Sounders suffer humiliating Whitecaps defeat with season on the line

When the Sounders have struggled, it is primarily their poor conversion rate of chances to goals. Much like when they were embarrassed by the Timbers right after the World Cup break, the Sounders defense uncharacteristically were too passive, allowing the opposing team to do whatever they wanted. To be fair, they were playing against the best team in the division, and they deserve that honor.

Giving up 5 goals is almost unheard of for the Sounders. Their containment defense allowed too much space for players on the wings so they could identify dangerous passes, and feed the players in the box. The player in the box was not marked closely enough and could choose where they wanted to shoot.

What hurts the most as a fan, is that while they were conceding goal after goal, what seems like every other team in hunt for a playoff spot won. The Sounders have fallen out of the playoffs spots with one game to go. LAFC is their next opponent, and thankfully it is within the friendly confines of their home field.

For the second time this season, the Sounders came out flat. They have the talent to compete, but even with the veteran leadership of Albert Rusnák, Nouhou, all time leading scorer Jordan Morris and Christian Roldan, they have failed to match the opponent's intensity. In years past they had players like Ozzie Alonso who would play a no nonsense brand of defense that left attackers battered and bruised.

While he was able to contain players, he also put them under pressure so they would struggle to make daring passes and would opt to save the possession. Even João Paulo would take a player down if he had the chance. One has to wonder if all those injuries prevented the team from becoming a unit on the field instead of relying on brilliant moments of individuals.

Maybe what the Sounders lack is an enforcer. A player that will batter the opposing talent, get in their heads, and slow down the play while they force turnovers that are made from attempting to avoid getting hit after passing the ball.

If the Sounders lose, they are out of the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.

If they tie, they need Portland and Colorado to lose and Real Salt Lake and Minnesota to tie or lose.

If the Sounders win, they will need the Galaxy, Timbers, or Rapids to lose or tie.

Saturday's games

The way it is set up, each team will play at 4 pm on Saturday so the table will change in real time as the matches progress, adding to the drama.

7. LA Galaxy (44 points): at Real Salt Lake currently 2 spots and 1 point under wildcard

8.* Portland Timbers (43 points): at Austin out of playoffs

9.**Colorado Rapids (43 points): at Dallas 2nd in conference

10. Seattle Sounders (43 points): at home against LAFC 4 points above wild card

11. Real Salt Lake (42 points): home against LA Galaxy 1 point ahead of wild card

12. Minnesota United (41 points): at home against San Jose (currently 3rd in the conference)

* first wildcard spot

** second wildcard spot

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