MLS Multiplex
Fansided

It’s Do or Die Time for the Seattle Sounders

By Matthew Nelson

Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) yells out after a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) yells out after a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Currently sitting 5 points out of the playoff zone with 2 games in hand, the Sounders have no time for messing around anymore.

It has been a disaster of a season so far for the Rave Green. No one expected this sort of story line from the team who have yet to miss the playoffs since the entered the MLS 7 years ago.

Yet here they are.

Seattle is 5 points back from sliding into that final playoff position ahead of Sporting Kansas City and with 2 games in hand, it isn’t an impossible task. But what does the Rave Green have to do in the coming weeks in order to cross that red line?

Win in Los Angeles

Sep 18, 2016; Kansas City, KS, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Alan Gordon (9) celebrates with forward Robbie Keane (7) after scoring a goal against the Sporting Kansas City in the first half at Children
Sep 18, 2016; Kansas City, KS, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Alan Gordon (9) celebrates with forward Robbie Keane (7) after scoring a goal against the Sporting Kansas City in the first half at Children /

More from MLS Multiplex

This is one of the biggest games for the Sounders this season. San Jose will be taking on Sporting Kansas City and Portland is traveling to Houston as well this weekend, meaning there is chance that these teams could drop some points.

The ideal situation for the Sounders would be for Seattle to pick up all 3 points in LA and for Sporting and Portland to lose to San Jose and the Houston Dynamo, respectively. The hardest part of that, though, is Seattle picking up all 3 points.

The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last 6 games and have posted an impressive 8-0-7 record at home this year. Seattle’s defense will have to be on top of their game this weekend if they hope to collect some points down in LA.

Get Dempsey and Evans Back

Jul 13, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Clint Dempsey (2) bumps fists with forward Brad Evans (3) after scoring a goal against FC Dallas during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Dallas 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Clint Dempsey (2) bumps fists with forward Brad Evans (3) after scoring a goal against FC Dallas during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Dallas 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

We all know how important Dempsey is to this Sounders side, but it is often forgotten how important Evans is as well. Even though Román Torres is back and solidifying the backline in the absence of Evans, Tyrone Mears is looking like his age is finally getting to him.

Brad Evans has plenty of experience playing at right back with the Sounders as well as with the US Men’s National Team. If Evans is able to come back from injury sooner rather than later, the Sounders backline will become much more consistent.

Next: Winningest Franchises in MLS History

As of now, all that Sounders fans can hope for are results around the league to go their way and a strong finish, hopefully with Evans and Dempsey leading the way. If the Rave Green pick up a win, if not than at least a point, down in Los Angeles, their playoff chances could start becoming a reality.

Home/MLS News