Sounders FC suffered another heartbreaking loss Saturday night, falling 1-0 to the Montreal Impact on Laurent Ciman’s header in the 88th minute. It was Seattle’s third straight 1-0 defeat in which the opponent’s goal was scored in the final six minutes.
The Rave Green weren’t able to muster a shot on target and finished with just three total shots, their lowest total since 2013. In their last seven games, the Sounders have registered just two goals.
Here’s what Head Coach Sigi Schmid and defender Zach Scott, Saturday’s captain, said in their post-match interviews from Stade Saputo.
Sigi Schmid:
“We can’t go 270 minutes without scoring a goal. That’s just not good enough. We’re not even forcing saves from goalkeepers in this stretch. We need to get more in that position…We get to the edge of the final third, but then it’s the quality of play. We’re playing very reactive instead of anticipating, so we’re waiting to see where our midfielders play the ball instead of making runs in advance. Guys right now just don’t have confidence and aren’t very decisive. That’s on me as the coach. I’ve got to figure out a way to do it.”
“It’s been tough for Troy [Perkins] because I think he’s played well in all three games. He doesn’t deserve to be 0-3 at this point. It shows when you look at his goals against – He’s only given up a goal a game. He came up with a big save against [Dominic] Oduro in the first half as well.”
Zach Scott:
“It’s hard to put into words because I’ve never been part of a Sounders team that has had everything go wrong at one time. We haven’t been able to work our way out of it or find some luck to get out of it. It’s definitely several different aspects. We’re not scoring goals, but we’re also not playing teams to zero. …I don’t know what it is, if it’s a matter of fatigue team-wise or just a lack of focus. Whatever it is, it needs to change.”
“First and foremost, I think each guy needs to look at himself and say, ‘Are you doing enough? Are you playing well?’ I think we’re all man enough to admit whether or not we had a good game and be honest with ourselves. If we can each look at ourselves individually, it’s going to help the team.”