The legends before us right now

You'd think with a short roster due to injuries, suspension and international duty the roster may be diminished – it is. You'd be absolutely correct. Three Defiance players were called up to be active on the matchday roster. Midfielder Sebastian Gomez, midfielder Peter Kingston and defender Antino Lopez all came through the Academy, following different paths to Defiance. They'll be a Sounder on a night recognizing one of the greatest runs in knockout competition the league has seen.

Like you, they'll see the fruits of a development program that put 12 players onto Brian Schmetzer's two continental titles. Gomez, Kingston and Lopez know they can follow in the footsteps of a college players drafted (Ragen, Rothrock, Kossa-Rienzi), Academy players signed to Defiance first (Baker-Whiting, Leyva) and many more.

But they also know they're going to be on the bench and perhaps on the field with Legends, big L, all in bold, LEGENDS.

Two players on the roster were former MVP candidates – one a current DP who developed here (Jordan Morris) and another signed (João Paulo). Two other players made the Best XI in the Schmetzer era – Yeimar (signed) and a certain starter tonight (Jesus Ferreira). Eight former All Stars are on the current roster. Yes, this year's talent is off repping Mexico in the U-20 World Cup, but remaining home are likely starters Frei and Alex Roldan.

The sheer consistency and quality of the non-MLS Cup era of the Sounders is hard to overstate. Multiple MVP caliber players, a handful of Best XIs, practically a starting lineup worth of All Stars (when including signings like Ferreira and Paul Arriola).

In a decade, when this 2020-2025 stretch with two intercontinental titles and two other trips to finals settles into memory rather than actively playing, how many will be elevated into that status as Eternal Sounders? Frei with his six major trophies as a Sounder, for certain. Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan with their four? Probably. Nouhou with three? João Paulo and Yeimar with their two (plus multiple individual awards)?

Even without adding more years onto their careers these players soaked up individual and team recognition at a level rarely achieved in Seattle.

Tonight's banner is about them, their teammates, their coach, his staff and the 69,000 of us that watched Seattle put on a masterclass against an ambitious group of soccer gods that couldn't complete the assignment.

Honor that group, because the 'weakened' lineup features some of the greatest to ever do it along with The Future following in their footsteps.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here's what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Saturday, Oct. 11 vs. Real Salt Lake | 6:30 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Arrive early, as there are giveaways for Fan Appreciation Day and, more importantly, there's a Leagues Cup banner reveal.

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Reign

Next match: Friday, Oct. 17 vs Utah Royals | 7:00 pm PT | Fox 13 / NWSL+
If North Carolina loses and Houston Dash fails to win Reign clinch the playoffs after last night's draw.

Defiance (season over)

Tacoma Defiance close out season in style
Spokane Velocity clinched a playoff position. They can still finish as high as first and as low as seventh. They are in third currently.
Spokane Zephyr are early in their season, with 10 points in eight played, which is good for third. They recently hired Minnesota Aurora's coach as the new permanent Zephyr coach. Aurora are the best amateur women's side in the U.S.

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