Ahead of the 2017 MLS opener in March, Sounders General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey spoke with confidence on the club’s outlook to repeat as league champion.
“We want to do this more than one time,” Lagerwey told media. “We’re not satisfied; we’re not finished yet. I think we have a young core built around veteran players. We think this team is built to win now.”
And here we are nearly eight months later, with the Sounders owning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and prepping for another postseason run. How is this team different than last year’s squad? Who are the guys that could become the first team in pro Seattle sports history to win back-to-back titles?
Let’s take a look:
2016 Skinny
Record: (14-14-6, 48 points)
Home: 10-5-2
Away: 4-9-4
Goals: 44 for, 43 against
Leaders: Goals – Morris, 12; Assists – Lodeiro/Ivanschitz, 8; Saves – Frei, 91; Shutouts – Frei, 8
2017 Skinny
Record: (14-9-11, 53 points)
Home: 11-1-5
Away: 3-8-6
Goals: 53 for, 39 against
Leaders: Goals – Dempsey, 12; Assists – Lodeiro, 12; Saves – Frei, 84; Shutouts – Frei, 13
Departures: Nelson Valdez, Tyrone Mears, Andreas Ivanschitz, Erik Friberg, Herculez Gomez, Michael Farfan, Dylan Remick, Darwin Jones, Nathan Sturgis, Zach Scott, Alvaro Fernandez, Charlie Lyon, Oalex Anderson, Victor Mansaray
Additions: Víctor Rodríguez, Will Bruin, Gustav Svensson, Nouhou, Kelvin Leerdam, Lamar Neagle, Harry Shipp, Henry Wingo, Jordy Delem, Seyi Adekoya, Zach Mathers, Bryan Meredith, Calum Mallace
THE SCORERS
With a combined 23 of the squad’s 53 goals, forwards Clint Dempsey and Will Bruin are lethal up top. Bruin often stands as the lone striker up top, with Dempsey sitting just underneath him. Jordan Morris, who scored 12 goals en route to winning AT&T Rookie of the Year honors last season, is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and could be an option later in the postseason. With Morris, Bruin could either come as a supersub option or have Morris stretch defenses on the left flank and cut inside.
THE ENGINES
It’s difficult to imagine a more fearsome attacking midfield combo in MLS than Nicolás Lodeiro and Víctor Rodríguez. Lodeiro has played admirably in his first full season, recording seven goals and a team-high 12 assists. He was also fouled more than any other player in the league. The 28-year-old Uruguayan has been at his best alongside Rodríguez, who joined Seattle in early August. In five starts, the Barcelona native has registered two goals and an assist.
THE ANCHORS
In Head Coach Brian Schmetzter’s 4-2-3-1 formation, the “2” represents a double-pivot in the midfield, with captain Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan holding down the defensive midfield. It is a dynamic duo, with the veteran Alonso sitting a bit deeper, allowing the explosive Roldan to burst into the offense, where he has six goals and three assists this season.
THE WALL
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei has an impressive campaign, leading MLS with a career-high and club-record 13 shutouts. The MLS All-Star earned MLS Save of the Week on three occasions in 2017.
THE BEASTS
The league’s only three-time MLS Defender of the Year and the guy who scored the winner in the biggest moment for both club and country? Sure, I’ll take it! Chad Marshall and Román Torres are an imposing duo on the backline, bringing a wealth of experience and size in front of Frei.
THE FULLBACKS
Schmetzer emphasizes the importance of width in building an attack, which often comes from the fullback position. From the left side, Joevin Jones has recorded an impressive 11 assists, while right back Kelvin Leerdam has brought intelligence and efficiency since signing with Seattle in July. Meanwhile, first-year defender Nouhou has shown plenty of excitement and athleticism to left back, which gives Schmetzer an option to push Jones up into the midfield.
THE GOOSE
Perhaps the best signing of the 2017 campaign for Lagerwey, midfielder Gustav Svensson has been an extremely versatile asset for the Rave Green. The Swedish midfielder has drifted between the center back and defensive midfield, filling in well wherever he’s needed. Despite suffering a recent hamstring injury, Svensson could be a crucial piece to the club’s postseason success.
THE DEPTH
The club prioritizes a “next man up” mentality, which means anyone at any time can step up to be the hero. Midfielders Lamar Neagle and Harry Shipp each have two goals this season, while Jordy Delem, Tony Alfaro and Henry Wingo have made double-digit appearances. Oniel Fisher and Aaron Kovar return from last year’s title squad, and backup goalkeeper Tyler Miller earned his first MLS win in July. Bryan Meredith, Seyi Adekoya, Zach Mathers and Calum Mallace provide additional depth, while longtime vet Brad Evans is sidelined for the rest of the season with a back injury.
