Sounders: 4 takeaways from the Seattle Sounders' 2-1 loss to Atlanta United

4. Relying on the veterans

The Sounders are a squad with a mixture of young and old. During the midweek against FC Dallas, Raul Ruidiaz made his return to the pitch after being out with injury. Will Bruin also recently returned from injury. Both players subbed in against Atlanta.

Alex Roldan said that the younger players are going to rely on the older players for guidance during this tough stretch of games. In the last four matches, the Sounders have won two and lost two, not providing any consistency.

""They’ve been through these tough moments. Five or six of the last seven years, there have been ups and downs where we struggle to get above the playoff line, and then we turn it around in the summer. Veterans and leaders showcase what they have on the field. Starting in training, they can be the ones to pick up the slack and make sure we put our effort in there. Training translates to the game.” "

- Alex Roldan

Schmetzer highlighted that training regime when speaking about the lack of mentality at the finish in Atlanta.

"We’ve adjusted our training, we’ve lowered the volume and depth the intensity high," Schmetzer explained. "The performance was an OK performance. We’re not happy with the result. When you lose on a goal like that, it’s hard emotionally, but sometimes it happens."

Seattle will be back at Lumen Field on Sunday, Aug. 14, to face Real Salt Lake at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.