The Seattle Sounders are on the rise in the Week 19 MLS Power Rankings.
Up until the past couple of weeks, a combination of injuries and absences had hampered the team’s rhythm. The momentum appears to have shifted in recent matches as the team nears full health, with the Rave Green have exploding for nine goals in their last two matches – a 3-0 win over Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup and 6-2 victory over the Portland Timbers.
As a result, Seattle have climbed back into the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on MLSsoccer.com and ESPN.com’s Week 19 Power Rankings, respectively.
From MLSsoccer.com’s J. Sam Jones: “Y’all, what happens when Seattle turns into Second Half of the Season Seattle when they already were record-breakingly good in the first half of the year? They haven’t even started incorporating Young Money signing Léo Chú into the team yet.”
ESPN.com’s Kyle Bonagura pointed to the win over Portland as an indicator that the Sounders are rounding into form.
“Sunday night's Cascadia Derby was a goalfest as the Sounders blasted Portland, 6-2,” he wrote. “It was the most the Sounders have ever scored against Portland in an MLS match, but one of them deserves a special mention: Jimmy Medranda's left-footed volley from just inside the 18-yard box off a corner kick instantly entered the MLS goal-of-the-season conversation.”
The Seattle Sounders return to action on Wednesday as they visit FC Dallas (5:30 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM) at Toyota Stadium before traveling to Ohio for a 2020 MLS Cup rematch with the Columbus Crew (2:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM) on Saturday.