Three weeks ago, Sounders FC was 2-2-1 and coming off a frustrating loss to the LA Galaxy. Head Coach Sigi Schmid felt the overall record wasn’t indicative of how well the Rave Green were playing.
Now, after the club’s 3-1 win over New York City FC on Sunday, Schmid’s assertion is validated. His team has won three straight games – including two on the road – to jump near the top of the MLS standings. Seattle owns the highest points-per-game average in the Western Conference (2.00) and the league’s best goal differential (plus-seven).
Thanks to goals by Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins (2), the Sounders were able to come away with a victory in their first-ever match at Yankee Stadium. Here’s what Schmid and the two All-Star forwards said after the game about the momentum Sounders FC is building early in the season.
Sigi Schmid:
“I think we’re getting better and better. Stefan Frei has been great in goal for us – He’s been really, really solid. I think [Brad] Evans is getting better and better at centerback – I thought today was probably his best game at centerback. And I think Dylan Remick has stepped up as a left back and is really jumping in as well. It’s not just the returning guys that we expect to do well, but it’s also been the young guys that are coming through.”
“Nothing surprises me with [Martins and Dempsey]. I see them at practice all the time, and they’re able to conjure up magical stuff. …The understanding between Dempsey and Oba has always been good, but the understanding between Oba and the rest of the team is getting better all the time.”
Clint Dempsey:
“We have everybody healthy and fit for selection, and I think that the competition pushes our team to be better. It pushes us each week in training. We have good depth on this team, and that’s what you’re going to need throughout the season because people will be called into National Team duty.”
“Being towards the top of the table gives you a little more confidence. You’re not playing as tight. And I think when you play loose, when you play confident, that’s when you play your best ball.”
Obafemi Martins:
“This is how we hoped to play. We knew the game was going to be difficult, but we did our part. We came together as a team and made it work. …As a team, we did very well.”
