The Seattle Sounders have been on a historic run in the last eight matches, collecting a record 26 goals from 12 different players while maintaining their unbeaten streak since Club World Cup competition.
“The ability to use everybody and we're getting results at the same time…Everybody feels part of the club, everybody feels part of the team, part of the success of the team," said midfielder Cristian Roldan.
The unity shown from the Sounders squad is evident with each player peaking at the exact same time. But, their true test awaits this weekend, as they gear up to face Minnesota United on Saturday evening at Allianz Field (5:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, FS1, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM).
“This feels like a playoff game,” said Roldan.
The Sounders are regular winners when it comes to facing the Loons (14-2-2), but this year’s Midwest side has been dominant throughout MLS regular season as the current No. 3 team in the West. The last time the two teams went head-to-head, the Rave Green fell 3-2 at Lumen Field on June 1.
“In the first half, we had a lot of the ball, and we felt good as a team because we were on top of them, but they were right where they wanted to be,” said midfielder Obed Vargas. “It was 0-0 at half. But they were sitting in their 5-4-1, and they were very comfortable. And [with] one little mistake, they [were] up 1-0. They can sit back and counter attack, and now you have to be aggressive and you get exposed a little bit. So we know that it's important for us to get the lead first.”
This weekend’s match is expected to be back-and-forth with the Rave Green’s lethal attack matching up against one of the top defensive teams in the West. In addition to Minnesota’s eight clean sheets, the team is tied for third in the West in least amount of goals given up (30).
“It'll be a tight game,” said Roldan. “This is a team that allows probably one of the fewest xG’s throughout the league, so it's going to be a battle of defending and then also getting that one chance and possibly putting the game away.”
Kids Day Kickoff (vs. Sporting Kansas City)
Come out to Lumen Field to watch the Sounders FC take on Sporting Kansas City with this special ticket offer. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two hot dogs for the match.
Kickoff at 6:00 p.m. PT on August 24.
Saturday marks not only an opportunity for the Sounders to redeem themselves from their previous matchup, but to also take the Loons' spot as the third-place contender in their designated conference.
With their recent offensive success, Roldan is confident his team can achieve this agenda and leave Saint Paul, Minn. with three points.
“We've been a lot more fluid. We've added one more guy in the attack this year with Obed, leaving three guys in the back, leaving at times two guys,” he said. “We've put our center backs in an even higher position when we're attacking so that we can counter, defend and transition a little bit better.”
He continued: “[And] there's belief now. Belief that the ball is going to get there, the quality has gotten better in front of goal. And that is a beautiful thing, because I think that before, we didn't quite have that.”
