When playing a video game or role-playing game there's this phenomena about holding onto the single use item and saving it for the best possible moment. Last Elixir Syndrome (also known as Too Awesome To Use) is one of its common names.
Game designers have discovered that giving out a single item means it will be rarely used. Players hoard it because they doubt there will ever be a best time. Instead there is a movement to two-a-day/session powers or multitudes of smaller impacting powers because players want to do things rather than finish a game with unused treasure.
Back when MLS had a single DP, several orgs sat in analysis paralysis because they didn't want their single chance to be muffed. This behavior was echoed when there was only a single U22 spot. Both systems shifted, which unlocked signing trends in the league. GMs and CSOs started being a little risky with the resources available because they could be.
The Sounders haven't really experienced Last Elixir Syndrome with their DPs or U22s.
They have had it with their summer roster structure – frequently they've been looking for one key piece to push them over the top. It had to be a key contributor who would come it at a specific value due to limited senior slot space, limited international slots and/or limited GAM.
This summer transfer window doesn't have that syndrome.
There's a lot of cap/AM space. There are many open senior roster slots. There's an international slot and acquiring another one wouldn’t be difficult due to the amount of GAM they have amassed.
And the roster has needs at the top and in the middle.
They don't need to hoard anything. There need not be on a quest for a unicorn player.
Since they have space to add three or more senior talents who would be almost immediately playing, they should be expected to get more than one. The available slots and budget space aren't too awesome to use.
Hoarding does not make sense when the peak of the team is a trophy contender and the dire injury situation has shown that the valley of the team might as well be Hells Canyon.
No hoarding. Just action.
The summer transfer window closes on September 2, 2026. The roster lock date, until which frees and domestic acquisitions can be made, is October 9, 2026. The Sounders have cap space and plenty of roster needs.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Sunday hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7:30 pm PT on Apple TV
- Pedro de la Vega likely out for rest of season
- Digging into data around Sounders’ injury situation
- The kids are alright, but Sounders need reinforcements
- Spirited performance: Rotated Sounders fall to Chivas
- Realio’s Ratings: Is fun allowed?
- How the new MLS leader will impact CBA negotiations
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: Wednesday at Racing Louisville at 3:30 pm PT on NWSL+/Fox 13+.
- Reign narrowly dominate Chicago, 1-0
- Valkyratings: Stop, start
- The Cooler Guild: Goals continue, point earned
Defiance
Next match: Sunday at LAFC2 at 7 pm PT on OneFootball and YouTube.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
NWSL and women's soccer
- Expansion or relocation? How the NWSL ecosystem makes it hard to keep up with the price of winning (Yahoo Sports)
- Meet Jimmy Coenraets, the 31-year-old Utah Royals coach who has had six heart surgeries (Yahoo Sports)
- Ted Lasso accidentally stumbles into women’s soccer’s biggest coaching problem (Yahoo Sports)
- ‘The Amazing Race’ season 39 cast features a 2-time World Cup champion (Entertainment Weekly)
MLS and men's soccer
- Lionel Messi admits he has doubts whether he'll keep playing 'much longer' after the death of his father (Yahoo Sports)
- Continental clash: where world football stands on Fifa and Infantino – explained (The Guardian)
- Inside USL’s NFL-style alternative to VAR and how FVS could offer a cleaner, cheaper replay system (Goal)
Puget Sound culture stuff
Eastern Washington wildfire relief
Our thoughts are with everyone in Spokane and across Eastern Washington who have been impacted by the wildfires. Looking to support the families and communities who have been displaced? Here are four donation options:
City of Spokane’s H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund: Donations go directly to supporting services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Innovia Foundation's Wildfire Emergency Response Fund: 100% of donations go directly to support local nonprofit organizations providing food, shelter, and recovery supplies.
The Cedar Fund of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation launched a Wildfire Recovery Campaign to support communities impacted by wildfires on the Colville Indian Reservation.
Spokanimal is looking for donations to buy pet food, blankets and towels. The organization has already taken in more than 100 displaced animals at no cost.
