For the second week running, Sounders FC holds the top spot in the Weekly Power Rankings for ESPN.com and MLSsoccer.com following the team’s impressive road win over the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
“The unquestioned best team in MLS through four weeks, the Sounders got second-half goals from Raúl Ruidíaz and Fredy Montero to secure a 2-1 win against rival Portland,” wrote ESPN.com’s Kyle Bonagura. “Seattle is the lone remaining unbeaten team in the Western Conference and leads MLS with 10 points.”
The league’s editorial team also praised Seattle’s run of form to start the campaign, with columnist J. Sam Jones praising Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and noting the seeming inevitability of Sounders FC’s success on the pitch.
“I just want everyone to acknowledge that we’re still underrating Brian Schmetzer,” he wrote. “Can we at least acknowledge that? We don’t have to suddenly start talking about him like we should be naming the MLS Cup trophy after him, but… maybe the Western Conference trophy? Let’s normalize talking about Brian Schmetzer being underrated so much that he becomes overrated. He’s earned it and is still earning it."
Sounders FC returns to action on Wednesday as it takes on the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) at PayPal Park in the club’s first midweek match of the season.
