Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
What We Learned This Week with Niko Moreno: Looking towards Minnesota Game 3 and the bigger playoff picture
0 Plays2 seconds ago
Niko and Jeremiah with What We Learned This Week; The big topic was how the Sounders looked in training this week ahead of Game 3 vs. Minnesota. A bit of confidence showed after getting the proverbial monkey off their back with that 4-goal outburst in Game 2. Then the guys look at the bigger playoff picture and what that means for Seattle if they should advance after Saturday’s match.
Sponsor
🍷 Full Pull Wines: Love wine but not wine clubs? Check out the boutique wine seller who lets you browse their selections and pick whatever you want. You can join their mailing list here: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php
***
Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which has been primarily listener supported since 2023. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more here. You can also watch many of their shows on YouTube.
Aside from becoming a Sounder at Heart subscriber, you can also support the show by using this link to purchase MLS Season Pass or checking out our merch table to buy various shirt designs.
“Diversions” audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music here.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Guest Appearance
00:00:01
Speaker
Hi, I'm Will Bruin, and I was just recognized as a Seattle Sounders legend. Now I get to do voice reads for the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network. Here we go. Come on. Hey, O'Shaan.
00:00:14
Speaker
Let's go. The Seattle Sounders have done it. MLS Cup winners. Here comes Ruiz Diaz through the middle to crown it for Seattle.
00:00:25
Speaker
The Sounders rule the region.
Seattle Sounders' Strategic Decisions
00:00:27
Speaker
see of
00:00:59
Speaker
you know what was the thought process in terms of who you decided to use and who you didn't? Ever since I wrote a commentary that we didn't take the outcome seriously.
Sponsor Acknowledgment
00:01:18
Speaker
This episode of Nos Arietes is sponsored by Full Pull Wines, a Seattle-based wine retailer and proud sponsor of Nos Arietes since 2011. Full Pull was founded in 2009, is based in Seattle, and is owned and operated by longtime Sounder supporters.
00:01:32
Speaker
They offer the best boutique wines of the world to members of their mailing list, with special focus on their home, Pacific Northwest.
Nos Adietes Podcast Hosts Introduce Episode
00:01:42
Speaker
Welcome back to another episode of Nos Adientes on the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network. I am Jeremiah O'Shan. It is Friday. We're at Long Acres and I am joined by Nico Moreno on what we learned this week. How you doing, Nico?
00:01:56
Speaker
I'm doing great, Jeremiah. It's a
Sounders' Training and Recent Wins Discussion
00:01:59
Speaker
ah sunny and yet slightly cold. This is the PNW days that I love, right? when When the sun comes out and, you know, it's chilly, but just dry.
00:02:08
Speaker
It just feels like a good day. Training felt. It's like perfect training weather today. Perfect training weather. and And I don't know about you, Jeremiah, but I don't know. The the energy was positive. that You know,
00:02:22
Speaker
Very little training they did today because it was a light day. Just felt, you know, intense. But yet there was a, I don't know, just good vibes here at the training facility. the The thing that has sort of stood out to me this whole week is a sort of underlying confidence in their preparation I think the there was sort of a weight that was lifted off of them last in the last game where they you know they got those four goals. And honestly, getting the four goals is more important than the specific scoreline.
00:02:55
Speaker
The fact that they showed that they could do that and that there's not some mystical quality about about Minnesota United that is you know dominating them to get that first win of the season...
00:03:07
Speaker
I think sort of was a good reminder that, you know, they're, they're playing with a certain freedom. It's a weird situation. It feels to me like in a way they get to, they get to sort of live the life of an underdog, but have the confidence of a favorite.
00:03:24
Speaker
Do you know what mean? Like, absolutely and I, I think ah there's a lot more pressure internally, probably on Minnesota United, here ah but Even at home. Honestly, the fact that this game is in Minnesota may end up being in the Sounders' favor.
00:03:38
Speaker
I just got this overwhelming sense that this is a group that really believes in what they're doing right now. And I think the, although i I do believe they already have the confidence, I think that if they gained something out of this particular game, beyond the obvious, that is scoring four in a team that has a very stingy with defense and allowing goals. Only had given up four goals one other time this year, by the way. Which is a great stat.
00:04:05
Speaker
But to me, it was more impressive that... Seattle, a team that we have written, talked about the fact that they have let go of certain games and, you know, they've been equalized and things can take two goals in eight minutes in the first half in really just extra time. The first 45 go perfect. You give up two soft goals in minutes, possibly three because Rosales is missing that shot in front of goal.
00:04:34
Speaker
And then this other team can go into the locker room. Brian Smetzer can give his team probably guidance and composure to get him out there to perform in the way they did in the second half.
00:04:51
Speaker
To me, it gives them the confidence of saying, even when things go wrong, even when we allow certain mental lapses to happen, we can stay in the game and we can get out there and win it. So...
00:05:02
Speaker
that was something huge that thought happened in that game one that maybe it's not getting highlighted enough, but that I think goes into what you just mentioned, which is the overwhelming amount of confidence that i don't think they're trying to project is just the reality. right You and I see it because it's here, but if you are just someone listening to the scrums, and you you might not.
00:05:23
Speaker
It's more body language yeah and the way that they're, you know, you see them and it's not that they're saying anything that's, you know, bulletin board material or whatever. They're just talking about how, you know, we we know what it's like to
Game Strategy and Performance Analysis
00:05:35
Speaker
be in these situations. We know how important, you know, Jordan today had a ah quote about how we understand the importance of stacking little moments because you sort of, because you never know when those little moments are going to turn into a big moment, right?
00:05:48
Speaker
So it's winning your duels, connecting your passes, doing all the little stuff. It's not about hitting the home run ball. It's about doing all these little things that add up and add up. And then all of a sudden you're at the,
00:05:58
Speaker
You're at the end of it. And I said this on the show earlier this week, but I'll repeat it. I do think there's something to be said about the way this game played out, that it actually was a more ah bigger confidence builder for them to jump out to a 3-0 lead, to give up those two goals, and then to hold on, rather than if they had just won 3-0. Totally agree.
00:06:18
Speaker
Because if they had just won 3-0, you would just be like, okay, well, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and then Minnesota... Decided we don't have anything to play for and they packed it in, but that's not what actually happened. What happened is they got two goals back early.
00:06:31
Speaker
You know, they had the whole second half, the whole second half was competitive and the Sounders just said, no, we're not going to let you. I mean, Minnesota in some ways had better play in the second half. I think then they did in the first half and that they had more of the game.
00:06:46
Speaker
but they never had good looks. they never They never really challenged the Sounders. I mean, they made life difficult in some ways for the Sounders, but the Sounders were protecting a lead. They didn't need to go out and challenge Minnesota.
00:06:58
Speaker
i I think, you know, I know Minnesota after the game. Of course, they're going to tell themselves, well, we showed that we can get back and that was really important. I don't buy that at all. I think they they know exactly they know exactly that. they The fact that the second half was competitive and they weren't able to do anything in it,
00:07:14
Speaker
is i think if anything, a real confidence builder for the Sounders. Yeah, no, I think that's absolutely true. i do think that, You know, there is a possibility that the moments that did go well for Minnesota can um motivate or influence some changes for Eric Ramsey to maybe. But do we really think that's going to happen? That's the thing is that do we think do we really think Minnesota is going to come out and press? no, no, no, no. would say they're going to be more, they're going to take more gambles. So within the pragmatic way of, of just sitting back, I do believe that they're going to be selective on similar to this, which was in game two, more organic where it's like, man, we got to go chase this game. So let's really bring it for eight minutes.
00:08:04
Speaker
There might be moments in this game where they're like, let's go ahead and go for it for the, 10 minutes, nine minutes, and then let's sit back down, right? yeah i mean Just to kind of press him a little bit, make him uncomfortable.
00:08:16
Speaker
And I do believe that Seattle was so good at breaking them down that there's got to be some doubt in Ramsey, right? That we're not going to just be able to just sit in bunker because they just...
00:08:27
Speaker
completely took us apart. So if we continue to do that, we have to be able to do something. And and there are the personal changes, which I think are eminent. I think that your boat starts.
00:08:40
Speaker
I think the home one, it will play as a wingback because obviously the team that doesn't play with wingers, your wingback is going to be that guy that's going to go to the bench. And a team where can it go to the bench. um And one is a guy that when you do need him to get forward, he's just going to be so much more,
00:08:56
Speaker
electric, so much more elite, so much more effective that I feel like those are the things that are for sure going to come from Eric Ramsey. But going back to the whole point, I do believe that Seattle is going into this game with...
00:09:09
Speaker
a huge amount of confidence in a team that understands that with the way they played this game to the fluidity, the intensity, the numbers going forward, that they can easily go to Minnesota and and and get, get a result.
00:09:27
Speaker
ah Yeah, I would, I would agree with that. I think that the, that's where it's going to be interesting is sort of the, the chess game in the little tweaks that Minnesota might make because, It is notable that they've had probably three really good looks in this game.
00:09:42
Speaker
All three of those looks came off of counter or turnovers, really. and And they've shown that the Sounders at times can be a little sloppy and that they've taken advantage of the Sounders I don't know if it's fair entirely fair to call it sloppy. It's a overly aggressive like aggressive when they don't necessarily need to be.
00:10:00
Speaker
you know In the first half or to the first game, it was Yamar stepping to a challenge that he doesn't really need to step to, right? And they end up getting in behind. And this one, it was Jordan.
00:10:11
Speaker
Whether it would not it was Jordan's fault entirely, it's Jordan trying to make something happen on a play where he doesn't really need to make something happen. Again, Yamar in the the other chance is him.
00:10:23
Speaker
i don'tly It was him trying to make a play that he just doesn't have to try to make. and And so I do think Minnesota probably thinks that there are moments like that where they, especially if they can get the Sounders into a situation where they're getting a little desperate and they're pressing. Because I don't think the Sounders want this to go to penalties. I think Minnesota is probably a lot more comfortable. Oh, yeah. with Like Minnesota would be very happy to have this game end 0-0 and take their chances and penalties.
00:10:50
Speaker
I do not think for a moment that the Sounders feel the same way. No, they they want to be able to control this game for the majority of it. You're not going to have full control of it, but the tempo has to be run by the Sounders.
00:11:03
Speaker
ah the The way that the the Sounders want to possess, they have to be able to, one, defend themselves when they have possession and when they're offensively be patient and enough, but be able to, just like you did in game two,
00:11:19
Speaker
get those guys inside of those spaces without being receptible to just easy turnovers. So I do feel like Seattle is going to be more of a protagonist, but at the same time, when it comes to this Minnesota team,
00:11:36
Speaker
you need to not ah not let them get back into the game with what you just talked about.
Refereeing and Game Management Concerns
00:11:43
Speaker
Mistakes, ah set pieces, and something that I asked about today that I am a little bit concerned of is the referee. I mean, if you look back at that game too, man, I just saw it again this morning, and Jefferson Diaz is getting away with all kinds of stuff, pushing, stepping on people.
00:12:02
Speaker
i counted, I think, five fouls where he got a warning. Which is insane. So to me, I really hope that the Sounders are go into this game very composed.
00:12:12
Speaker
yeah So they don't allow a silly yellow or God forbid, a a silly red to completely ruin what they've been able to build in game two. And essentially just completely affects the game.
00:12:29
Speaker
Not to get sidetracked, i do and we didn't talk about this earlier in the week, so we may as well bring it up. What did you make of the no call on the Danny Masofsky challenge there? Was it Diaz that made that challenge? Yeah, it was Diaz. He was getting away murder. I thought it was ridiculous. I thought that it was... He doesn't play on the ball at all.
00:12:48
Speaker
He doesn't play the ball at all. I think he collides against the player. you know there're Again, Refereeing changes sometimes, and I feel like from referee to referee, but when I've spoken to referees in Colombia, there's always a, when it goes to those types of challenges, there is a way, if you're running with the ball carrier and you are trying to fight the ball 50 50 then that's allowed but he never gets next to him he he's diagonally coming in you can say it's shoulder to shoulder but he's not playing though he's he's not trying to win the ball he's trying to knock him off absolutely is wrong and then he extends his arm completely and almost hits him with the top part of his arm i just don't know how you don't
00:13:35
Speaker
see that as a foul. I was on the radio call for 1360 AM in Spanish and I cannot yell enough things into the mic. I went on to say that I think the referee did not just need glasses, but maybe binoculars and a telescope to call the game because he was just...
00:13:54
Speaker
Acting like nothing was going on. So just to conclude, I thought that it was absolute dark. So I thought that it was clear as day. And honestly, for this sort of situations, this coach should be concerned about the way some of these referees are handling the games because it's it' just so obvious.
00:14:14
Speaker
and And again, not to get too off off subject here, but and another example of that is sort of like the the willing The unwillingness of VAR to sometimes step into situations. You look at the Luis Suarez thing that he ended up getting suspended for, where he kicks he donkey kicks the Andy Nahar in the box.
00:14:34
Speaker
Now, Suarez is the attacker, so it wouldn't have been penalty, but that is a clear red card. It's a clear intentional move. Right, exactly. And so I don't understand why. If that's not VAR stepping in, what does VAR...
00:14:49
Speaker
bo And I love Miami going after Disco. Like, you guys are setting a precedent where ah you guys are – if the referee didn't catch it, how are you guys going back? Yeah, that's what this good that's what the disciplinary committee does, dude. That's the job, ain't it?
00:15:03
Speaker
I mean, am I crazy? No, I don't understand. I don't understand that argument. They are acting as if the disciplinary committee is not a thing, is not a thing that is regularly making rulings like this. Now, they aren't routinely handing down suspensions after the fact.
00:15:17
Speaker
But this is pretty egregious. And i and they certainly it's not without precedent.
Player Composure and Mental Resilience
00:15:22
Speaker
i i saw I heard somebody saying, well, if there's things like that that happen in every game.
00:15:28
Speaker
No, there are not. I'm sorry. There are not situations like that in every game that are going unpunished. This is a perfect example of this Millenary Committee stepping in and saying, VAR messed up here and they should have caught it. And this is this should be a red.
00:15:40
Speaker
Now, I'm not saying that's what should... like It would be different if they were stepping in and giving a red to Jefferson Diaz for the call on Misofsky. That's a little bit more of a gray area of like, look, the referees have to be allowed to call the game. But in this situation like like the Miami-Nashville game, that's... Because that's a soccer play, right? Jefferson Diaz is making a soccer play. exactly The other one is just...
00:16:03
Speaker
It's just him it just su being a shit. Again, nothing is sidetracked, but it really makes my blood boil how Inner Miami just enables his behavior. yeah I don't care...
00:16:17
Speaker
who he is. look He's a legendary player. I grew up watching him just be this monster striker, but that doesn't mean that he's not a piece of ass, right? I mean, it really is a guy that is out there just trying to hurt somebody. like Very strange.
00:16:35
Speaker
The way he swung that, I mean, that's not a soccer move. So, just to leave it at that, and getting back to the Sounders game, I do have some concerns because of the way that the games have been called, and You know, Brian talked about it today.
00:16:51
Speaker
There was this narrative and and the sounders have been caught up in moments where mentally there allows something like that to spark a an impulsive move.
00:17:02
Speaker
Danny Masovsky is going to likely start this game. He's, you know, enemy number one when he comes to that right next to Nuhu. So, you know, you do have to make sure that that is something that you're talking to the guys about. And I know Brian is going to be on the ball and he probably talked about it already, but I hope that After the question, he goes back and just reiterates, guys, let's make sure that we don't... We can't be taking off ball. Let's give them the game. I mean, it was... And the Obed... He mentioned Obed Vargas picking up the yellow card, which ends up not being super consequential. But that's the kind of thing... You can't just take a yellow card where you pick the ball up and then you toss it away. Kind of... And the thing that the worst part about the... Not to beat up on Obed here, but the worst thing about the Obed yellow is that...
00:17:50
Speaker
Minnesota is not even look but looking for a quick restart. They don't look for quick restarts, especially not in the first half. Not even when we're down. Right, exactly. So you don't need to do that. even you know Look, if it's late in the game and you're just trying to you know game you know do some gamesmanship or whatever, but that was Obed just being sort of not thinking about what he was doing. And that's the exact kind of card you cannot afford to take because, ah sure, he wasn't ejected in this game and it probably won't make a difference, but...
00:18:20
Speaker
you want to save those cards for fouls you need to make. You want to take a yellow when you need to stop a counterattack, not when you are just upset with something.
00:18:31
Speaker
and And that's where I'm going because that you you bring up a great moment there with what happened Obed because that led up out of frustration because the the referee was just not allowed was not only allowing way too much, but there is that moment when I think...
00:18:49
Speaker
ah Christian goes down with the hit of the head. yeah t Triantis is getting into it with. ah Gamar and um Albert Rusnak, and they're going at it and they're doing all these gestures.
00:19:01
Speaker
All of that was a build out eventually of just him being frustrated. So that's exactly where I went with my question is. They probably know that as well, right? Right. Trantes is a former Sunderland. You know, he's played and in the in the premiere.
00:19:17
Speaker
He understands that there is a little bit of sometimes you've got to get people of their game. So mentality is going to be, to me, just as important as anything else that Seattle will do offensively.
Sounders' Offensive Strategy and Player Roles
00:19:27
Speaker
Yeah. ah That said, this I think what we the other thing we learned in this week is the Sounders feel like they figured out something that works offensively. Correct.
00:19:36
Speaker
And they are going to do that. that's the That is plan A. It almost certainly is going to be Danny Masofsky starting up top again. And it's Jordan Morris out wide. I thought you had a really good interview, though, with Freddy Juarez this week. And if you haven't listened to it, I would urge everyone...
00:19:51
Speaker
to go on our YouTube page and find the interview with Freddy Juarez. But one of the things that he really does a good job of articulating is he's talking about the way the Sounders have been building this attack for three years. and Three years ago, they started this project of reshaping the way that they build out.
00:20:09
Speaker
And in year one... you know, they were really good at positional defending, but the attack was somewhat lacking. they made some They made some improvements last year. And then this year is really where they've been able to take it to a ah new level where they are effectively able to get five, six players into the attack on a regular basis. And he did a really good job, I thought, of explaining how they get those players into the attack and the balancing act.
00:20:32
Speaker
And one of the... The secret, i mean, not secret weapons, but one of the keys to making that work is that you have two double pivots who are both really good ah right attacking players.
00:20:44
Speaker
You know, we saw Obed score two goals. He almost scored a third. He has been a huge, even even though the numbers don't totally articulate it he has been much more effective as an offensive player this year than he has ever been before.
00:20:58
Speaker
But the other thing I really liked was the way that Christian rule christian had two secondary assists in this game, both of them driving into the box and sending in crosses. And that you have two double pivots who are capable of doing that kind of stuff is sort of almost like a ah secret, not again, like a superpower. it's It's something that allows you to do things that very few teams have two double pivots who are as good in the attack, but who can also defend in the way that Obed and Christian do.
00:21:28
Speaker
Yeah, i I completely agree with you. You know, Freddy was talking about how, you know, he he didn't even say we're we're good at it because he said we're still working on improving it.
00:21:39
Speaker
But getting a 3-1-6, so six players into the attacking end, which you can obviously call with one hand, right? You got your four attacking players of, you know, let's just call it 4-2-3-1. Mm-hmm. So obviously your, your, your striker, the three that come behind, and then you're right ah back, which is mostly Alex getting forward. And then one of those pivots.
00:22:02
Speaker
So that's six players making runs, you know, pushing, finding pockets, man, it's just, it's it's unreal. And and and I appreciated Freddie for taking the time. Cause he does do such a good job at elaborating everything.
00:22:17
Speaker
um And with that, what you just mentioned is how they're interchangeable, right? It's not just, usually that's the case where you have one out out of the two pivots who's a true six and he's going to completely stay back.
00:22:30
Speaker
And although Roldan is usually the guy that stays back, there are times where he pushes. If he's able, because this is all part of it, right? Seattle did such a good job pressing Minnesota that it was creating a lot of clearances. Those clearances, it depended who got to that 50-50 ball and if Seattle got it,
00:22:49
Speaker
Everybody was running. So Christian Roldan, in one of the goals, I forget which one it is, he picks up the ball. He's the one that pushes to the end line, crosses the ball, ends up in a goal, right? I it's the second the second of the two involved in. Maybe that's the second one. And it goes for everybody because I thought that there was a lot of freedom between Albert and Jesus Ferreira. They were interchangeable in their pockets.
00:23:15
Speaker
And I thought that it created a lot of chaos. And that's why I find it funny. you know i have a um we're not going to say his name, but that, you know, there's a guy who i constantly talk to on, on, on X, you know, he's a fan and he's always talking about how he'd rather not see Albert in and Albert has such a low stat line.
00:23:34
Speaker
The reality is is that you need both of those guys because they are interchangeable. And if Ferreira was able to get into those spaces, it's because he's not having to do the Albert role. So it's it's the Sounders superpower, as you call it, is collective play and is...
00:23:52
Speaker
cohesiveness And it's the the the fluidity and the sink of the way they're attacking the game. So that's all credit. And this is Nico Moreno, better known by some people as the Bryant's master hater.
00:24:06
Speaker
I think that he has done a great job at obviously with his coaching staff, getting it all worked out. ah improving it, and then executing it.
00:24:19
Speaker
and And that goes into also the mentality that he has put into the team. I love the fact that he challenged Obed. He said, look, you had you didn't have a good game one. You know what?
00:24:32
Speaker
How are you going to respond? He challenged Jesus. He challenged Jordan. All these guys came out and just had a baller of a game from the first minute. So that's credit to Brian because you're getting your guys the right time.
00:24:45
Speaker
mentality to perform and execute the game plan. And so I'm with it. I'm totally, I could not ask more of what the coaching staff has done to get this team where they are right now.
00:24:56
Speaker
And I thought one of the other things that Freddie did a good job of articulating is that it's one thing to say, we want to get numbers in the box. Everyone says that everyone said the trick is how you do that without suddenly becoming very vulnerable on going the other way, because you throw numbers forward Oftentimes what that means is that you're then scrambling.
00:25:16
Speaker
And the key to making, to being able to get those numbers in the box is the Sounders counter press. And it's winning those secondary balls and it's keeping the pressure on and allowing you to sort of build and build and build.
00:25:27
Speaker
And I believe all, well, certainly the two goals in the, The two goals that they scored, ah the second two goals that they scored were 100% the product of counter pressing.
00:25:39
Speaker
But the corner that they win to lead into the first goal is also the product of counter pressing. yeah And this is this is really the key to what the Sounders are able to do is if they can win those secondary balls, if they can, you know, and it's it's not always, you know, it's it's not always, you know, an interception where you're stepping in front of someone.
00:25:58
Speaker
It's forcing them into a clearance position. into a 50-50 and then winning the 50-50 that the Sounders did exceptionally well in this game was they won like every second ball. It was unreal. they I think they ended up winning like 65% of the duels, but everything that was contested was going their way.
00:26:16
Speaker
it was it was really impressive. And, you know, it's it looks different than what, you know, when when Minnesota scored their two goals, those are really them pressure. That's a different kind of pressure. That's, you know, essentially stealing the ball and and creating that and and getting numbers going the other way.
00:26:32
Speaker
But the... And it's like a fast break situation. The sounders aren't necessarily creating fast break situations. What they're creating is just overloads. Correct. and that's And that's what a little bit I feel like a little bit more sustainable in terms of just kind of getting numbers. Yeah, of course. And you know this is an interesting subject because I had a Minnesota a person come at me because I called Seattle Give Up Two Soft Goals.
00:26:56
Speaker
The Two Soft Goals is not an indictment on... you know Minnesota not deserving credit because they absolutely deserve credit for creating the opportunity, then making that opportunity and turning it into a goal. right and so When it comes to that sort of situation, that pressing and that particular moment, that is practice, right but that is a counter attack. right It's just picking up the ball, then everybody just gets forward and you create the moment. Seattle just doing it differently and it's more sustainable because it's so designed that it's just easier for it to happen.
00:27:32
Speaker
Yeah, you're not so much. what what i The way I look at is the Sounders are sort of forcing Minnesota into a defensive posture, and then they're overwhelming them. What Minnesota did on those is that they essentially almost lulled the Sounders into a fake sense of security.
00:27:47
Speaker
and and And so i soft, you're right, soft has a negative connotation. But I think what you're saying is that the Sounders sort of allowed that to happen to themselves. exactly It wasn't necessarily that Minnesota forced them into making these mistakes. Yeah.
00:28:01
Speaker
So exactly what it is. And that's what I was trying to explain to him is that when I say a soft goal is Brian uses a lot when it's a preventable goal, when it's a mistake on his de defense. It's more an indictment on the defense or or his team. And it is the kind of goal that the Sounders have been prone to giving up, correct especially in the post-Leagues Cup part of the schedule.
00:28:20
Speaker
You can go through the goals that they've allowed. You know you go back to the Miami game. They gave up a goal like that. I bet you we could find five or six goals at least that they've given up that were sort of like this. And so they are a little prone to giving those up those kind of goals. And I'll be honest, if the Sounders lose this game, it will probably because of a goal like that. yeahp Because that is that is sort of their weakness, is that they can sometimes get wrapped up in getting numbers forward.
00:28:45
Speaker
And as a result, they make decisions that are not always sound defensively. And that's that's sort of been the trade-off this year, is that you know they were so good at positional, at rest what they call rest defense,
00:28:57
Speaker
last The last two years where they almost always had numbers behind the ball ready to defend counters. And I think what they saw is that that was limiting their ceiling. And that was sort of making them a reactive team instead of a proactive team.
00:29:12
Speaker
And they have sort of flipped the, squid they've they've sort of like changed the dial on the ah the risk tolerance. And they've said, maybe we don't need to be so careful about defending counters and we need to just create more pressure. And that's led to them scoring a lot more goals.
00:29:27
Speaker
But the trade-off is you give up goals like this. Yeah. And sometimes you take that trade in, right? because I mean, it's much more it's more fun to watch. Exactly. And and it's worked. And, you know, that that's another ah part of this, another layer, if you will, ah of this Sounders team that has been impressive all year long because it's not something that's happening right now.
00:29:46
Speaker
And sometimes it doesn't even depend on who's on the field because the concepts are so in in yeah in ingrained in the players that, you know, you come and go and and really perform. Now, the the eliteness and the effectiveness in which you do it does change clearly when you don't have a Nova, when you don't have a Christian, when you don't have a Jordan. And so it changes little bit. But that that's all credit to the Sounders and the way they've been able to dial it up.
00:30:12
Speaker
Yeah. And kind of one of the funny things that this ah discussion came out of is you and I were talking about what formation were the Sounders playing yes in the in the last game? And was it a different was it really any different than it was in the first game?
00:30:24
Speaker
And, you know, on paper, they called it a diamond formation formation. I don't know if I really ever saw it that way, but you know, you look at the the heat maps and it looks maybe like a three, five, two.
00:30:35
Speaker
But I think one of the things that Freddie really articulated is look, whether it plays as a three, five, two or a four, two, three, one or a four, four, two, it's all about the principles of play. And the formation is going to look different depending on what we're able to do. Sure. If they are, if we have the ball on their end and we're able to press forward, it's going to look more like a three, five, two.
00:30:54
Speaker
If it looks, if we're having to defend a lot more, It's probably going to look more like a 4-2-3-1. Right. and And so that's really the only difference is not so much their starting formation. It's really more about what they're able to do with the ball.
00:31:06
Speaker
ah But they did. I think that what they did do differently in this game is that they said, look, we need to take more risks going forward. And it's been interesting because I still am not a believer that all things being against most opponents, that Danny Masofsky is the better option at forward.
00:31:23
Speaker
But against Minnesota, especially with the way that they play, I think it's been working out very well because it gives Jordan a lot more freedom to do other things. And Jordan seems like the kind of player who is able to exploit...
00:31:35
Speaker
you know Not necessarily in front of goal, but he's able to exploit some of the weaknesses of Minnesota, and that helps unlock ah unlock other things. And Danny is just... you know he's, he's very good at getting in the box, getting himself looks in the box.
00:31:49
Speaker
And, you know, Freddie talked about, there' are just some guys that, that smell where the ball may rebound. And, you know, he does that. I mean, you got to give him credit because he just is at the right place at the right time.
00:32:00
Speaker
I'm totally with you. I mean, I, I, I'm constantly going, or I find myself in conversations with, uh, Ari Lillenwald and Noah Reif who are the Danny Musovsky. They love Danny. Right. And,
00:32:13
Speaker
I definitely think that I don't... I'm a hater on Danny's side. It's hard for me sometimes, but I do agree with you that going back and re-watching game this morning, still think he had a very modest game, but I guess he's just occupying certain spaces that at least he's creating... He's in the box all the Exactly. And that's what maybe...
00:32:35
Speaker
allowing Jordan to do other stuff. And this works specifically with Minnesota. Exactly. Now I wouldn't see the same if it's San Diego. If it's San Diego and they they're going to have a lot more of the ball, I don't know that you can afford to exactly to do that. But look, they're not playing San Diego right now. They're playing Minnesota and this makes a lot of sense for Minnesota.
Western Conference and Playoff Outlook
00:32:54
Speaker
Well, let's take a little bit of a break. I want to... when we come back after I want to talk a little bit more about the Western conference in general and sort of how, what we've learned about the playoff field ah beyond the centers.
00:33:08
Speaker
um But you're listening to nos. Thank you for listening to the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network, which now includes Nos Adietes, Loving Scorchers, and The Cooler Guild. Although this podcast is free, it's only made possible through our paid subscribers.
00:33:22
Speaker
Plans start as low as $30 a year and allow us to remain independent and mostly ad-free. subscribers get access to all our written and podcast content, including a full text RSS feed and a mostly ad free podcast feed that includes every show in one spot. If you really like what we're doing though, I'd encourage you to sign up at our higher tiers, which include all sorts of various perks. The most popular of those is our members only discord or the real Sounders sickos hang out. I know I've called this group the smartest, funniest and best informed Sounders fans in the world, but it's more than the rough equivalent of a Sounders Mensa meeting. Discord is where we make things happen. Like, for real.
00:34:00
Speaker
You know the promotion the Sounders ran that offered fans the opportunity to trade in their messy jersey for a Paul Rothrock one? That originated in our community. You'll not only be the first to know about stuff, but you also have a semi-direct line to the movers and shakers at the Sounders organization. If you want to be one of the totally normal people who occupy the Sounder at Heart Discord, just become a supporter of Sounder at Heart. Anyway, thanks for listening, and go Ders.
00:34:26
Speaker
Nos Adietes admittedly is not exactly known for our spicy takes, but that doesn't mean we want our food to be mild.
Community and Sponsor Promotions
00:34:33
Speaker
Spice up your life with Hacks and Ferments. Handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest, they specialize in unique small batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars.
00:34:45
Speaker
Hacks and Ferments brings bold flavors and natural fermentation together for something truly special. Whether you're a heat seeker or just looking to elevate your cooking, you'll find something you love at haxanferments.com.
00:34:58
Speaker
That's H-A-X-A-N-F-E-R-M-E-N-T-S dot com. And right now, if you use the code sounder at heart, that's all one word, at checkout, you will get a free hot sauce with your order.
00:35:13
Speaker
Again, go to hacksandferments.com, use the code sounderatheart at checkout for a free hot sauce with your order. Hacks and Ferments is a proud sponsor of the Sounder at Heart podcast network.
00:35:28
Speaker
Welcome back to Nos Adietes on the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network.
Christian Roldan's Achievements and Influence
00:35:32
Speaker
All right. Well, before we get into the rest of the playoff field, there were a couple bits of news that were worth sharing.
00:35:40
Speaker
Christian Roldan was named MLS Best 11. He only, think he's the 11th different sounder to earn that honor. Yamar and Ruiz Diaz are the only two that have done it twice.
00:35:52
Speaker
But it's one of the any then he also got called into the U.S. national team. ah Reed Baker Whiting has also been called in the U21s. But what's I thought the most interesting thing about Christian getting into the national team or I'm sorry, getting into the best 11.
00:36:08
Speaker
is, you know, he is the him and Diego Chara are the only two players who earn their first best 11s 10 years or more into their MLS career. Wow, that's an interesting stat. And I think that what's interesting about that is that, you know, for so long, Christian Roldan has been sort of like this guy who Sounders fans love.
00:36:28
Speaker
who I think people who watch the league closely have always appreciated, but has this sort of under the radar, underappreciated type of moniker about him. And that seems to be getting blown out the window now because he's now he's getting all sorts of plaudits.
00:36:44
Speaker
And the irony there is that statistically, which is usually what people look at. Yes. He's had better years. Way better years. 2022 is the one that always comes up for me.
00:36:55
Speaker
But now that he is 10 years in, and it's funny that you mentioned Chara next to him because if there's any other player that's been a pillar for his club is… Diego Chara now he's done it specifically right in the midfield I think that Christian just the same has been a pillar for success I mean he's been incredible crucial fundamental for everything that Sounders have done regardless of position but yeah 10 years in now you're just giving him his his due credit and and and it's funny because he comes in a year where he's not
00:37:29
Speaker
creating a whole bunch of assists. He's not creating a whole bunch of goals. But you could just tell by the body of work, the amount of ah ground that he covers, the duality of his play, the leadership, everything about Christian Rodan this year, including the amount of minutes that he's just absolutely just...
00:37:48
Speaker
absorbed. It's it's crazy. And I feel like that has shown both at the US m's national team level, him getting called up again. I think it's great. As much as people still hate it, I think that he's a guy that this away from a a potential injury in the future, a closer closer to the World Cup, he's going to be in it.
00:38:08
Speaker
Yeah, at this point, I would be more surprised if he wasn't in the team than the he would absolutely is. Absolutely. So to me, it's just... It's important that that he does get that...
00:38:20
Speaker
ah validation. He probably doesn't need it because he's just that guy. but I feel like it's important. It's got to feel good. It's absolutely got to feel good that now finally people are recognizing it. They're seeing it.
00:38:33
Speaker
Something that you and I have said for a long time. I take constant heat and now I'm just looking for it. is you know the whole Him and Gio Reyna. I think Gio Reyna is a pecho frio. He has a huge iceberg in his chest and he's not a guy that I would build my you know national team around back in the national i'm a little shocked that he well he's been a bench player he's been riding the bench he's lack of minutes i mean all this stuff and i guess you know i understand that he's talented but the the the way people just like oh i would take a hundred times more of uh geo than i would of a christian land i was like man that team will dominate you you give me 11 christian rodans versus geo reyna's that's not a competitive game yeah it's crazy. But anyways, I just wanted to throw that jab out there, but regardless of, I'm just happy to just sit here and be able to, you know, applaud him and, and just give him that, that credit that maybe people haven't seen in the past. And, you know, he talked about it this week that, you know, he's taking parts of ah the game from so many players, Gonzalo Pineda and Osvaldo Alonso
00:39:39
Speaker
the eric freebrow what threw me off i know that me too yeah i i had no idea so you know everything you know he's a very methodical guy and i do believe that you know and i've heard it from gonzo himself that you know he would sit there watch video and and you know he got that from gonzo and just a whole bunch of things that if you could develop your game and you can always feel like you can grow you know sky's the limit and i feel like that's what we're seeing in I know you're 30. How old is he? He's 38. He's 38. Craziness, man.
MLS Playoffs Overview
00:40:09
Speaker
Yeah. All right. Well, let's zoom out a little and and talk about what we've learned in from the MLS playoff field. I guess there is a game tonight, but there is so far only three teams have qualified for the next round.
00:40:22
Speaker
ah That's the Philadelphia Union, LAFC, and Vancouver. But the thing that's jumped out to me, and I don't know, I always thought the field was reasonably open, but it's it's even more wide open, I think, than i thought.
00:40:37
Speaker
Like, if the Sounders can get out of this round, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't feel like they have as as realistic of a shot at MLS Cup as anyone. And I say that about teams in the West.
00:40:50
Speaker
I say that about teams in the East. There are no teams right now who, to me, look unbeatable. ah ah do you feel the same way or is it like, or your prior is still standing up?
00:41:03
Speaker
No, it's something that I've learned this, ah this week. I really have. ah i just, I really had it in my mind that, you know, both sides, West and East, there were, you know, it was a two team race on on each side and that was it. Right.
00:41:20
Speaker
And I still love Vancouver. ah You know, they are a team that, you know, seems to be balanced, to have all these things, but, There was an injury to Daniel Rios. He might be out. of They still don't know. Brian White's still not fully back. Tristan Blackman's still not fully back. Ryan Gold still isn't fully back. they There's some questions there. Yeah, and they got pushed to the limit by a Dallas team that, look, give them their flowers for finding some traction, but they're not this amazing team. No. So they really got pushed to the limit by a team that's okay.
00:41:53
Speaker
And on the other side, LAFC, which was the other juggernaut, The first game against Austin, they look very mortal. Now they went and they handled a business in the second game. But even then, you look back, Ozuni misses a PK that could have put in, I think it was 2-1 at the time.
00:42:11
Speaker
um i mean, there were so many missed opportunities by a toothless, really, Austin FC. I mean, they were giving away penalties like candy against, ah like, Bucs.
00:42:23
Speaker
Yeah, it was very strange. ah The thing about LAFC for me, and I've been saying this for a while, look, Sun and Bwonga are monsters. They are almost surely the two, the best attacking tandem in league history.
00:42:38
Speaker
But I just am totally unconvinced that this team has anything outside of them. Like, I just am not. If for some reason you can, if you can bottle them up, they are very vulnerable.
00:42:49
Speaker
Yeah, if you if you don't give those two monsters real estate to run into, you don't you know make easy turnovers where they're going to get in the race. think they've got good players. I love Tillman. I think Delgado has been excellent for that team specifically.
00:43:05
Speaker
Obviously, they missed DeJesus. He was out for the season. but But still, they've been able to manage. I think Segura... He's been a guy that regardless where you put him, whether he's in the back line or a little bit higher, has been big.
00:43:16
Speaker
But I'm with you. I think I was under this. And they went on a streak. i mean, you can't. They did. They went on a streak. But it was also almost entirely powered by Sun and Wonga. A hundred percent. So, you know, sometimes that's easy to kind of go against. So all all all around, I feel like I do feel like this is an open race on the West.
00:43:35
Speaker
You could even say that about the East. ah You know, Philly already took care business against Chicago, but that was also very circumstantial game. Chris bay Brady doesn't start that game. It was two huge mistakes by the goalkeeper that were like...
00:43:48
Speaker
You would see it in a blooper reel. Yeah. Probably both of those in the not top 10 of the week. ah So it it's really something that is said about right now. If the Sounders were to push their way through Minnesota and they could be a contender. Yeah.
00:44:04
Speaker
Yeah, and because San Diego has looked really vulnerable against Portland. i wouldn't i don't think Portland is going to spring the upset in this, but I wouldn't be totally shocked if they did.
00:44:15
Speaker
ah and San Diego will also most likely be without CJ Dos Santos, their goalkeeper, who I guess broke his cheekbone, I think is what they... I mean, it was brutal. He just got kicked right in the face.
00:44:26
Speaker
ah But they've just not looked... you know they I don't really know that they have a clear answer at the number nine... They, you know, when they play, they, they look good, but I am not convinced that this is a team that is unbeatable.
00:44:41
Speaker
So I like the Sounders chances again, you know, if they get through, i like either of their changes, either they're going to be hosting Portland or they're going to be going down to San Diego. And frankly, I'll take that.
00:44:51
Speaker
And then on the other side, it's Vancouver versus LAFC Vancouver. You know, I said this to, I said this earlier this week, but I like Vancouver in this series.
00:45:05
Speaker
If you told me one of these teams is going to win 3-0, I think it's much more likely to be Vancouver. Vancouver feels a little bit more like a machine. You can take pieces out and it still works. I would agree. And I think that that matches up pretty well with LAFC.
00:45:19
Speaker
you know But at the same time, if you're telling me that the Sounders have a chance to go to MLS Cup by going to Vancouver, i don't mind that. I'll take that my chances there too. But I will say that Thomas Mueller has really...
00:45:33
Speaker
I think changed the whole conversation around Vancouver. And I think it's actually pretty cool because the thing, and the thing that really convinced me of this was after Vancouver ah lost to Dallas in the season finale, they asked Mueller, well, do you feel like this gives Dallas a lot more confidence going into this? And he said, I don't know why it would. We outplayed them for 80 minutes down a man. Yeah.
00:45:58
Speaker
And I just feel like that, that sort of swagger and this like Mueller is not here to play around. He's here to win trophies. And I mean, he's like great. He has been, ah you never know what you're going to get when you bring in a player like that, but you don't, but he's been everything you could have possibly asked. And I've been very impressed. I was not a fan of the move. I really didn't think that he had this sort of ah commitment. Yeah, I was not. I agree. And getting these guys going in the right direction. He's a coach on the field. So many times you see him just get on the ball and kind of rally the troops, traffic control. Hey, let's slow it down. Hey, let's be careful.
00:46:32
Speaker
A couple of times and the team was too rushed. They missed the ball and it was a... turnover he's yelling at him just don't do that he's just a guy that affects the game in so many ways and i also feel it's important to what you just said you know they've been with all the porta they they they deal with just so many injuries so many ways pre so at times now you don't even know who they're going to really match up think kenji cabrera coming off the bench has been very very good they got jay nelson coming off the bench just being a guy that's going to terrorize you uh you know out wide with all his speeds and
00:47:07
Speaker
pace abuser so they do have a lot of things i like vancouver you know they were my pick to win the whole thing in my bracket you know that we've discussed in the past uh i still like it you know i said it on um on thursday with uh sucker down here i was like they they they're my uh sexual chocolate uh led by mr randy watson They play so fine.
Columbus vs. Cincinnati Playoff Preview
00:47:29
Speaker
Won't you agree? Every time I see him, I just did the play so fine. You know, it's just it's great to see him play.
00:47:34
Speaker
ah And he seems to be, at least in my opinion, something that could really limit what LAFC does. and And yeah, that's why I think that Vancouver is definitely probably going to take that.
00:47:46
Speaker
And then on the East, we have Cincinnati and Columbus. That's been a very competitive series. Columbus won game two, four, zero. The game goes back to Cincinnati. ah Columbus seems to sort of have Cincinnati's number a little bit.
00:48:01
Speaker
And then what's, what is the other series It's Charlotte, New York. Charlotte, New York. New York should have won that second game. Kalina had a baller of a game. yeah They are lucky, in my opinion, to push that to P.K.' 's, and then they win it in the P.K.'s. But New York, to me, still is the better team.
00:48:18
Speaker
ah What they do ah progressively with the ball, and it's a lot simpler for them to get from point A to point B than it is for Charlotte. They just struggle so much to get the ball forward. They depend so much on Saha.
00:48:31
Speaker
Mm-hmm. I'm not a Saha guy. I feel like he does more with the mic than with the ball. I feel like it's all about Saha, team Saha. Yeah. And I don't say that, but don't say that. Oh yeah. He's going to come at Yeah. You i can't say that. You're not allowed to say that. But ah the reality is that,
00:48:47
Speaker
New York is the better team and I'm always going to go for the better team. And and I think that they'll get the best out of, out of Charlotte. ah But you know, it is a little bit wide open there. And in Miami, Nashville, now no Luis Suarez in that one.
00:49:01
Speaker
Nashville, i thought had a great game plan in game two. I thought that they outplayed him in many ways. They've created the better early chances in both games ye in all three games that they've played each other. i agree and what And really, it comes down to whether or not Nashville can actually finish those chances because they are creating plenty.
00:49:20
Speaker
Like Miami's defense is ah and is is is bad. And you know they have they do it they're they are the team with the nuclear generator, the only team with the nuclear generator that is ah messy.
00:49:32
Speaker
And that gives you a certain kind of ah advantages no matter what you what messes you get yourself into. But they are not, you know, we saw it here. They are not unbeatable.
00:49:43
Speaker
i I would not be at all surprised if Nashville ends up pulling an upset there. No, Sam Sears needs to do more. that That's three games against Inter-Miami has one goal and he came up with a PK. ah He needs to be a killer inside the 18.
00:49:59
Speaker
They have to be able to take advantage of those ah moments that Miami needs. Rojo DePaul has been as underwhelming as anything, in my opinion. I mean, he's been meh to me the whole time.
00:50:12
Speaker
ah i heard Franco Peniso had something about him flying to Argentina to watch a concert after they lost game two. i mean Oh, really? He's so like nonchalant about things.
00:50:27
Speaker
And then I think they asked everyone Chirana about it. and He's like, well, I don't tell guys what to do with their private life. That's fine. That's fine. and If you want to be that guy, but don't be surprised if guys aren't committed when he's taking a trip to Argentina. How long is a flight from Miami to Argentina? I mean, probably nine hours, ten hours yeah at the very least. I mean, it's... yeah i mean that's a lot That's a lot of extra miles to just throw in your potty for no reason. Right. it just And beyond that, just the mentality component. like yeah You're really not all but in. I mean, this game three of a playoff game. It's the total opposite of Mueller, right? Right. Mueller, way bigger career. Exactly.
00:51:01
Speaker
Way bigger career. World Cup winner as well. and And you got to really go to Paul Younger and he's going to do whatever. I mean, it's just the difference of like what you get out of a superstar sometimes. Yeah.
00:51:13
Speaker
Who do you like in that Columbus Cincinnati series at this point? I still like Cincinnati. I think Columbus did. i I think that they were very... um ah fortunate to get the game the way went. I think the red card flipped the game on its head. um Opportunist is what I think that Columbus was in that game, but I still don't know if they have enough offensive power to make it on a second game.
00:51:40
Speaker
i don't know if Cincinnati is going to give them as much as they did. And honestly, it was a Cincinnati team with no intensity. I feel like at home, they're going to be able to just put it together.
Podcast Conclusion and Community Engagement
00:51:50
Speaker
All Well, that's a good place, I think, to call this. Nico, thank you again for joining us. You can follow him on Blue Sky, El Rolo, and W. of course, doing Pool Slow Sports.
00:52:01
Speaker
As you're seeing this week, he also does video content for Sounder at Heart on YouTube. ah He's, of course, on Lobbing Scorchers. Nico, thank you again for joining me. No, no problem. I think that the what the last thing I have in my notes here that I don't know if we touched on is just another thing that we learned this week that is important for you guys to know is that the team is as healthy as it can be.
00:52:22
Speaker
Alex Rodan seems to be totally okay, which I think most people knew. Kim Ki-hee has been full-on practice, although you haven't heard what he's at. Ryan Kent full-on. Aside from, obviously, Pedro and Arreola, mean, the team is as healthy as it gets. Yeah. Which bodes well for ah if they can get out of this round again. that It gives them options going forward.
00:52:43
Speaker
I will also add one more note. We're doing a ah watch party tomorrow, Saturday at Fast Fashion in Soto. It's on Sounder at Heart if you want to get more information about it. If you RSVP, we'll give you some stickers. Yay! If you show up and we should have a good time, you know, they have good pizza, good beer.
00:53:04
Speaker
And you know it's a one o'clock start. It's an all ages venue. It's obviously free to attend. And we hope to see everybody. And if you do, please come say hi. Yeah, I will try to stop by. My daughter has a game in Starfire at 2.45.
00:53:18
Speaker
two forty five So I might try to just make a quick stop and then head over to Starfire. 2.45. You're going to miss the post game. I know. I know. It's part of being a soccer dad. Yeah. Exactly. What's the start of our year today when it felt like the sky was going to fall because it was raining so hard. But yeah. But thank you, Jeremiah. Thank you to the audience. It's always great to just sit here and chat it up about the Sounders.
00:53:43
Speaker
Absolutely. All right. You're listening to, or I'm Jeremiah Shan signing off for No Sardietes, part of the Sounder at Heart podcast network. And we will catch you next
00:54:21
Speaker
Let's go at Sounders. um