The Seattle Sounders roared back to life last Saturday night, showcasing that true strength lies in unity and collective effort. In a thrilling match against the New England Revolution, the Sounders clinched their fourth consecutive home victory, bringing back that invincible feeling last seen in 2020.
The 2-0 win was a spectacle for those in attendance. From the initial whistle, you could feel it was going to be a special night. The stadium buzzed with a palpable energy, a mix of anticipation and confidence that hadn't been felt in a while. And Jordan Morris, always the man of the moment, opened the scoring just 15 minutes in with a powerful shot after a perfect pass from Albert Rusnák.
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Schmetzer, the mastermind behind this revival, had recently emphasized the importance of turning Lumen Field into a true fortress once again. And the players embraced the idea. "Schmetz said the last time we won four in a row at home was in 2020, so it had been a while," Morris said. "And it's obviously very important for us to turn this place into a fortress again."
But the night wasn't just about Morris. Rusnák, who had already shined with the assist on the first goal, sealed the victory with a precise long-range shot in the 81st minute. The stadium erupted! There's no denying that these two players were pivotal, but the triumph was the result of a collective effort. The defense, led by Stefan Frei, was impeccable, securing the fifth clean sheet of the season.
Rusnák emphasized the importance of home games. "In this league, you have to win your home games," he said. "Home games are really key, and I feel like we lost a lot of games this year at , so we have to make up for that." And they did it in style! The high press from the defensive line and quick transitions were crucial to keeping the score favorable. When the ball moved like in the first goal, the ability to counter-attack and score is something that's always been part of the Sounders' DNA, and it looks like they've finally rediscovered that vein.
"Everyone's confident and I think everyone's playing well, and that's what you need to get results," Rusnák said. And it's exactly that. Confidence is contagious, and when all the players believe in the work they're doing, the results come. The team climbed three spots in the Western Conference standings, now sitting in 6th place.
The next challenge for the Sounders is against Austin FC on July 15th. But before that, they have the U.S. Open Cup ahead. On Tuesday, they face Sacramento Republic, and the chance to advance to the semifinals is at stake. "It's an opportunity to reach the Open Cup semifinals," Rusnák commented.