Sounders Season Report

The Sounders are taking a break to lick their wounds and try to build on a road victory over DC United. Where do they stand at this point in the MLS season?

The Sounders earned their first win away from CenturyLink Field on June 1st against DC United. They sit in ninth place in the MLS Western Conference at 5-7-1. Things haven’t bounced the right way often for the Sounders. They have dropped winnable games, including a 1-0 defeat at home to the Colorado Rapids and a 2-0 loss against FC Dallas on May 14th.

Despite their win against DC United, the Sounders actually fell a place in the standings. They still sport a negative goal differential (-4) and while their 16 goals aren’t the worst in the league, they are still a ways away from matching offensive powerhouses FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, who both have 28 goals.

The Sounders were blindsided when Obafemi Martins bolted for a Chinese team right before the season started, and the resulting realignment implemented by coach Sigi Schmid didn’t produce many goals in the early parts of the season. In a way, the Sounders still haven’t truly recovered from the loss of Martins. His ability to distribute and send Clint Dempsey on his runs into the attacking third have been dearly missed.

More from Seattle Sounders

• Sounders’ struggles continue in loss to Sacramento
• Sounders: Has Clint Dempsey Played his Final Game for USMNT?
• Sounders Fight to Draw Against Former Coach
• Gold Cup Final Pits USMNT Against Unlikely Foe
• How International Duty Sparked Sounders Midfielder Cristian Roldan

Martins’ absence in the Sounders’ midfield was particularly obvious in the Sounders’ 2-1 loss at the New England Revolution last month. The Revolution’s midfield held the Sounders out of dangerous positions while strafing them offensively with superior speed.

But there’s hope for the Sounders after their encouraging win over DC United. Joevin Jones, who entered the DC match midway through the second half, had a huge impact on the game, scoring a goal and assisting the other. His passes were finding the mark and he added a new dimension to the Sounders’ attack.

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Sounders so far, and there’s still a long summer ahead of us. General Manager Garth Lagerwey will likely add a significant piece or two during the designated player signing period, and Schmid will continue to tinker with his lineup.

Next: Mariners News and Links June 7th

The Sounders will face the Kitsap Pumas in Tukwilla a week from today in the US Open Cup before returning to MLS play against the New York Energy Drinks on the road on June 19th.