Sounder At Heart Mar 22, 2019
Realio’s Ratings: Víctor Rodríguez may be the best attacking player in MLS
Víctor Rodríguez may be the best attacking player in MLS. The Seattle Sounders are on a roll. Not only have they won all three matches this season, they’ve played some of the most exciting, lethal, attacking soccer in every game. While we’ve yet to relax and enjoy a stress-free game, a majority of the 270+ minutes has been completely under Sounders control. Against Chicago, the away team came out early and throttled the Fire, dominating the first 25 minutes with five incredible chances, scoring two of them. In the second half, Seattle again started quickly and scored again,...
Sounder At Heart Mar 22, 2019
Nicolas Lodeiro gets rare start, picks up assist for Uruguay
Nico’s form seems to have carried over to his national team. Nicolás Lodeiro has found playing time with the Uruguay national team hard to come by ever since joining the Sounders. But given his first start since Oct. 6, 2016, Lodeiro made the most of it on Friday in registering an assist and helping Uruguay beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in the China Cup. The assist came in the 5th minute on Uruguay’s first goal, as he collecting a ball near the endline and hit Gaston Pereiro with the pass near the penalty spot. Pase de Lodeiro, GOL de Pereiro. De la Cantera Inagotable a la Selección de...
Dave Clark / Sounder At Heart Mar 22, 2019 
Major Link Soccer: Ichiro retires
USMNT stories, USWNT stories, Sounders U23 tryouts, lots of soccer, but also lots of Ichiro Puget Sound soccer 2019 Sounders U23 Open Tryouts - Powered by Eventzilla culture & news We’ve got six Ichiro stories and that’s not enough. He’s one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game and he called Seattle home. Ichiro, and the promise of what could be - Lookout LandingIn a 5-4 Mariners win, Ichiro’s retirement was everything that made him special. Ichiro Suzuki Announces His Retirement from Major League BaseballTOKYO, Japan — Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki...
Sounder At Heart Mar 21, 2019
USMNT vs. Ecuador: Gamethread and updates
Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris join the full USMNT squad in Orlando to play Ecuador Three Big Storylines Berhalter’s quick start. Only three coaches in USMNT history have won their first two matches in charge. Gregg Berhalter’s wins against Panama (3-0) and Costa Rica (2-0) allowed him to join Bob Bradley and Robert Millar with that distinction. Bradley won his first three in charge in 2007 while Millar beat Belgium and Paraguay to open the 1930 World Cup en route to a third place finish in Uruguay. Berhalter received a lot of praise for starting to institute a system in the...
Sounder At Heart Mar 21, 2019
A Sounders-centric roundtable about the USMNT
Should DeAndre Yedlin be played out of position? Which position is right for Jordan Morris? Will Cristian Roldan get a chance? The Sounder at Heart crew got together and discussed the United States national team’s upcoming friendlies. This is an edited version of that conversation. Jeremiah Oshan: The USA is getting ready to take on Ecuador tonight in the first of two friendlies during the international window. There are three players with ties to the Sounders — Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan and DeAndre Yedlin. We’re a pretty self-obsessed fanbase so let’s just get rid of the...
Sounder At Heart Mar 21, 2019
Nos Audietis, Episode 293: Talking Game of Thrones with Lamar Neagle
We also dig into the Sounders’ amazing start. Hard to imagine how the season could have started any better than it has. As the Sounders enter the first international break of the season, they find themselves atop the Supporters’ Shield standings as the league’s only 3-0 team. They’ve outscored their opponents 10-3 along the way, including a 4-2 win over the Chicago Fire last weekend. The goals are flowing like perfectly heated chocolate from a fountain, and the front four of Raul Ruidiaz, Nico Lodeiro, Victor Rodriguez and Jordan Morris have combined for a rather astounding eight...
Sounder At Heart Mar 21, 2019
Major Link Soccer: Miami parks are cow pastures
Jess Fishlock and Lyon get a good result in Champions League play, inside the Whitecaps Academy, and more. Puget Sound soccer Seattle’s self-made soccer historian promotes link to Sounders’ past – The Athletic ($)Frank MacDonald links the Sounders with Seattle’s rich soccer history. Jordan Morris: Dream of US return pushed me through ACL adversity of 2018 | MLSsoccer.com How Bradley and Dempsey solidarity payment cases differed from Yedlin case – The Athletic ($)Crossfire’s case regarding DeAndre Yedlin has been delayed again. What To Make Of Sizzling Hot Seattle Sounders, Shaky...
Sounder At Heart Mar 21, 2019
Kelvin Leerdam happy to score, but eager to improve chemistry with Jordan Morris
The Sounders left back looks forward to refining his on-field relationship with Morris as the season progresses. TUKWILA, Wash. — Kelvin Leerdam ended last season with no goals and fives assists. That’s not a bad haul for a fullback, but it’s a mark that he’s currently on pace to obliterate, at least in terms of goals scored. So far, Leerdam has scored twice in only three matches, and if not for a questionable-at-best offside call that went against him in the in the Chicago match, he would have scored his third. While averaging nearly a goal a match would be an eye-popping stat for...
Sounder At Heart Mar 20, 2019
Controlling tempo remains a priority for Sounders
Schmetzer says he still likes the idea of using three centerbacks to kill off games, even if it didn’t go as planned in Chicago. Finding things to criticize about the Seattle Sounders following their best start since 2009 is not an easy task. But if there’s been one consistent criticism, it’s that the have sometimes struggled to control the temp of the match. The Sounders have gone into halftime of all three matches leading by two goals, but haven’t made the second halves as easy on themselves as they probably would have liked. “It’s been a theme all the way since preseason,”...
Dave Clark / Sounder At Heart Mar 20, 2019 
Don’t hesitate to celebrate the good times
There’s a losing streak some point in the future. It doesn’t matter right now. Taking a look at the MLS standings right now is fun. Seattle Sounders are at the top — top of the West, top of the Shield and only one other team still has a perfect record. Various Power Rankings love the Sounders too, of course. Sure, some people might be hesitant. The defense didn’t look great against the Chicago Fire. There were game-state issues and poor possession for a stretch. Here’s the thing — it’s not a harbinger of things to come. The Sounders had a three-goal lead. That’s exactly the...
Sounder At Heart Mar 20, 2019
When it comes to accenting an outfit, accessories are key
Stefan Frei’s got the bag. With the team on the road to face Chicago, we’re taking a slightly different approach this week. For road trips, the team all wears team gear to the stadium, so the outfits lack the flash and individuality that I like to focus on. The guys still have to carry their toiletries and personal items, though, so in this edition I’ll be looking at the bags and accessories that were on display Saturday morning. Stefan Frei (above) showed up in a big way against Chicago, setting a personal record for saves in a win, and doing a lot of work to give the team the chance...
Dave Clark / Sounder At Heart Mar 20, 2019 
Major Link Soccer: US Men backing US Women in equal pay fight
Also: Crossfire/Yedlin case delayed, again; Andy Rose concussed in Vancouver loss; there’s a new Narnia book and only 75 people have read it Puget Sound soccer Back at full speed in MLS, Jordan Morris could be in line for big role with USMNT – The Athletic ($)After sitting out most of last year with an ACL tear, Jordan Morris is once again looking like a promising international piece. Seattle Sounders move to top of MLS Power Rankings as D.C. rises and SKC tumbleThe Seattle Sounders are the last remaining perfect team in MLS after three weeks of action, and they top this week's edition...
Sounder At Heart Mar 19, 2019
There’s a four-headed hydra stalking Sounders opponents
The attacking quartet is looking like an unstoppable monster. Through the first couple games, there’s been an understandable desire to “pump the brakes” before getting to excited about the Seattle Sounders’ start. After a third straight game, though, it might be time to admit that the Sounders’ offense looks pretty fantastic. Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Chicago Fire was far from perfect — and I’ll address to some of the valid criticisms later — but it was also a match where a sluggish performance would have been somewhat understandable. Despite playing on the road, in...
Sounder At Heart Mar 19, 2019
Major Link Soccer: MLS expansion is down to two
Two cities are left for one spot, Beckham dreams of bringing stars to Miami. Seattle We R Tacoma: Pro Sports Options Expand for South Sound Families | ParentMapWomen's pro soccer, men's soccer and baseball at home at Cheney Stadium Pentz: Sounders answer fans’ plea for a closeout, but only after some uncomfortable moments – The Athletic ($)The Sounders held off a late rally to remain unblemished, going 3-0-0 for the first time since their first MLS season of 2009. Great Spots for Outdoor Dining and Drinking in Seattle - Eater SeattlePlan ahead for the next sunny day MLS U.S. judge says...
Sounder At Heart Mar 18, 2019
Jordan Morris is up for MLS goal of the week, again
That’s twice in three weeks, for those keeping track. If there were still any lingering doubts about the validity of the Jordan Morris Comeback Tour™, they were laid to rest this past weekend when Morris notched a goal and assist against Chicago in the Seattle’s 4-2 victory. The goal that Morris scored is up for MLS Goal of the Week for week 3. It had everything you want in a goal. First, Nicolas Lodeiro makes a beautiful curling pass around the Fire defense to find Jordan’s well timed run. Second, Morris has a lovely touch to skirt past an oncoming defender. And to top it all off,...
