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Obed Vargas has leveled up in the MLS Cup playoffs at the perfect time
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Game 2 vs Minnesota has everyone feeling pretty good! Aaron and Jeremiah recap the match, a 4-2 victory that was a little closer at times than it should’ve been. They discuss and praise the decision to start Musovski in this matchup. They even expressed confidence going into the upcoming pivotal Game 3 at Allianz Field.
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Transcript
Celebrating Will Bruin and Sounders' MLS Triumph
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.
Player Choices and Match Strategy
00:00:29
Speaker
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.
Nos Arietes Sponsorship and Sounders Support
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.
Introducing the Hosts and Episode Overview
00:01:42
Speaker
Welcome to another episode of Nos Adietas, part of the Sounder at Heart podcast network, sponsored by Full Pool Wines, Hacks and Ferments, and our subscribers. We're recording on Tuesday, November 4th. I am your host, Jeremiah O'Shann. Today, I'm joined by Aaron Campo and our engineer, Lickett.
Sounders vs Minnesota United: Game Highlights
00:01:57
Speaker
Well, the Sounders are backed even thanks to a 4-2 win over Minnesota United on Monday, setting up a decisive Game 3 on Saturday. The Sounders struck early and often, building a 3-0 lead through the kind of box crashing they couldn't muster in Game 1.
00:02:13
Speaker
They then gave up a couple goals in stoppage time, kind of put it in cruise control in the second half, though. Picked up another goal. Either way, they're going to have to essentially repeat that to get a win.
00:02:27
Speaker
But Aaron, i have to imagine you're feeling a lot better about their chances after that performance.
Scoring Strategy and Game Management
00:02:34
Speaker
Yeah, i I think that the thing we were were hoping to see was them to sort of deliver on some of the promise they showed in the attacking phase in the last game.
00:02:44
Speaker
And they did that and then some. I mean, putting up four goals against the Minnesota team who who has ah ah extremely good defense. um is is impressive and i think the thing that it really showed is that this is a team where if you get one and you put them in a situation where they have to score things can cascade from there like they are so used to playing with an even or positive game state that they really really struggle and they fall behind defensively so um yeah a really decisive performance um the the two goals they gave up were certainly unfortunate and and frustrating but you know
00:03:18
Speaker
um that's just kind of been the team this year. and They, they have given up goals like that. they It's, yeah it's not something you want to see obviously, but you know, I'll take a four, two win no matter how it comes.
Defensive Strategies Against Minnesota
00:03:33
Speaker
Right. ah This has been, you know, my theory on where those goals came from is the Sounders geared up so much to play against a sort of low block defense that they, you were a little unprepared for the dramatic change in game state when all of a sudden Minnesota felt like they had to press.
00:03:58
Speaker
And both goals, i I don't know if they're, and that's the thing though, it's like the goals didn't necessarily come from them pressing as much as it just came from the Sounders being a little sloppy with the ball.
00:04:10
Speaker
That said, you know they it did look like it was going to fall apart there and in first half stoppage time because after the second goal, Minnesota got another turnover that ah led to a decent look.
00:04:23
Speaker
Now, it didn't happen. But to the Sounders' credit, like they they absolutely managed the second half. ah Minnesota did not take a single dangerous shot in the second half. they The Senators won 69% of the duels.
Tactical Changes: Diamond Formation
00:04:37
Speaker
They had something like 65% of possession. they create you know The Senators didn't shoot a but they didn't give ah Minnesota very many opportunities to do much. They only gave up one corner.
00:04:51
Speaker
They only committed four fouls. Essentially, they just they clipped the loon's wings, if you will allow me this ah little turn of phrase. ah The Sounders, I thought this was a very professional performance.
00:05:04
Speaker
I'll note that Minnesota had only given up four goals once this year, and that was... way back in June when they gave up four to San Diego. So this is pretty rare company for the Sounders to be in And i don't know. I feel really good about a lot of stuff, but we, we may as well start with the biggest change the Sounders made, which was to alter their formation.
Evaluating Tactical Effectiveness and Future Matches
00:05:32
Speaker
Now on paper, they were saying this was ah diamond formation. i think it,
00:05:39
Speaker
You could talk yourself into it being 4-2-3-1. The heat map or the – yeah, like the heat map, basically, the average – yeah, the the heat map. ah Maybe you could call it a three five two Either way, Jordan Morris and Danny Masofsky started together, I believe, for the first time this year.
00:05:59
Speaker
What did you make of that change and and how much – how likely – how much do you want to see it going forward? So this was a topic of discussion today in our discord, which of course you can gain access to by signing up as a subscriber at the supporter level or above.
00:06:15
Speaker
ah And you made a ah great point. Well done. I thought. Thank you. ah Which was that I think that this look makes a lot of sense against Minnesota. And I think that the reasons that it makes sense against Minnesota were were very evident.
00:06:27
Speaker
Yeah. In this game, um you've got ah just more options, more attacking options, more people to keep track of in the box. And the way you have to break Minnesota down is a lot different than the way you have to break other teams down.
00:06:40
Speaker
So I do want to see this lineup where, you know, close variation of this lineup. ah Hopefully Alex can go, but, um you know, otherwise I would just run the same lineup out against Minnesota. If they get past Minnesota on Saturday and they have to play San Diego,
00:06:56
Speaker
I don't know that I'd want to see this
Lineup Decisions and Matchup Effectiveness
00:06:58
Speaker
line up. I think that there's there's a reason that they had so much success this year playing a different system. ah But Minnesota is a team they struggled with. Right. They lost. That's the only home loss of the year was to Minnesota.
00:07:11
Speaker
ah Zero goals in either game in Minnesota. It's a team. They've just have had trouble figuring them out. And so I think that now you've got this proof of concept that this works.
00:07:21
Speaker
ah And I think you'd be crazy to change too much for the game on Saturday. and But. if they can get into the next round, I'm just not convinced it's the best way for them to line up. I would, I would echo basically all of that. And i really, i was a little skeptical of this change at the start of the week when people were kind of suggesting it, suggesting it, but I have to admit it, it worked about as well as it, it could, you know, Morris
Jordan Morris: Key Performances and Mistakes
00:07:50
Speaker
was, is a much more dynamic player
00:07:53
Speaker
than Mussovsky, but Mussovsky is really good at finding that space. You know, he he scores a goal in this game where he essentially is, again, just putting himself in the right spot.
00:08:06
Speaker
And I think he is exceptionally good at that. And against Minnesota, you need someone like that who's just going to be sort of hanging out around the box, being dangerous, putting himself into advantageous positions.
00:08:22
Speaker
and And it gives Morris a little bit more freedom to go find the ball to... you know yeah On the ah the the corner that they end up scoring the first goal in, it's Morris making a run into the box and winning that corner.
00:08:36
Speaker
i Morris obviously scores the second goal where he you know is essentially... In the way of a Jesus Ferreira goal, but he gets a he gets a real touch on it.
00:08:48
Speaker
And, you know, I think it's a deserved goal. He's in the right place at the right time. no no reason to to take that away. And then on the third goal, I believe he was involved in that one, too, ah making, again, a decent run to help open up space.
00:09:03
Speaker
And I liked what Jordan Morris was doing in this game. He did have... He was involved in the first goal that they allowed where I don't... You know, I think the knee-jerk reaction was to sort of put that one on Morris.
00:09:17
Speaker
I'm... I'm not going to absolve him of blame. He deserves some blame on that one. But to me, that was more about him being aggressive and him trying to get out on the counter and being maybe a little careless with the ball.
00:09:31
Speaker
Uh, but it was an under hit pass from Obed Vargas. And then the Sounders had multiple opportunities to snuff out the counter before it was, it got really dangerous and they just didn't do a very good job of that.
00:09:43
Speaker
Uh, But yeah, I mean, overall, what did you make of of Morris's performance? I'll add that he scored. it That was his 10th goal that ties in with Denny Buonga for the most among active players. ah But other than that, yeah he also I should also add that he also now has the sole lead in Sounders franchise history for
Morris' Role in Sounders' Defense
00:10:03
Speaker
playoff goals.
00:10:03
Speaker
But what did you what didd you make of Jordan? Yeah, i thought I thought he was good. um That probably won't shock people to hear that. I thought Jordan Morris had a good game, but i do i You know, I thought that's I'm... i'm think it's pretty well established that I think Jordan is a striker and that's his best position, but I understand his role in this game on the wing and really he's playing more but of an inside forward position anyway.
00:10:27
Speaker
um I think against again against Minnesota, the matchup and what it called for it. I thought that it made sense. um One of the the major areas where Jordan has is just to make a very clear upgrade on Musavsky is defensively. And I thought Jordan had a really good game defensively.
00:10:44
Speaker
And they don't need that defense from the central forward spot as much against Minnesota. Like, it's just not there. They're not going to be pressing as much. it's just not the the game state is not really going to call for it too, too much. So um so I think, you know, getting him in a position where his defense can can also be.
00:11:03
Speaker
ah contributing factor is is a positive. And I do think that he, his movement on the right is very good. I think that he's typically better on the left, but I think for whatever reason, it's just worked having him on the right the the last couple of games.
00:11:17
Speaker
um He, you know, he he just, he he made things happen. um Having that threat to counter, they don't get that opportunity often, but having somebody on the wing that can stretch plays is certainly very nice.
00:11:31
Speaker
And yeah, I thought he was good. Again, I'm hoping, you know, if the Sounders get through to the next round that he's back central. against San Diego or or Portland. But I think for the matchup, ah it made sense.
00:11:45
Speaker
And, you know, he got a goal. I believe he got an assist. He didn't get an assist, but
Counterattacks and Strategic Game Decisions
00:11:51
Speaker
he didn't get an assist. yeah But, you know, I thought he played really well, very involved.
00:11:57
Speaker
The one mistake ah was certainly unfortunate, you know. um But I do think, like you said, that laying that entirely on his feet is a little... A little bizarre considering how many failures there were on that play.
00:12:09
Speaker
Yeah. and And there were, you know, yeah, there we don't have to necessarily unpack all of that. i think Schmetzer was effectively correct in that he wasn't super worried about those goals because he just didn't think it was going to happen again.
00:12:30
Speaker
ah yeah I agree, but also the Sounders have now, you know, an inordinate number of their goals feel like they are coming directly off of turnovers. ah Turn it allowed. That is the goals that they've been giving up.
00:12:43
Speaker
ah So yeah I wouldn't say it's so without concern, but I am willing to. no I don't think ah this is not something I'm going to get worked up over, I guess is my point. Right.
00:12:55
Speaker
ah Yeah, I think I think the the second goal as well, you know, Gamer has had a lot of success dribbling through traffic and starting counterattacks. And it's kind of like Reagan will occasionally miss hit an aggressive pass and then will turn into a dangerous counterattack. Right. But he doesn't miss hit, you know, 200 more.
00:13:14
Speaker
And it's a huge part of the way you attack. Right. So it's just like you kind of have to same with Jordan trying to make something happen on that counterattack. If he makes that pass successfully. Right. It's, you know, a lot of trouble for Minnesota. If Yamar is able to find the space to to make another pass and get the ball into a dangerous area, the dribble makes sense.
00:13:33
Speaker
um And it was just kind of bad timing. And then everyone behind them not really doing their job that that really contributed to it. Yeah, I think my bigger complaint about both those turnovers was more...
00:13:48
Speaker
um sort of miscalculation of the game state. The Sounders are already up three zero. It's first half stoppage time. You don't really need to be pressing the action at that point. Like, sure. Very true. Getting getting a fourth goal would be nice. It would, you know, really put the game away.
00:14:06
Speaker
But the risk reward there feels just a miscalculation. i they They don't need to be pushing for another goal at that point in the game. I mean, if they take that into halftime up three zero.
00:14:22
Speaker
there's every reason to feel like the game is effectively over at that point.
Obed Vargas: Rising Playoff Star
00:14:26
Speaker
So I think that's the one thing that I would that i would critique about both of those situations. But there was a lot positive, and I think that the way they reacted to though giving up those two goals in the second half was really one of those big positives.
00:14:41
Speaker
ah One of the players who I thought, maybe had the biggest, had the biggest role to plan. That was Christian Roldan who, you you know, gets two secondary assists in this game. He, you know, he helped set up both of the, the first two goals. I think it was actually even his pass that sets up the corner on the, the first goal.
00:15:02
Speaker
But he was everywhere this game. He was every bit the best 11 quality player that he has been all year. And I think it really showed, you know between him and Obed Vargas, it really showed a significant advantage that the Sounders can potentially have.
00:15:20
Speaker
you know, for as long as they're alive in the playoffs is that they are just both capable of covering so much ground and being real two way players in the way that I don't think any other two central midfielders in MLS are right now.
00:15:36
Speaker
Yeah, I think that the midfield really is a cheat code. And, you know, Obed especially has Christian. We almost take for granted, i think, at this point. yeah um But Obed has really down the stretch just really started blossoming as a player. You know, it's gone from at the beginning of the season, sort of like we put up with some of the stuff Obed does because we know how good he can be.
00:15:59
Speaker
And it's important for him to continue to sort of develop to now, like it's almost impossible to imagine this team without him, you know, and in the midfield. And I thought he had an outstanding game aside from the, you you know, his, his part in the first goal, the first Minnesota goal, I should say.
00:16:16
Speaker
i Very, very close to a hat trick. Right. Which is I mean, he's he's never been ah much of a goal scorer. So right for him to get a brace and and hit the woodwork on a third, I think, is really speaks to his development. And he just has a confidence about him now that he's sort of been growing into since the Club World Cup. I think that that was kind of a he was one of the players, I think, that really leveled up during that tournament.
00:16:39
Speaker
Yes, it's sort of like flip the switch for him. And I think he's just been kind of growing into into himself since then. And it would be great for him to have a monster playoffs, you know, because you got to figure that there are some eyes on on the playoffs. And ah if he is going to be leaving in the offseason, it'd be really nice for him to go out on you know a high note if he can continue putting in performances like this. But, you know, even even after Leiva came in, I thought he looked great in his limited
Midfield Performance as Success Key
00:17:05
Speaker
time.
00:17:05
Speaker
ah The sounders have just. the it's, they've had some great midfields over the years, you know? um But I think this one, when it's, when it's humming is, is really something special, probably the best they've ever had, I think.
00:17:20
Speaker
yeah and you can even throw Albert Rusnak into the mix there as well when you're talking about the the midfield. He did not have a huge game from a production standpoint, but he was just quietly very effective, I thought.
00:17:33
Speaker
ah Certainly someone who I've been very happy with in in the way that he's played really during this. you know he He hasn't had any moments that stood out, but he just has been solid, solid, solid, I felt like at least.
00:17:48
Speaker
ah throughout this. ah Yeah. One of the other interesting developments in this game though was late in the second half, you know, maybe around the
Goalkeeper Substitution for Penalties
00:17:59
Speaker
eightieeth minute or so when all the Sounders are getting ready to, they're warming up and they're getting ready to go in, there was a somewhat surprising addition to that group.
00:18:11
Speaker
Andy Thomas was kind of going through the warmups was, you know, going looking like the Sounders maybe were actually preparing to bring him in if that game went to penalties.
00:18:24
Speaker
ah It ended up being moot. Of course, ah the Sounders... end up using their final sub on Osoza de Rosario in the 90th minute. But at that point, it was already 4-2. Yeah.
00:18:35
Speaker
yeah And Brian was asked about this in the post-game press conference, and he was not really, he was not excited to to entertain the question, basically said, you know, I'm going to do what I'm going to do. We'll see what happens.
00:18:50
Speaker
And was really trying not, I mean, it's it's an interesting line that he's trying to to walk. I have suspected that he didn't, want to entirely close the door on this possibility.
00:19:01
Speaker
And look, i don't see what other reason there would be to be warming up Thomas, unless you, you think there's at least a possibility you might bring him in.
Sounder at Heart Community Promotion
00:19:10
Speaker
Thank you for listening to the sounder at heart podcast network, which now includes no study at this loving scorchers and the cooler guild. Although this podcast is free, it's only made possible through our paid subscribers 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.
00:19:56
Speaker
Discord is where we make things happen. Like, for real. 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.
00:20:25
Speaker
Nos Adietes, admittedly, is not exactly known for our spicy takes, but that doesn't mean we want our food to be mild.
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Speaker
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00:21:12
Speaker
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Mental Preparedness and Breaking Defense
00:21:27
Speaker
Yeah, because there's no advantage to warming up the guy that you think is better in penalties and then not putting him in. Like that's not that's not an effective kind of mind game to play. um Maybe it's a situation where he said, I'm just going to warm him up and see what the vibes are.
00:21:44
Speaker
If right it's that point, you know, maybe he hadn't fully made up his mind. I don't know. But it definitely I feel like a lot of people took his comments about it after the last game to mean he would never entertain the thought.
00:21:57
Speaker
i And yeah, I did not take that way. I did not. I think that you're right. i know A lot of people did take it that way. i I did not read it that way at all. I think that if he I think the easiest thing in the world for him to come out and say is I'm not going to do that if he's not going to do it.
00:22:11
Speaker
And he definitely did not say that. So it was very interesting. Yeah, very interesting. I'm glad it didn't come to that. I will. I will definitely say that. and Yeah, absolutely. Very glad it didn't come to it. And I hope I i really hope it doesn't come to it.
00:22:26
Speaker
Again, i would i do not relish the possibility of of this series being decided in penalties at all. I would much rather win it outright.
00:22:37
Speaker
and And I think the performance in this game sort of flips the script a little bit. I actually wrote in my column this week about how there was seeming this almost mystique about Minnesota's defense and the sound and the...
00:22:52
Speaker
like minnesota I think part of it was Minnesota had sort of told themselves this narrative that it's okay that we keep giving up not just possession, but the the better chances to to the Sounders because this is our game. This is how we play. We give up chances sometimes.
00:23:10
Speaker
And the whole thing is that we just don't allow goals. And I guess there's some... logic in that. And I, and I suppose it's worked, but this is not, I I've been saying all along, this is not a winning game plan. It is not a winning game plan to give up four big chances and just pray that none of those go in.
00:23:30
Speaker
And that's really what this is. It's, it's not that Dane St. Clair has been standing on his head and playing this spectacular goalkeeping against the Sounders. It's that the centers are putting themselves in good positions and then just not forcing good saves. Um,
00:23:44
Speaker
i we That was what happened in in game one. And look, in game two, I look at that Obed Vargas goal where he hits it through traffic and, you know St. Clair might not be entirely sighted on it, but he gets a hand on it and he doesn't stop it. i mean, he is not, in fact, superhuman.
00:24:04
Speaker
And I think getting that goal sort of broke the mystique about sort of what was going on this the in this between these two teams. The Sounders obviously scored four. And now I think the the script flips a little bit because the Sounders have, you know, a ton of experience in this kind of game and these decisive win or go home type of games. Sounders, even just during the Brian Schmetzer era, have played 17 of these games in the playoffs. so And that's not even including other competitions.
00:24:33
Speaker
They're 12 and five in those games ah in the entire history of Minnesota United. And granted, it only goes back to 2017. They're two and five and they're currently on a four game losing streak. In fact, the only time that they have won, they've actually won a playoff game outright was in the 2020 playoffs.
00:24:53
Speaker
when they they won the first two games before they played the Sounders. But last year when they advanced out of the first round, they won two shootouts. Obviously, the game they won earlier this year was a shootout.
00:25:04
Speaker
I think from a mental standpoint, it feels like the Sounders should have the advantage here. Yeah, I think so. I mean, i there was a noticeable panic that set in ah in Minnesota after the second goal, especially yeah St. Clair looked really unconfident, I thought, after after the first goal was scored.
00:25:25
Speaker
um They looked very rattled. And, you know, I think that's a. every game is different and they've got plenty of time to mentally regroup. Yes. But there has to be some doubt that wasn't there.
00:25:38
Speaker
i would think going into, into this game. Um, and the Sounders have, yeah it it cuts both ways, right? I mean, the Sounders probably felt a little bit jinxed against Minnesota United and now they sure just went out and scored full goal for goals against them, you know?
00:25:53
Speaker
So they're going
Confidence in Overcoming Minnesota's Defense
00:25:54
Speaker
to be more confident. I think that there's going to be a little bit less confidence in Minnesota. Um, but, to the extent maybe that they feel like they need to change something up from a game plan perspective and don't feel like they can you know, ah win in advance, play in the style that they've played all year and feel like they need to mix things up.
00:26:12
Speaker
And that's the thing, right? Because there's a a temptation to say, well, it was great to score four goals, but you know, and in a series where aggregate goals aren't a thing, it doesn't really matter. but But, but I think it does in this one specifically, because I think Minnesota does have this mystique about them and they have this way of carrying themselves where they just don't feel like they're going to concede.
00:26:32
Speaker
And the Sounders shredded them. I mean, that That can't go unnoticed by players. theyre players Right. And I think it in in this weird way, I think it actually helps the Sounders cause because if this game had ended three zero let's just say, or 5-0, or even it got really out of hand, right?
00:26:54
Speaker
I think there is a there would have been a temptation to say, look, once the Sounders went up 1-0, what is, you know, that Minnesota has nothing left to play for, really. i mean, you could ah get you could talk yourself into this.
00:27:07
Speaker
right And and so it doesn't matter that they scored three goals. It doesn't matter that they scored five goals or whatever. But the fact that Minnesota made it competitive. And, yeah you know, so for essentially the and the bulk of the second half was played in a game state where Minnesota knew that they just needed one goal. Yeah, I think it sort of changed it. ah It just gives more credence to the Sounders belief that.
00:27:34
Speaker
They just outplayed. They went toe to toe with Minnesota and they outplayed them. Like, don't give me the this stuff about, well, a game was already on ice. It doesn't matter. Well, it wasn't, though, because it ended up being, you know, a competitive game for the for the majority of it. So, yeah. And the fact that the Sounders were able to shut it down to the extent that they did has to also be something that was noticed. Right.
00:27:58
Speaker
Right.
Minnesota's Tactical Challenges
00:27:59
Speaker
Yeah. I don't know that Minnesota can really afford to play this same game style because as we saw is if they give up an early goal that creates of it, like this is not a team who's built to be playing from behind.
00:28:15
Speaker
i think we saw that, you know, that they did get those two goals, but this is not, they they didn't want to play that way. They really didn't come out of their shell until they were down to zero. And even then, it was it wasn't that... it wasn't like they're They're not built to chase games, I don't
Critique of Minnesota's Tactics
00:28:31
Speaker
think.
00:28:31
Speaker
And i suspect that they're probably going to come out a little bit more aggressive. But what's interesting is... Both those counterattacks were well played. Like those were good counterattacks.
00:28:43
Speaker
They were. Yeah, there's there's a there's a there' ah this is a talented Minnesota team. They have some talented attacking players. They have some nice creative players. I don't begrudge a team doing anything they feel like they need to do to win games, especially in the playoffs. Right.
00:28:58
Speaker
I don't, you know, i know a lot of people hate watching Minnesota and I totally get it. But, um, coming into this game, I didn't have any problems with Minnesota at all. Now over the course of this game, I developed some real problems with Minnesota.
00:29:11
Speaker
Yeah. I thought that they were nasty and classless. Um, and, and I'm not a guy who tends to care about that kind of stuff, but this was just like ah a step beyond, I think. But, uh,
00:29:23
Speaker
Yeah, um but they they don't have to play this way. I don't feel like like I think that they could be. I mean, I think that they're going to be more well suited to playing defensively and relying on set pieces and throw ins. Obviously, that's their bread and butter, but they don't have to be this cynical.
00:29:39
Speaker
I don't think. No, they it i I do want to talk about this a little bit. The especially in the early stages of this game. It felt like some of the cynicism was a little, it was like kind of off the charts.
00:29:56
Speaker
Yeah. I want to say it was the first minute when Dane St. Clair is already sort of like going through this whole routine, taking forever on free kicks every, you know, there was two different incidents where,
00:30:08
Speaker
there was a collision where I don't know. I, especially the one with, with a roll Don and Pereira, which was like the third minute and Pereira is sitting there holding his head, acting like he's everyone on the bench on the Minnesota bench is talking about wanting a red card.
00:30:28
Speaker
I'm sorry, but that's a, you know, roll Don does nothing, does absolutely nothing questionable on that play. And, you know, we get like a two minute stoppage time there. There was another two or three minute stoppage time when ah Yabar went up for a header again. There was nothing, nothing in it.
00:30:45
Speaker
And it just felt like, what are we, what are we doing here? Yeah. Like ridiculous stuff. Yeah. yeah It just feels like i don't know. I don't I don't know that that does that give you confidence to it's it's loser energy. It's absolutely loser energy.
00:31:04
Speaker
you You don't you don't feel like you're going to win the game if you're resorting to that kind of shit. Yeah. And yeah, they're them taking me attacking throw in after the Sounders put the ball out is maybe as mad as I have ever been at a game in my life.
Sounders' Playoff Strategy and Progress
00:31:20
Speaker
I was so pissed off about that because it was just so just cheap and disgusting. And and just like, look, man, like this whole thing relies on us respecting a code some degree. And yeah, yeah.
00:31:37
Speaker
Really, really nasty stuff. Yeah, I can't say I'm a big fan of the way Minnesota plays the game. I don't really begrudge that. You know, look, if they eliminate the Sounders, fair play.
00:31:49
Speaker
i Not much you can say. ah They will have deserved it. But I am feeling pretty confident. I was pretty confident going into this series.
00:32:00
Speaker
I will admit my confidence was somewhat shaken after the first game.
Lineup Flexibility and Player Substitutions
00:32:04
Speaker
I felt like they would win this game. But because of the way they won it, it does give me a little bit more belief that they can they can see this out.
00:32:14
Speaker
yeah I do like the idea of of essentially going with the same lineup that they went with in this last game. We'll see about Alex Roldan after the game. i Spitzer made it sound like he thought Alex would be back, that it wasn't anything serious, and that you you know he might even that he he should be able to be available for Saturday.
00:32:35
Speaker
We're going to go to training tomorrow. We'll see what he's, how involved he is. But I thought Kalani Kosariensi was totally fine in the second half. Yeah. You know, you yeah you talk about a player who comes off the bench. Alex Roldan had been very good.
00:32:52
Speaker
I don't think he, he missed a beat. No. And they obviously play the game differently and have different strengths, but Minnesota is just not a team. I'm worried about a downgrade in, uh, defending,
00:33:04
Speaker
you know And I don't think it's a huge drop-off in any case, but if they were playing, if the Sounders were playing against a team that actually attacked, um it would be a little bit more of a concern. But ah he he looked great. you know He looked up for it, for sure, as he always does.
00:33:20
Speaker
And I think I would rather have Alex, but I think that you could maybe talk yourself into thinking... Maybe we want closer in Z in a game where we need to be on front foot and attacking and trying to get on the board early, you know? I mean, it definitely doesn't seem like a huge downgrade at the very least. Yeah, definitely not.
00:33:37
Speaker
Definitely not. Yeah, so this game is going to be on Saturday. It's a 1 p.m. start, I think.
Upcoming Watch Party Announcement
00:33:46
Speaker
No promises yet, but I will say i I think we are going to do a watch party at Fast Fashion on Saturday. I'm i'm talking to the Lobbing Scorchers guys about possibly even having a live postgame show, so that might be kind of fun.
00:34:02
Speaker
But I want to invite everyone. i will have more details, but ah put a little mark in your calendar if you want to hang out with us. um But anything else that jumped out at you from this game?
00:34:15
Speaker
Anything else that we I don't know. I don't know if there's anything else that we really needed to talk about. No, I mean, I think the biggest takeaway for me um was that the Sounders looked like a team who felt extremely confident they were going to win this game. Yes.
00:34:30
Speaker
Yes. And they were extremely decisive early and obviously going to Minnesota. It's a different situation. but I think they need to bring that energy to this game. Yeah. Because I think, like you said, Minnesota is not a team that can play from, from underneath.
00:34:44
Speaker
And if the sound, you know, the sounders created a lot of decent chances in the first 10 minutes, uh, in the, in the first leg, if they can capitalize on one of those, I think you've got to feel really, really good about their ability to hang on. So, um, yeah, so hopefully they can, you know, they can have that same kind of confidence
Potential Opponents: San Diego vs Portland
00:35:01
Speaker
in Minnesota. They don't feel, too jinxed by, by LA on his field. And, uh,
00:35:07
Speaker
We can be talking about San Diego or Portland in a week's time. Yeah, not to get ahead of ourselves, but did you ah what do you make of that other series, that San Diego-Portland series?
00:35:20
Speaker
um I mean, i think that San Diego is is likely going to advance. I feel pretty comfortable saying that. I think they're a better team, but they're not a very good home team.
00:35:31
Speaker
um They're not as good as I think their points total would indicate. And i hate to give them credit, but Portland, I mean, they have their issues, but they're up for a fight.
00:35:44
Speaker
You know, theyre they are a team that plays with a chip on their shoulder. And I would I would certainly not count them out. And i mean, I'd probably rather play the Timbers, I guess, all things considered.
00:35:55
Speaker
um If the Sounders can get through to the next round, they're not as i mean, San Diego is a better team. The Sounders would have home field advantage, which would be pretty nice. I hate playing the Timbers in the playoffs more than anything, but.
00:36:07
Speaker
You know, I think that's I and won't say I'll be rooting for the Timbers, but I would not be upset to see them advance. And I think they they have at least a puncher's chance.
Crowd Engagement and Attendance
00:36:17
Speaker
You know, one other thing I wanted to ask you about, you sat in the stands for this game.
00:36:21
Speaker
Early on, it looked like the crowd was going to be pretty thin. But as it went on, I actually thought it filled in pretty nicely and to the point where at the end of the game, You know, it it didn't feel, at least by the current standards, it didn't feel egregiously then What did what did you make of the crowd, though?
00:36:42
Speaker
i I mean, i it was definitely ah an engaged crowd. um It was a very good crowd, I thought, in that that sense. um I wasn't in you know our our normal seats, so I wasn't able to see how the crowd was compared to you know a normal game. But um I mean, it from where I was sitting, the rest of the stadium looked...
00:37:03
Speaker
pretty pretty good, you know, pretty pretty full um for for a Monday night especially. i i had plans to go get dinner before the game because I assumed attendance was going to be really poor, so I thought it won't be any problem.
00:37:17
Speaker
And the restaurant was packed, so I just ended up going to the stadium early. um And yeah, the crowd definitely really filled filled in. um And i was I was pleasantly surprised.
00:37:28
Speaker
um So hopefully we've got another game to do even better. ah That would be that would certainly be nice. But ah yeah, I mean, I think that playoff crowds, especially in the first round, are always a little on the smaller side. yeah This one didn't seem appreciably smaller than a regular season game to me.
00:37:45
Speaker
Yeah, that was sort of my observation from, you know, it's always funny to me how different my observation of the crowd is from the press box versus people in the stands.
00:37:58
Speaker
And I understand where you're sitting is going to, heavily influence how full or empty it might seem. Like if you're in a section where there's lots of empty seats, it's going to just give you the sense that it's a lot more empty. Whereas where I am, I'm like kind of looking at swaths.
00:38:16
Speaker
And if I'm not seeing a lot of empty seats in large parts of the area, it just may, it doesn't, you know, whatever. Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting little tidbit to throw in there. Yeah. I definitely think like based on the amount of tickets that were available,
00:38:30
Speaker
Yesterday, i i assumed that it was going to be a pretty bad turnout, but I think a lot of other people did what we did, which was just wait you know until the day of to see how cheap the tickets got.
00:38:42
Speaker
And ah so I wouldn't be shocked if they had like a ton of day of ah ticket sales. Yeah. Yeah. That would be, which maybe you should, maybe you should ah teach them something. Probably not. Right.
00:38:55
Speaker
Exactly. Yeah. And in that this comes at a time when, you know, there's a lot of moving and shaking going on in, in the organization about where, where this is all heading.
00:39:06
Speaker
And, you know, it's a good reminder, I think that, There are some real benefits to being in downtown. And one of them is i think you tend to draw this type of crowd. That is, you know, that's one of the things i always love about the playoffs is that even though the crowds aren't big, the biggest, they tend to be the most engaged and into it. And it and it feels like it can get going ah pretty easily. Yeah.
00:39:32
Speaker
But all right, well, let's ah let's I guess we'll call it there.
Sounder at Heart Podcast Promotion
00:39:35
Speaker
ah Thank you, of course, to our sponsors, Full Pull Wines, ah Hacks and Ferments, as well as you, our subscribers. I'll give you another pitch if you want to get the best and most engaged parts of the sounder heart community get on our discord. Uh, there's always conversations going on there.
00:39:54
Speaker
i oftentimes feel like I'm able to sort of, ah dry run a lot of the stuff we're going to talk on this show, ah during it just in the, in the conversations in discord. So it's always a lot of fun.
00:40:05
Speaker
Uh, but other than that, uh, we will be back obviously, uh, later in the week as well as, uh, We'll see how long we're we're doing this whole thing this year. So ah thank you, Aaron. Thank you, Lickit.
00:40:21
Speaker
ah I am Jeremiah Shan signing off for Nos Adientes, part of the Sounder Heart Podcast Network. Remember, you'll never get alone.
00:40:58
Speaker
Let's go at Sounders. um