Offensively frustrated Sounders continue to scuttle along in draw to Orlando City

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Sounders continue to crawl through the 2023 MLS regular season at a snail’s pace when it comes to their offensive production, going scoreless once again this week. This time, after falling in a one-goal match to LAFC mid-week, the Sounders split points with visiting Orlando City in a match that saw frustrations mount for Seattle throughout the course of the 90 minutes. While Seattle was missing several notable attackers for different reasons, the Sounders still had chances to score and showed positive attack in the first half, but still are failing to find that final touch to get on the score board. With other teams in the Western Conference catching up points wise, Seattle is running out of time to stay at the top of the table considering their current form.  

Offensive generation shows promise through the first half 

Following frustrating results in their past few matches, including failing to score in three of the last four coming into today’s match, the Sounders were off to a promising start. Heber, starting as the forward up top in place of Raul Ruidiaz, got a shot off on Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese to force a Seattle corner. After the corner failed, with the Sounders continuing to be limp on set pieces, Seattle midfielder Nico Lodeiro had an opportunity right at the penalty spot but his shot hit off the intersection of the cross bar and far post. Following those two immediate near chances on goal that would’ve got them off to a fiery start, the Sounders had to ward off a long rebuttal from Orlando that saw them start to generate some pressure. But, despite that, Seattle being able to start the game off with some immediate attack of their own (especially after conceding in minute one last match) gave some hope that the Sounders had found some offensive life.  

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnak continues to play well as the teams #10 (Photo by Paul Kahl)

Orlando flips the script, keeps Sounders on their heels late 

While Seattle seemed to control the attack throughout much of the match, and it showed on the expected goals as the Sounders had the advantage there, they had to lock down on defense in the final third of the match. Things really began to escalate in the 75th minute, as Sounders keeper Stefan Frei had to sprawl to make an initial save, leaving the goal exposed after a shot from Orlando’s Facundo Torres. The initial save went right towards a streaking Mauricio Pereyra, whose shot on the wide-open net somehow sailed over the goal and into the stands at Lumen Field. 13 minutes later, Pereyra sent an excellent through ball that sliced up the Sounders defense and found Torres, but his shot spun just outside of the far post as an outstretched Frei failed to change it’s direction.  

The Seattle Sounders huddle during their match against Orlando City, as Seattle hosted their annual Pride Night (Photo by Paul Kahl)

Accountability must take place within this locker room

A few weeks ago I would’ve said that the Sounders have some time to figure things out within their own locker room, even considering some of the injury issues that they were dealing with at the time of Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan. While those three and more were out of this current match for numerous reasons, (international duty, personal matter, injuries) Seattle cannot keep coming up with excuses. Excuses won’t get them points, and excuses can’t prop them up near the top of the Western Conference anymore after building a nice lead there through the early part of this season.

As the match went on, the Sounders had to focus defensively as Orlando had increased dangerous chances (Photo by Nate Koppelman)

What’s next? 

Following today’s frustrating draw, the Sounders will have a week before their next contest, which is at home thankfully. That sort of preparation, being able to stay at your own facility and get training in to work on the issues that the team is facing is key so that Seattle can truly nail down the failures that continue to plague them. That contest is on Saturday, July 1st when the Houston Dynamo come to town for a 7:30PM PST kickoff time. The Dynamo will come into this match with some strong momentum, having won four of their past five. The Sounders need to turn their fortunes around, as Seattle hasn’t secured all three points in any of their past five matches.  

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