The Seattle Sounders’ offense has been lethal this season, with its most recent targets being Liga MX’s Cruz Azul, Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana in Phase One of Leagues Cup.
In just three matches, the team has totaled 11 goals, the most of any of the 36 MLS and Liga MX clubs competing in the Concacaf-sanctioned tournament. Since the FIFA Club World Cup, the Rave Green have racked up 25 goals scored from nine matches across all competitions.
“It's a good offense to be a part of right now,” said forward Danny Musovski.
While plenty of players have gotten on the score sheet, one player in particular has broken out during this stretch of fixtures.
Following his first MLS goal against Atlanta United prior to the Leagues Cup break, Sounders forward Osaze De Rosario found the back of the net twice in the Phase One matches, scoring the fourth goal in the team’s 7-0 win over Cruz Azul and the equalizer in their most recent 2-1 victory over Club Tijuana.
His latest goal contribution against the Xolos stood out the most to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. In the 56th minute, winger Ryan Kent lofted a cross back-post where De Rosario produced an incredibly powerful header into the back of the net to level the score.
“Osaze’s great header brought us back into the game, brought some life,” said Schmetzer.
The long-time Sounders coach described this moment, along with his overall performance, as a “step forward” in De Rosario’s career.
“I think what he showed [last night], what he showed me, at least, was that he was able to get to the next level,” said Schmetzer.
Whether it be his physical presence on the pitch or his determination to find the back of the net, De Rosario played a significant role in the Sounders’ third consecutive Leagues Cup win and opportunity to advance to the quarterfinals.
“He's a big, strong kid, and that's going to be his calling card, and that's what's going to keep him in this league if he can [continue to] score goals like that,” said Schmetzer.
De Rosario takes after his father, former MLS MVP and Canada national team player Dwayne De Rosario, who is widely known as one of the most prolific scorers in league history. While Osaze recognizes there is a long way to go before reaching the heights his father once achieved, the 24-year-old is on the right path toward a successful career as shown in Wednesday night’s win.
“I'd say I just [continue to] help the team more and more. I helped the team when we were losing, and then I got the goal to tie it up, and then Moose got the goal to win,” said De Rosario. “So just that in itself, is just an improvement of me helping the team in a win like [last night].”
In addition to the critical feedback and support he’s received from the coaches since joining the First Team, Osaze credits his own dedication to his craft for helping him reach this point.
“Definitely been training hard after hours and in the sessions,” he said.
“It's been a long time coming.”
