We Sounders fans understand the pain of injury too well. The joys of a return after a long absence help define us. So many of our heroes missed many, many moons as the team moved forward, racking up wins (usually) and losses (frustratingly) waiting for the best of the players to return.
Pedro de la Vega is the latest of these. The crowd oooh'd and ahhh'd from his first touch until his last and then we stared in shock, maybe sadness. That hand he put on his face was a hand he put on our face.
It was a sudden and shocking reminder that these Sounders, these players, are not superheroes no matter how high they get on a pedestal.
We've watched the 2025 Leagues Cup Player of the Tournament go down, climb back to health and go down again.
All of his exceptional talent has to wait.
Because his body is so very human. All their bodies are.
ACLs. Concussions. Heart issues. Fib-tibs. Hamstrings. Busted shoulders. Broken knee caps. Labrums. Quads. Malaria.
The list of injuries that put these exceptional athletes out of commission is too damn long.
How much have injuries defined the Sounders?
Let's not run some deep numbers – take note of this, only one non-original team has had more than 1 Comeback Player of the Year. Yes, it's your Seattle Sounders, with three! That's tied for second-most CPoYs in league history.
This yo-yo of reality interfering with our beautiful blue skies, skillful play and friends cheering is hard. It doesn't matter. Because reality doesn't care about our heroes and legends.
Reality tears these mortals down. Reality tears us down. Reality blows.
And once again we are stuck waiting. Because we refuse to let our Sounders be mortals within our minds. They must come back bigger, faster, stronger.
Even if that's nearly impossible.
Because they're merely people. People who are hurt.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Wednesday hosting Chivas de Guadalajara in Leagues Cup play at 7:30 pm PT on Apple TV
- Sweet relief: Sounders finally back on the winning side
- Postgame Pontifications: Finally, some positivity
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 hosting Chicago Stars at 7 pm PT on NWSL+
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
- Brooklyn FC Signs Former NWSL Forward Tziarra “Zee” King | Brooklyn FC (Brooklyn FC)
- NWSL Power Ranking after Matchweek 16 (Women's Football Talk) Reign at 9.
- What's behind Seattle Reign's recent goalscoring surge (The IX)
- Pietra Tordin is silly, serious and leads Portland in goal contributions: 'A true professional' (New York Times) Youngest Thorns hat trick
MLS and men's soccer
- Seahawks buyer chimes in on discussion of grass at Lumen Field (Seattle Times)
- U.S. Soccer joins call for 'meaningful change' after UEFA, Concacaf and AFC release joint letter condemning Gianni Infantino (Yahoo Sports)
- Professional Referees Organization confirms mistake in Nashville SC match (615 Soccer)
Culture stuff I want you to read
- Dry thunderstorms possible this weekend in the Inland Northwest (Ingalls Weather)
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.
