Seattle Sounders: 2017 season hits a new low
By Paul Taylor
The Seattle Sounders fall to a third consecutive defeat, thanks to a 13-minute hat-trick from Sporting Kansas City’s Gerso Fernandes.
The Seattle Sounders‘ season plunged to new depths on Wednesday night, courtesy of a 3-0 loss to Sporting KC. As a result, the Rave Green are second-bottom in the Western Conference, tied for the second-fewest points in the league.
The seeds for a disappointing night were sown, when it was announced before kickoff that the Sounders would be without Osvaldo Alonso (quadriceps injury) and Clint Dempsey (rest). This was on top of already missing Roman Torres and Joevin Jones in defense, through injury and suspension respectively.
Regardless, Brian Schmetzer’s team held there own in the first half, to go in at the break tied 0-0. Sporting KC were not particularly effective going forward, although they did control the game with 68 percent of the possession.
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Unfortunately for the Sounders, any encouragement started to unravel in the 56th minute, when the home side took the lead through Gerso Fernandes. Within 13 minutes, the game was over, as Fernandes completed Sporting KC’s first hat-trick since 2010. (Credit: Associated Press via The Seattle Times.)
As a result, the home side guaranteed an entire year since their last loss at Children’s Mercy Park. In the process, they also took over sole possession of first place in the West.
For the Sounders, the occasion marked their first three-game losing streak of the season and just one point from their last four games. This run is baffling to say the least, especially as it was preceded by a spectacular and seemingly morale-boosting 3-0 win in Los Angeles, versus the Galaxy.
After the game, Cristian Roldan was asked what is missing right now for the Sounders. As reported by SportspressNW.com, the midfielder said:
"“I think it’s quite a few things. It’s the assist, the pass before the goal. The final product. It’s not being offside when we’re in a good position. It’s defending well. It’s blocking crosses. It’s the whole picture, it’s the whole game. We just have to be better. We have to find those moments. We have to be concentrated and smart with our actions.”"
About the only solace the Sounders can take from the night, is that it was a similar 3-0 defeat versus Sporting KC last season, which acted as the genesis for their run towards an unlikely MLS Cup victory. However, that may be seen as clutching at straws right now, based on the evidence of recent results.
Regardless, the Sounders have shown a repeated ability to bounce back when things look bleakest. We’re pretty much at that point now, so we wait to see if they can once again display their famed mental fortitude.
Next: When is it acceptable to start panicking?
With the Sounders essentially one-third of the way through the season, what’s your position? Are you remaining confident, taking a wait-and-see approach or have you officially reached the panic stage? Share your thoughts in the comments section.