It's just not coming any easier in league play for the Sounders. The negative numbers all point to a side that is treading water as the mid-season mark passes.
The latest negative numbers:
1-0 Seattle falls at Rochester.
34 days and counting since last league victory.
321 minutes since last goal (or 201 if you don't count the Open Cup).
July 11th's away loss to the Rochester Rhinos was a choppy affair where the Seattle midfield was disrupted and never gained any cohesion. Up front Sebastien Le Toux was active as usual, but also gave away the ball or was double-marked and unable to find an outlet.
Coach Schmetzer took Andre Schmid out at halftime and put in Michael Rodriguez. The Sounders responded with improved possession and a series of scoring chances. Once the Rhinos adjusted Schmetzer brought in Jason Cascio at forward and eventually Kante and Merl.
Cascio had a few moments in the mix, but the ball rarely found him on the attack. Jason was called for a foul on the goalkeeper in the late going that stalled a possible attempt.
The Sounders are now 4-4-8 on the USL-1 season and are slowly losing ground as they look ahead to the big glut of home matches that will be their make-or-break push for playoffs.
Until then it seems like fans will have to temper these growing number of days without a league win with the knowledge that seven clubs make the playoffs and Seattle will ride it out at home in August while some of the other contenders are mainly on the road.
The Open Cup is the only place the Sounders are having any success right now.
The Sounders play in Montreal on Sunday.
Match Reports:
Seattle Sounders
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
USL-1 match stats page
Short shorts for a Rhinos defender
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