Sounders’ depth and determination push series to Match 3 with Western Conference Semifinal spot on the line

Seattle Sounders FC’s 4-2 victory over Minnesota on Monday night perfectly captured the club’s resilient, winning DNA.

After a frustrating loss in penalties at Allianz Field in game one, the entire squad stepped up and rallied together as the Rave Green came away with a 4-2 victory over the Loons to force a Match 3 in the Round One, Best-of-3 series.

From 20-year-old Obed Vargas tallying a brace, veteran Sounder Jordan Morris earning a spot on the score sheet, to midfielder Paul Rothrock assisting Vargas’ second goal just 14 minutes after subbing into the match, the Sounders’s success was powered by a collective will to win.

“I've said it this whole year that we have probably the deepest team and one of the best teams in the league,” said forward Jesús Ferreira.

That depth affords Head Coach Brian Schmetzer the flexibility to make tactical and personnel adjustments tailored to specific opponents. In order to unlock Minnesota’s bunkered-in back five, the Sounders adjusted their own to a 4-4-2 diamond. With a front two of Danny Musovski and Morris, as well as a numerical advantage in midfield, the Sounders were able to break through the Loons and rack up four goals against one of the best defenses in the league.

“You have to have a strong mentality to be able to adapt. I think that what makes you a good player is just being able to adapt, apply and be able to sacrifice your best position for the team,” said Ferreira. “And I think everybody here on the team can do that.”

Monday night’s performance made it crystal clear that the “Next Man Up” mantra has been ingrained in each of the players. Regardless of how many minutes each player gets, the preparation and mentality of every guy on the roster puts the team in position to carve out a result no matter who is on the pitch.

This is especially vital as the Sounders make their way to Allianz Field on Saturday afternoon to determine which of the two teams advance out of Round One and onto the Western Conference Semifinals.

“We know that this season is very long, and we know that we're going to have to use everybody,” said Ferreira. “Everybody's ready, and I think that everybody understands what we have to do to win."

A decisive match awaits, and the Rave Green will need to rely on the entirety of the squad to power through against Minnesota’s resolute defense.

Midfielder Albert Rusnàk said it will be about “being on the same page,” similar to last match, that will drive the team to a positive outcome.

“When we get into the final third, maybe a little bit of simplifying things and then putting the ball in a box, like we did at home, and having numbers there so the ball can rebound, or it can bounce to one of us in a box, and then taking our chances,” he said. I don't think it was anything special [on Monday], other than mentality, all being on the same page and our willingness to sacrifice and just to make runs in a box.”