It’s been a heckuva summer run for the Sounders, with the Rave Green surging up the Western Conference table. Winners of five consecutive matches and unbeaten in eight straight, the Sounders took down first-place FC Dallas at CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening.
Here are nine things to know from SEAvDAL:
1. Brad Smith’s Debut
Brad Smith made his first MLS appearance on Sunday, playing 73 minutes at fullback. The 24-year-old fullback was a constant threat on the left side, making timely and dangerous runs in the attack and thwarting any FCD attack. Following the match, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said he was very pleased with Smith’s performance.
2. Víctor Rodríguez Return
In his first match since July 21, 29-year-old midfielder Víctor Rodríguez saw the field in a reserve role. It has been a challenging year for the second-year Sounder who has battled knee injuries all season. A healthy Rodríguez could prove to be vital down the stretch. He scored a goal and added two assists in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
3. Lodeiro Goal, Lodeiro Assist
Nicolás Lodeiro has been a man on a mission since just missing out on making Uruguay’s World Cup squad. Over the past six matches, Lodeiro has recorded five goals and two assists. He delivered the corner kick for Chad Marshall’s scoring header in the first half before scoring a goal of his own in the second half.
4. Air Marshall
Chad Marshall’s goal in the 41st minute was typical Marshall Magic. The ball seemed to barely graze his head, yet it was perfectly directed away from the goalkeeper and into the net. For his efforts, he was named to the MLS Team of the Week alongside Lodeiro.
5. King of Corners
From the opening minute against FC Dallas, the Sounders pushed hard and often towards goal. As a result, the number of Seattle corner kicks added up in a hurry. By the time Lodeiro’s service connected with Marshall’s head for the goal, the Rave Green had already delivered 10 corner kicks. After another one happened before half, a club record was set: 11 corner kicks in the half set a new franchise mark. With three more in the second half, the Sounders also a set a new record with 14 corners taken in the match.
6. W, W, W, W, W
While a couple records were broken, another one was matched. With the win against FC Dallas, the Sounders tied a franchise record with five consecutive wins in the regular season. Four previous times the Sounders have won five in a row, but never reached six. They will look to set a new mark against the LA Galaxy this weekend.
7. Seeing Red
There was a playoffs-like atmosphere at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, and it ended particularly chippy. After a series of shoves and hard fouls as Seattle tried to close out the game in one of the opposing corners, FC Dallas defender Reto Ziegler was issued a red card for violent conduct.
8. Wild, Wild West
It seemed improbable a couple months ago, but the Sounders are just three points shy of the postseason cutoff line in the Western Conference. With 32 points, only 10 points separate eighth-place Seattle from first place. It’s going to be a frenetic finish for the six postseason spots.
9. Typical Cristian
Perhaps the best thing to come out of Sunday’s win (OK, that’s an exaggeration) was Cristian Roldan’s antics in the locker room. While speaking with media for over 10 minutes, he held a piece of pizza behind his back the entire time! And we know how much Cristian loves pizza…
