Sunday's convincing shutout win puts the team one win away from the Western Conference lead
It was supposed to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams coming in tied for second in goals scored.But, the only side scoring was Seattle, who walked away with a convincing 3-0 shutout victory against a team that was looking for a win to move past Seattle in the Western Conference.
Now Seattle can see the top again, perched just three points below conference leading Houston Dynamo, a team they face at home July 11.
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Houston is coming off an 11-game undefeated streak. However, the Dynamo were shutout Sunday by the L.A. Galaxy, ending the MLS's longest streak of the year. Houston faces the Kansas City Wizards a week before they visit Seattle, giving them a chance to move their first place standing out of Seattle's reach and a good chance to get back in scoring mode.
And Houston will need all of the goals they can get because the Sounders have been turning their play up a few notches lately.
Hot streak
Montero has the longest scoring streak of the year, scoring one goal in the last four games, while also accumulating well-earned assists, most notably two to Jaqua yesterday.
"Well thank God," Montero said. "Four goals in a row. That’s a demonstration of me preparing, practicing, putting the effort in practice and reflecting well in the games as well."
Seattle's starting forwards Montero and Jaqua sit tied for second and fourth respectively in total MLS goals this season.
Playing as a team
Team chemistry has been improving as well, with Freddie Ljungberg and Montero finally finding each other, among other noticeable improvements.
"Like I said, maybe the chemistry is getting better but I think we played well the last couple of games is more of the small details," Ljungberg said.
Chemistry was sometimes an issue earlier in the season as the expansion side struggled to find continuity with players competing as teammates for the first time and multiple suspensions and injuries.
But the issues seem to be a thing of the past as Seattle trudges ahead, earning points along the way.
"We have eight points in our last four games," Schmid said. "We want to keep going.”
International absences
However, Seattle isn't in the clear yet as two starters prepare to leave the club for international duty. Brad Evans and Tyrone Marshall will depart until at least late July.
However, the hit to Seattle won't be as bad as other teams such as Houston, who will be missing three players.
Seattle plays the Portland Timbers this Wednesday in an Open Cup match. The game will be televised on FSN at 7 p.m.
"Wednesday we’ll be missing a couple of guys because they’ll be gone with their national teams," Schmid said. "It’s an important game for us. We want to get on with the Open Cup. At the end of the day, as the Sounders FC MLS team we have no trophies in the trophy case and we put some in there."
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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