Seattle Sounders: When is it acceptable to start panicking?
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Sounders make it three games without a win, following Saturday’s demoralizing 4-1 loss versus the upstart Chicago Fire.
While the Seattle Sounders have only played 10 games and had a similarly slow start last season, at some point we have to accept something’s not quite right. That point may have come on Saturday, after the alarming 4-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire.
It wasn’t so much the fact the Sounders lost (although that was bad enough). After all, the Fire have already shown they are nothing like the team which finished with the worst record in MLS last season.
More, it was the manner of the loss, after the Sounders held their own during the first half and arguably should have been leading. Regardless, the Rave Green fell part in a 16-minute spell after half time, courtesy of a three-goal barrage.
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The second-half collapse was witnessed by a primetime national audience. And just for good measures, two late yellows for Joevin Jones summed up the evening.
As a result of the loss, the Sounders currently find themselves in eighth place in the Western Conference. On the positive side, they remain just three points out of a playoff spot and still have the fifth-best goal difference in the conference.
However, this was of no consolation to Sounders’ coach Brian Schmetzer. Speaking to SportspressNW.com and other members of the media after the game, he said:
"“It’s a bit of a shock to see us that far down the standings with only two wins. Based on the way we played some of our games; this game I won’t use that excuse. The Fire were better. They were better.”"
No doubt a lot of people will continue to say it’s still too early to panic. After all, this is a team which was sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot after 20 games last season, but still came back for arguably the most remarkable championship in MLS history.
However, as per the surprising nature of the recovery, that was the exception rather than the rule. In addition, consider that the comeback came once Sigi Schmid had left – and this is essentially a stronger roster than the one Schmetzer took over and led to MLS Cup glory last year.
Having said all that, we’ve often talked about the amazing mental fortitude the Sounders have repeatedly shown, when all hope looked lost. In that respect, they are fully capable of turning their season around – but it’s still not going to stop this writer from panicking just a little bit between now and Wednesday’s game versus Sporting KC.
Next: Better performance, worse result
What were your main takeaways from Saturday’s loss? Are you panicking yet, or do you still have full confidence in the Sounders’ chances of success this season? Share your thoughts in the comments section.