OK, everybody. Good show, but for the Sounders, skip to about 23:23. I'm somewhat nervous right now. Great to see the Sounders doing so well, but if they run the rest of the table, then every single playoff match might be that much more nervewracking, because at that point, you advance or you are out. No reason whatsoever to try to run the rest of the table.
Going undefeated will be hard, winning out the rest of the season will be darn near impossible. Not that the rest of the season is against teams that are particularly good, but this is MLS and the difference between the top teams and the bottom teams is remarkably slim. Looking at the rest of the seasons: Philly - They have a really good chance of making the playoffs, but they aren't a particularly good road team. I think the Sounders have a good chance of winning this one, but I also wouldn't be shocked to see a draw here as the Sounders will be giving a good amount of their starters a rest after a hard game in Vancouver. @LAG - LAG's defense is HORRIBLE, but there offense shows spark from time to time. A new coach and StubHub historically having a hex on the Sounders could give them a hard time. I'm more inclined to see a draw, or even a loss, than a win here. COL - Yeah, this should be an easy win for the Sounders. HOU - Another game that should be an easy win for the Sounders. @ORL - Another really bad team, but this time it is at a stadium that is almost as far away from Seattle as you can get and still be in Mainland US.. Travel alone will be brutal. This game should be a win for the Sounders, but I would not kick a draw out of bed. @HOU - This will probably be the toughest game for the Sounders. Houston is actually pretty good at home (1.6ppg). A draw is more likely than a win here, but I also would not be shocked if a loss pops up. SJE - Anything less than a win would be a major disappointment, but then, Schmetzer might be resting players in preparation for the start of the playoffs.. If my win/draw/loss predictions are accurate, the Sounders may be fighting for a first round bye at this point, but that shouldn't change if it is a win or not.
Between rotating the squad, away games, and the unavoidable loss of intensity that comes in a long streak, I’d say the prospects are exactly zero. You can look at each game and think it’s winnable, but it never plays out that way. Better for us to finish strong and confident, rather than perfect.
Well.. I was almost right about the draw. Hopefully Ruidiaz isn’t hurt too badly. We’ll need him going forward. Offense was dismal with just Bruin.