Coming off a get-right performance in Matchday 23, the task for the Seattle Sounders is now building off that momentum with a Saturday rivalry matchup at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM).
Saturday’s 1-0 victory was cathartic on multiple fronts, as midfielder Albert Rusnák’s 67th-minute strike snapped a lengthy scoreless drought at home and delivered the Sounders a much-needed three-point result.
“I think there’s a lot of positives in the game against Houston: Obviously the goal, a clean sheet, that’s something to work off of,” said midfielder Obed Vargas at training this week. “Our mentality is to go and win every game, no matter if it’s home or away, so hopefully we can string another win and we can get that momentum going into the second half of the season.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s bout in Vancouver, Seattle will also benefit from a notable reinforcement in the form of right back Alex Roldan, who made his return to the squad after serving on international duty with El Salvador at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Roldan’s return should provide a boost for Seattle’s offense, as the 26-year-old is one of the league’s most effective attacking fullbacks in addition to his defensive prowess.
“It’s just my mentality,” said Roldan. “I go over there [with El Salvador] and try to give my best effort and come back and just try to do the same thing. Obviously, my role [at the Sounders] is a little bit different and what I provide for the team is a little bit different than what I do for El Salvador, but it’s just who I am as a player, is what I can provide for this team.”
“So hopefully this weekend I can contribute and help the team and succeed and get three points away from home.”
Roldan added that he feels as though the team isn’t far from getting back to their red-hot early-season form, despite the struggles on the attacking end in recent weeks.
The Sounders have managed to continue to string together clean sheets while contending with a rash of injury and international absences and are still in second place on the Western Conference table as the stretch run of the season looms.
“I think the games that they’ve played were actually very good games,” said Roldan. “They had solid performances. I think the only thing we were lacking was just the ball in the back of the net. Defensively we’re continuing to get shutouts, so that’s obviously a very big positive in my eyes, just because if we can keep a clean sheet then we’re giving our offense a chance.”
“So, I think they played well, they had good performances, it’s just about finishing goals now.”
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