"We're hungry": A collective group effort earns Sounders first 2023 postseason win

The Seattle Sounders were in top form Monday night after collecting an impressive win in the first match of the best-of-three series against FC Dallas in Round One of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

“It was a professional win,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “I thought the guys all played well, and they all put in the energy, effort, and application [to win].”

From the starting lineup to the players that came off the bench, it was a collective effort that ultimately led the Rave Green to the 2-0 victory. 

“I think we’re clicking at the right time,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “We're a unit and I feel we're stronger together.”

The Seattle squad’s willingness to put in the work and support one another on both ends of the pitch was obvious from the opening whistle and continued throughout the 90 minutes of postseason soccer at Lumen Field. 

“I think the group mentality defensively is kind of what's led us to be a really hard team to break down and score goals against,” said forward Jordan Morris. “And then you see the attacking things are coming together as well. So, I think when you add those two together, it's a good recipe.”

One of the highlights of the match was the way the team executed a high press collectively. From there, it was the movement and combination plays in the attacking half that pushed the team toward goal-scoring opportunities and a shutout win to close out the night.

“I think guys are playing with confidence,” said Morris. “And when you're playing with confidence, it leads to good things in the final third.”

But it’s the team’s recent training sessions that have been the difference maker to their performance on the pitch and their overall belief in one another.

“The guys are training really hard, working really hard and training knowing that at some point in the season, the goal scoring wasn't up to our standards,” added Morris. “So, I think that was something that we focused on a lot, and you see it coming through on the field.”

The Sounders’ unbeaten streak is also something that motivated the team to victory tonight.

“It's the momentum of how we ended the season, defending really well, clean sheet, but also creating chances and scoring goals,” said midfielder Albert Rusnák. “So, it's good to keep going from the regular season and into the playoffs.”

And they’re looking to continue that momentum in their next match against the Texas squad on the road on Saturday, Nov. 4 (6:00 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

“We’re hungry,” said Frei. “We know the potential of this team and know the possibilities of achieving something together.”