouhou – 7 | Community – 6.8
Nouhou returned from the break and had an effective match on the left side. His 93 percent passing and seven defensive contributions were part of a calm match from the at times overzealous left defensive player. Having controlled passing next to him and vertical options across the attacking band limited his need to rush into the offensive third, so Nouhou made smart choices on when to push up, and he generally stayed home and compact.
Long Run: Right before halftime, NYCFC had built some momentum and nearly had a chance when they found themselves with a 3-v-1 against Nouhou. Little did they know, he had them right where he wanted, controlling possession among these multiple opponents before playing clean forward.
Quick Exit: A number of rare poor touches plagued Nouhou in the evening, and getting called offside early killed some promising momentum in a rare push forward.
Jackson Ragen – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 7.8 (MOTM)
Ragen was fantastic against NYCFC, winning every duel, leading the team with calm defending and possession forward, and combining with Roldan the younger excellently in long moments of Sounders control. Ninety-three percent passing, 77 touches, a goal, and leading the defensive line throughout the entire night highlighted a MOTM performance from Jackson.
Long Run: One of the only questions remaining for Ragen as he develops is his historical aerial dominance is mainly defense, not offense. He erased that thought with his best set piece header of his career, an emphatic, game-winning goal off a lovely Danny Leyva corner. The opponents had no chance with this combination of precision and execution.
Quick Exit: Shortly before NYCFC tied it up, the alarm bells were ringing. As has been a weakness this year, Ragen was caught upfield in the 80th minute, unnecessarily joining the offense with a positive gamestate that didn’t warrant him selling out his defensive duties.
Alex Roldan – 7 | Community – 7.3 (off 55’ for Bell)
Alex Roldan, center back. Once again, Alex was excellent both defensively and offering even more possession control and calmness on the ball from the center of the defense. He led the team with 96 percent completion of his passes, continually finding the right distribution to connect back to front without giving away any unnecessary transition moments for the home team.
Long Run: While better known for his clean passing, Roldan was repeatedly a standout defensively for Seattle. It started in the 13th minute as he came across to support behind the left of the defense. Moments later, he repeated the same, saving the team with a smart understanding of how best to support the entire field. Early in the second half, he again set the tone defensively, with a 48th minute play showing he’s a strong central defender.
Quick Exit: Roldan subbed out early in this one, getting a bit of rest. The team took a while to adjust to him missing, but it was nice to give this important player less of an opportunity to get injured.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi – 6 | Community – 6.0
Similar to the team rollercoaster, Kalani had an up-and-down game. At times a complete dominant ball-winner, Kossa-Rienzi joined his team, surging into the attack. Other moments, he was caught out, yet continues to improve each match. With 88 percent passing and a shot, he was a definite part of the attack who is very comfortable on the ball.
Long Run: With most of his best moments coming on the offensive side, it was great to see KKR show excellent defense in a 66th minute transition attempt from NYC. His ability to intervene and play back-to-front was essential.
Quick Exit: At times in the first half a black hole, Kalani started with a poor back pass, nearly setting up NYCFC in the 4th minute and bookended that with a very lucky 80th moment where, after a turnover, he somehow avoided a card. This was a bit of a rocky outing.
Defensive Midfield
João Paulo – 6 | Community – 6.5 (off 55’ for Brunell)
Earning his second start in as many opportunities, JP once again showed his resurgent form. The precision of his passing and control was excellent, and he combined in the middle well with Leyva. The excellent vision João has was on full display as he looked vertically to pick out the offensive runs of teammates. With five tackles, he also brought physicality through the middle.
Long Run: In the 10th minute, it was vintage João, as he controlled the ball and turned amid multiple NYCFC players, earned a foul, and with it a set piece for Seattle, as he calmly dispersed the pressure exerted on the Sounders.
Quick Exit: Right before half, it looked like JP was tiring some, and he was caught in possession trying to do too much with heavy legs. While Seattle was able to deal with the pressure at this moment, it was clear that the defensive midfield would need a boost soon thereafter.
Danny Leyva – 7 | Community – 6.9
Leyva got another chance to start as a central defensive midfielder and he was once again excellent. By far the player with the most of the ball for Seattle, Danny had 104 touches, 88 percent passing, and led the team with three key passes, all the while defending everywhere with seven recoveries. His ability to combine centrally and hold up his responsibilities defensively, especially, has been a continued improvement this season.
Long Run: There were a lot of high points for Danny, who was solid on both ends of the field. After his control earned Seattle a free kick in the 50th, he was given an opportunity to serve his own corner in the 87th. He dialed up a gorgeous set piece that found Ragen for the game-winner.
Quick Exit: At times trying to do too much, when Leyva was dispossessed in the 81st minute, a scrambling defense behind him wasn’t able to deal with this disastrous turnover and conceded a tying goal.
Attacking Midfield
Pedro de la Vega – 5 | Community – 6.7 (off 24’ for Rothrock)
While the way it ended for Pedro will dominate the memory of this match, it’s important to recognize that de la Vega was looking strong prior to subbing off, with perfect passing and a number of dynamic connections with the elite attackers around him. His comfort in dribbling into central areas in attack as well as reading aggressive pushes on the opposite side of the field and creating backside chances was on display prior to his injury.
Long Run: The consummate hard worker, it was nice to see Pedro lead the defensive pressure in the 15th minute, showing he’s a much more well-rounded player, and part of the team’s defense starting higher up the field.
Quick Exit: At least once over-dribbling into trouble, the defining moment in this game was PDLV getting knocked on the side of his knee and having a catastrophic injury that will remove him from the team for at least six months. Playing on a crummy, small baseball field likely didn’t help, but this seemed like another in a string of unlucky breaks for the Sounders this season.
Albert Rusnák – 7 | Community – 6.9
Albert quietly did what he does so well, controlling the match and giving Seattle a consistent, calm possession out whenever they were under pressure. He turned his 66 touches into a team-high three key passes, had an assist, and was part of a very clean possession match for the team.
Long Run: After a good 14th minute free kick that nearly scored, Rusnák dialed it in repeatedly on dead balls. That came to fruition in the 61st minute, as his well-struck set piece only had to be briefly redirected by Jordan Morris to give Seattle the lead.
Quick Exit: In the 64th minute, Albert had a bad turnover and immediately fouled, earning a card. This was reminiscent of the last time he played, and his penchant for overcompensating after these turnovers is worrying.
Jesús Ferreira – 7 | Community – 7.0 (off 84’ for Baker-Whiting)
Jesús moved to the right and did all the small things that he has been excelling at for Seattle in the second half of the year. This meant only missing on four passes all night, adding four shots, and multiple big chances created with his vision and coordination through the attacking midfield. He hasn’t scored lately, but continues to be part and parcel of nearly all the creative movement that is making Seattle so dynamic in the attack this season.
Long Run: A quick turn and shot in the 7th minute showed a direct goal emphasis, and Ferreira started big chances in the 26th and 51st, again showing great understanding of teammates movement to pick out dangerous forward passes.
Quick Exit: In the 70th minute, Seattle had a break and Jesús filled the right sided run. When he got the ball in the box, his shot was not hard or accurate enough to trouble NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Striker
Jordan Morris – 7 | Community – 6.8 (off 84’ for Musovski)
Stretching the field all night, Jordan created a lot of opportunities before eventually cashing in. His impact was felt on both sides of the field, as his defensive headers on set pieces were nearly as important as his offensive execution. He tried to earn a penalty for the second match in a row, and constantly made the diagonal runs that created the plethora of transition chances Seattle earned on the evening.
Long Run: After nearly creating a penalty earlier, Morris put Seattle in the lead in the 61st minute by perfectly timing his run to flick on Rusnák’s lovely dead ball service. Jordan was absolutely dominant in the air, only eclipsed by his own teammate.
Quick Exit: After being offside in the 52nd minute, Jordan still missed the shot, a disappointing moment where you really want to see a striker finish to get his momentum going. Later, even though he did score, Morris had other opportunities that he was a bit slow to take advantage of.
Substitutes
Paul Rothrock – 6 | Community – 6.8 (on 24’ for PDLV)
This was definitely not how Paul wanted to get on the field, inserted for a horrifically injured teammate. He came in cold and immediately got to work, pressing NYCFC and showing his usual effort to tilt the field for Seattle. He had 30 touches and 90 percent passing.
Long Run: It shouldn’t have been surprising that in the 71st minute, a long clear appeared to be an easy possession for Freese, when the constantly moving Rothrock surged into a sprinting run and nearly hustled his way into a big chance on sheer desire.
Quick Exit: In the 68th minute, Paul got out on the break but, even though he alertly saw the parallel run from Morris, wasn’t able to put the ball into his teammates stride, instead passing a bit behind Jordan and limiting the break options. These two need to get on the same page for playoffs.
Snyder Brunell – 5 | Community – 5.9 (on 55’ for JP)
Snyder returned from his international play and slid right into the middle next to Leyva early in the second half. He played under the radar, which was exactly what the team needed. His 27 touches didn’t dominate the ball, but his energy and tackling made it hard for NYCFC to build through the middle.
Long Run: Constantly willing to fight for the ball centrally, Brunell was consistently showcasing his control in tight quarters, finding success connecting with teammates and making it look easy to navigate a congested center of the field.
Quick Exit: In the 57th minute, Snyder had a good moment to find the ball and glide into the box, but he was unable to find the right pass, killing a chance.
Jon Bell – 5 | Community – 6.3 (on 55’ for Roldan)
With a number of hurt centerbacks, it was Bell’s turn to get some minutes, spelling Alex and sliding in on the left of Ragen. Bell had 19 touches and 93 percent passing.
Long Run: The control that Bell has on the ball is excellent, and he was very strong finding teammates and defusing the few moments that NYCFC found in deep possession. An excellent 56th minute clear immediately after entering showed he was ready.
Quick Exit: The one consistent knock with Bell is his positioning can be undisciplined at times. He was better for stretches in this match, but often he can become out of sync with the rest of the back line, offering passing lanes for the opponent.
Danny Musovski – 5 | Community – 5.4 (on 84’ for Morris)
Danny entered late for the tiring Morris, and helped Seattle both finish off the game, and obtain a game-winner.
Long Run: Moose had five touches and completed all passes attempted in a quiet appearance.
Reed Baker-Whiting – 5 | Community – 5.8 (on 84’ for Ferreira)
Also returning from international play, Reed came in and played on the wing, on the field for Seattle’s late game winner. He was credited with a tackle.
Long Run: Reed had four touches and completed all passes attempted in a quiet appearance.
Referee
Chris Penso – 6 | Community – 5.9
This seemed like it was a fairly well refereed match, however, the 19-6 foul discrepancy showed that there was a physicality employed by NYCFC that wasn’t reciprocated from Seattle. They used this (and the lack of cards for persistent fouls) as a tactic that they took advantage of.
Long Run: Ignoring multiple dives worked on both teams, with Morris perhaps a bit lucky not to be booked for what was shown to be a non-contact attempt at earning a penalty. Multiple cards handed out in extra time of the first half finally provided a small consequence to NYCFC tactics.
Quick Exit: KKR got away with a yellow card foul in the 55th, and then Andrés Perea for NYCFC returned the favor after a 73rd minute hack on Leyva. Danny was particularly aggrieved, being fouled at least a dozen times, with five called on the evening and zero persistent hack cards handed out.
NYCFC MOTM
The 38-year-old Moralez was fine. He had a shot, a shot creating action, and generally worked to be a fulcrum for his side in attack. He had already subbed off by the time NYCFC equalized, relinquishing playmaking duties to one Fernández, who would provide the assist to another.
Upcoming: Playoff time, defend set pieces, move on.
