Coming to you live from Marelliot Avenue Studios of Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly with your host Jackson Felts.
Good aiden everybody, welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Felts here, good to be with you here on ninety three point three KJRFM. Sounders Weekly every Wednesday. When the Sounders aren't playing, and now now that they've started their season, when the Krakens aren't playing, we'll be here to talk Sounders soccer and to go over what is right now a team
that sits third place in the Western Conference. What a last week they had one week ago tonight we were up in Vancouver to see the Sounders just kick the butts of those white Caps by a score of three to nothing. Georgie Manongo scored his first career goal. That was outstanding. And then over the weekend the Sounders went on the road again to Colorado. What a week they had.
They were at home for Houston and won nothing. When they're gritted it out, and then went on the road to Vancouver, came home trained Thursday.
I guess it was more of like a rehab Thursday.
And then train Friday, get on the Plane face Colorado Saturday for another one nothing win where it is Albert Rusnak getting the winner for the Sounders. He just continues to have an exceptional season. Maybe if we have a minute here, we'll play that audio that I grabbed Albert Rusnak in his postgame press conference sort of admitting that he's very aware that there were some critics earlier this year.
And as we get that audio ready there, you know, one of the things that stood out to me for Rusnak is the fact that it was such a slow start of the year, but he's gotten to the point where he has twenty five goal contributions ten goals and fifteen assists. And listen, I'm not saying that he's as part of the MLS MVP discussion, and that is a question that I want to ask both of our guests tonight.
We'll have Max bretus MLS Season Pass on Apple TV joining us in just about ten minutes or so, and then we'll also be joined by Ari Lillian Wall m l sucker dot com. He's a writer and editor. He also hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorchers. I want to ask both of them who their MLS MVP is because I got my ballot as a media member earlier this week, and for me, you know, I think he's not. Albert Rusnak is not in that immediate discussion of the guys
who are there to win the award. I think that's reserved for your Denny Bwoga Kucho with Columbus, It's reserved for Lionel Messi. Of course, Christian benech A of d C is up there. I really don't think Evander should be in that conversation. I think of Vanders on the outside right alongside Albert Rusnak looking in. But nonetheless Albert Rusnak is in that second tier. I think of names who just are outside of the discussion and by them that metric. He is very much a designated player this season.
He has lived up to every dollar of his contract, and probably more so because he's had just a phenomenal year and he admitted it. I think we'll play it here in the audio his postgame press conference. This is probably the best stretch of his career in these last four months or so, because it was a slow start.
He was coming back from the injury at the very very start of the season and Rusnak has turned into such a you know, immeasurable piece on this team where if he was to go down, all of my confidence of the Sounders making an MLS Cup and there is a shred of confidence that they could pull it off,
would be gone. I mean, yes, Peter dal le Vega could slide in, you could have you know, on one side Rothrock and on the other side Georgie or Christian Obed still with either JP or Christian as a holding midfielder, that could.
Still theoretically work.
But at the quality Albert Rusnak is playing at right now, it is such confidence that if we are going to be the three seed, which we set right now, and we do eventually face the LAFC is a two seed, I do have a little bit of confidence there. It'd be worry me, of course, it would worry every Sounder fan because LAFC have just stopped everything we wanted to do this year. But at the same time, playing with an Albert Rusnak the way he is gives me some hope.
So listen, I think this team and the defensive effort leading the league thirty four goals against, you beat three teams who are playoff teams Houston, Vancouver and Colorado are all going to be in the playoffs and you gave up zero goals to all three of them. That is remarkable. And this is the best defensive team in Major League Soccer right now. Will they get credit for it with a Defender of the Year or Goalkeeper of the Year.
Absolutely not, because they continue to overlook us. They being just whether it's the national media, whether it's other people or players or whatever around the league. Nobody ever looks at Stephen Frye and our defenders. I mean Jamar Gomez Andrade and fry should have had the awards last year, or should have at.
Least been up for the awards.
Maybe Roman Burkey was gonna be that winner, but fry should have at least been a nominee and he wasn't. Yamar I think should have been the winner for Defender of the Year and he wasn't. So listen, you're in a situation where people continuously overlook the Sounders and they just continue to will and we will keep putting up the best defensive numbers in the league. That will need to continue against Portland coming up on decision Day. We were gonna spend all of next week's show talking about
the Timbers. I'm gonna spend probably zero talking about the Timbers today, but quickly to give you broadcast details for that. Sports Radio nine to fifty kjar am will have that Decision Day match on Saturday, October nineteenth. It'll be a five to thirty provident Swedish prematch show six o'clock kickoff there over on nine to fifty am for Sounders and Timbers. Again, that is an a week and a half. People can also watch at MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV
app listen in Spanish language l RA thirteen sixty. But again, all of next week's show here in Sounders Weekly weill be dedicated to Sounders Timbers. We aren't gonna go too
deep into that tonight. While we have a second before Max Breads joins, let's hear a little bit from Albert rous after the Sounders want Nothing win in Colorado, where he talked a little bit and admitted that he's aware that there were doubters and if there's any doubters remaining, yeah, you want to hide because there is no reason to doubt this man anymore. Here's what Albert Rusnak had to say. After the Sounders win in Colorado.
Today's a lucky one. But you know, I feel like when you try and do things right, you know, even if things don't go well for you, you know, you just have to keep keep with that kind of you know, keep keep training well, you know, try and be a professional, do a little exture here and there, and you know, if you do it over a long term, I do believe that at some point, you know, you will you will have a little bit of luck, like you know I had tonight, because it's not it's not, you know,
the best goal that I've ever scored, for sure, but they all count of the same, you know, so I'm really happy that. And then three points for us, and then you know we're gonna host for sure at least the first round of playoffs, and you know we're still fighting for that Captchampions Leagues. But so three game week and two of those coming on road Wednesday Saturday, you know, short turn around flight to here, flight there. You know, it wasn't easy, and it wasn't definitely the best of
our performances or one of the best this year. But at the end of the day, at this stage of a season, the results are what's important and sticking together. Especially second half it was self. You know, we didn't have much of the ball, but we defended, you know, we cleared crosses. So full credit to everyone.
What do you kind of attribute though to this to your player then the season? Is it just the sticking to it or can.
You talk a little bit more about what you might what might be really working for you to be able to pull out these numbers like that.
Well, first of all, you know, it's credit to all my teammates, you know, because I'm not taking the ball and dribbling past everybody that'scoring to go by myself, you know, so it's not just me. I think the better the team started playing, I feel like that's that's when I started playing better as well, and vice versa as well, you know. But it wasn't easy at the start of
the season. I got hurt the day before the season opening and then missed four games, and then took another four or five games to kind of get into rhythm. And you know, I do remember what everybody was saying at the start of the season, and then many people didn't believe and you know, kind of well writing me off, I'd say, but most of American sports are based on stats, and when the stats are good, everybody's happy. And when the stats are not good, you know, nobody is happy.
So you know we're no different. And I always say, you know, the stats are not the most important thing, so I guess, yeah, just you know, trying to train well, be a good teammate, and try and do the little things right.
It's great stuff there from Albert Rusnak, and I love that he is aware of his doubters. Athletes, you know, use anything to get the upper hand, and he certainly has here this year as he is now twenty five goal contributions, ten goals, fifteen assists. What an exceptional year for Albert Rusnak. Before Max Brets joins and I see him on the whole there. I want to let everybody know that Center's FC Soccer is presented by Providence, Swedish
Healthcare partner of Sounders FC. Max brettis MLS season pass on Apple TV broadcaster. He was on the call for Sounders Colorado this last weekend. Lots to talk about here over a couple segments here with Max.
Max.
Great to have you back on the show, my friend, How are you Jackson doing?
Well, like you looking forward to a little decompressing here with this off week. But by the way, there's one team that probably doesn't want it off week. I'm sure they do. It's the Sounders. The way they are playing. As we were saying, everyone's hitting the wall. The Sounders look like they want the playoffs to start right now.
Well, you know we talk about teams hitting the wall. Max Colorado. I mean, that's a team that not only this last week, but it just feels like over the last you know, month or so, they've hit a big wall. And you know the one nothing lost they suffered to the Sounders at home there over the weekend. It just never felt like Colorado even got their wheels turning on Saturday.
Yeah, I think you got to give the Sounders. Colorado obviously had a problem with the Galaxy there in the midweek, but the Seattle Sounders grabbed them by the arm and smashed them into the wall. And I think you could say that for Vancouver also, because you know, they just mean that was an eye opener. You know, I was watching that game and just undressing the white Caps in their place, and that's when I said the Sounders team because I've bought them all and we've spoken to Brian
Schmitzer a lot. I go this, this was the plan, this is what they were hoping for, everything to fall in place. And I still think they want, we hope a little bit more from Peple de la Vega, which seemed like it's that's falling into place as well. Not to mention Ghao Paolo and we'll see about ralv Luie Diaz. But the Sounders I think are a big part while Colorado.
You know, just like two ships heading in different directions and the white Caps, I mean the white Caps game, there was I was right at the beginning of the second half there was a ten minute stretcher. I don't think they were in the Sounders half it was. And then I was curious, as dominants, they look with the Sounders take their foot off the pedal, and even the first twenty five minutes they had all the good chances.
They had rows Rock and then a Vega and Mars just you know, and you know Albert Russnek, who's a great little runner behind those guys picking up pieces as he did in the second half, and they just kept it going. The Sounders look like they they got all the good wind on the ocean and the rapids and the white Caps have found a dead spot. But this is you know, that's I think that's normal. Right, It's
been a long season. You probably are starting to flag, and I think that the Sounders look the exact opposite is a very promising sign.
Max.
Max prest is our guest MS season passed on Apple TV Broadcaster. You mentioned the name Pedro dalele Vega. I'm gonna ask a question here that's probably gonna make a bunch of Sounder fans smack me upside the head or want to punch me in the face, and I understand that.
In a second. Listen, I'm going on.
Vacation for the rest of this week, So for everybody wants to hit me, then I'm just gonna turn off my Twitter.
So listen.
You obviously have seen LAFC up close and personal for so long, and you've seen LAFC bring in player after player after a player, and it just feels like that club integrates these high level players just over.
And over again.
You know, whether it's bu Wanga, whether it's Bogouche, you know, one by one, whoever they bring in just integrates.
I feel like seamlessly.
We've had a little bit of a hiccup with integrating Pedro de la Vega into the Sounders. It's been I talked about it on the pregame and postgame show against Colorado. It's been like a loading bar on a computer, like a buffering video, and we just haven't felt that bar, seen that loading bar, you know, move quickly enough.
And I'm wondering. Here comes the question Sounder fans.
I'm sorry, how does LAFC seem to in agate rate these high level players so seamlessly over and over again. Is there a secret there that maybe we can look to for how the Sounders can better integrate Pedro de la Vega, or how Pedro de la Vega can better integrate himself into this team.
Right now, the way the Sounders have just a great space and players all fit like a jigsaw puzzle, I think it's more on Federal than le Vega's shoulders to do that. This has been interesting, and I would say with elisc's situation, they it's patients and look, even with Jeru, there's a process and we may not see this till the end of this year or the following year. When add Georgia o'culleni and Gareth Bale. They had to wait
even players. And I think this is with benefiting the Sounders too, is that they didn't have a winner market and I'm saying they you know, that might hurt them come playoff time because if they get an injury or two, I don't see the Sounders keeping pace with the two LA clubs or making an MLS Cup. If they have this group, they're gonna be They're gonna be a contender, but they don't have the depth. They haven't been busy in the market, but the teams that were busy in
the market have all really clipped some hurdles. I think LAFC was Jeru, I mean Lewis O'Brien to Less, they've been really good. I think of Austin they brought to Kari and the adjustment period of getting those guys in has taken a toll. I'm trying to think of another team that had a similar situation. But you know, it's just a rail Felt bake rail They brought in five new players and they just not getting results. So that process is tricky. Bendel Levega's had a year to get going.
I would say I saw some bright spots against Colorado, the way he works with Jordan and Ross Rock. So it's it's tricky and I think, you know, look, getting adjusted to the Saladars is a foreign player. I mean there's incredible success stories through the years from Moltedo and
Ruis Diaz Lovedo. He has not been on pace with any of those guys, and maybe at the end of the day, it's not a good fit, but it's they've been very patient and I think they've air on the side of caution, which has stuffed his growth a bit, which is I would have done too, and right now because of the development of the Noongu and how they look. They he is a luxury player. They would love to have him, and I think they want it. In a
perfect world. When the playoffs start, I would imagine Brian Smetza would want to start the La Vega to make his team as dangerous as possible, right, But I think it's just be a case of being patient, patient, patient, I think more than anything, and maybe it's a player for next.
Year that's helpful.
That's kind of helpful to go off of the element of patients, because I think if it isn't this year if we still don't see that loading bar hit one hundred percent at the end of this campaign. Understanding that you know, we have, you know, Paul robb Throck, who is just an absolute firecracker onto the scene this year, and then of course Georgie Manongo as well, who you mentioned, who's just kind of came out of nowhere as this
big talent. I think I think it is. I think you phrased it well that it's a luxury that maybe we don't necessarily have to have, but I think it's true that I think we have to have this team playing at a high level to compete with an LAFC
or LA Galaxy. To go back to what you mentioned there a couple of minutes ago, because right now for us, we're the three seed and LAFC is the two seed, and if both teams hold serve and win their first round playoff matchups, it will be once again a Western Conference semifinal, this time Sounders at LAFC, and I mean Maxillis's and I understand you know you're there in LA, but for even here in Seattle, that's a matchup that I really don't want to see out a little bit
personally rather be the four seed because I think the Sounders match up better with the Galaxy. But you know, to face an LAFC again, that's the bugaboo for us. That's the team that just seems to be getting in the way of everything we want to do in twenty twenty four.
I will tell you this may not you may not believe this Jackson, and I know it's probably said this to me, although some people are within LAFC have had uh that LAC does not want to see the Sounders in the playoffs. I think there is well, I just think there's a belief and that we've been so successful the law of average. Is a team that good, you can't beat them. But is it the League's Cup, Open Cup? The two MLS games? Was it four games? You have to go in there? I can't imagine going. I don't
want to see these guys again. They got to be they got to be upsessed, and they got an axe to grind. So I think I think that's a two way street. I think both LAC and Seattle would probably want to have different bedfellows, so to speak, at some point here, because I guess we've never seen it. Four games. I mean, that's a fifth leading is be insane, So
I would like, you know, someone the works. Really I would get nervous seeing the Sounders up there, especially when you couple that with as good as Seattle has looked. So we'll see how it plays out. But I tend to think that will that's pretty close to being locked in as a two and a three seed. So here we are.
It's interesting to kind of get that mindset down there from LAFC side, so I appreciate you kind of giving us that.
Max.
We're upagance to break here, so I'm going to quickly take a break. I know you got the time and we talked about this earlier, so I'm going to take a break. Let's come back, and I want to talk to you about the rest of the Western Conference because there is a large group of teams that the Sounders could be seeing in the first round. From your Colorado is that we just saw to Houston. The list goes on and on. I want to talk to you about that group. I want to talk to you about the
MLS MVP race. There's still a few things to go over here, so Max, hang on hold, we'll have more of Max Brettus from MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Coming up next year on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders fc Cele's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Welcome back, Sounders Weekly.
Good to have you with us here Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM. Jackson feltz with you and we are going to continue rolling on here with our chat with Max Brettis, broadcaster for NLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Good thoughts there on the game that he called this last weekend, the Sounders win over Colorado. But Max, as we dalia back and bring you back up here, I think one of the things that I wanted to
talk to you about. And we'll get to the MVP race here in a moment, but it's the rest of the Western Conference. Because you have Galaxy LAFC, who are pretty secured into I think that one to two spot Sounders are the three.
They could end up as the four.
You have Salt Lake who could theoretically jump up to four, but that's that's the top.
And then you have a.
Group of Houston, Colorado, Minnesota, Vancouver. Maybe we can include Portland, but probably not Portland's you know, probably more looking as one of those you know, seven or nine seeds to not face Seattle. But that's a group of of you know, Houston, Colorado, Minnesota, Vancouver that the Sounders. I assume you you were facing one of those four teams, and I know you're on the call for decision day for Houston LA Galaxy coming
up here in a week and a half. But that's a group that not only the Sounders, but there's inevitably going to be teams in that group that even the Galaxy, LAFC, salt Lake don't want to face.
Of that fivesome.
Yeah, I would say there's a definitely ruling class of three. Yeah. I know Rayal salt Lake are level on points of Seattle, but there's nothing about real salt Lake that is going to scare anyone the way the other three will. I think they're all a kind above and the Sounders defensive record and everything else puts them on par with the two LA clubs. So Houston haven't played well, but the way they can, you know, the way they can possess and complicate things, I don't think anyone's gonna want to
rush there. I think I think we're al Salt Lake is the way they've played, and I've been unable to integrate new players. Colorado because they've had a successful season, and even if they get knocked out in the first round, they'll still view this as a successful season. I think this is a club that's looking not now. I mean, they want to do well here, but this is more for next year to see if the Croppies invest a little bit more and put them over the top, because
I don't think they have enough right now. Vancouver, I can't put my finger on I always get a thatt injuries, but not very scary. Minnesota's playing well, but as a team, I think the top three should be able to get by, especially if it's the top it's the best of the three series. Portland's a bit of the wild card, but again they have to win two away games potentially or at least one, and they haven't proven to be a
good road team. So it's you know, it's We've always been a league of parody and we always look at the end of the year like anything can happen. I just feel pretty I feel pretty strong that I think there's five teams that could play in MLS Cup. The Miami Columbus, the two LA clubs, and the Sounders. I think that's it. I might fight, I might eat my words here, but I just think the top teams are really proven that they're a cut above, which is great news for the leagues. You need that in any sport.
But again, I'll eat my words here. When we have a Colorado Minnesota Western final.
I mean, you never know. This league is so crazy.
You look at how many one seeds have gone to MLS Cup since like twenty thirteen, and it's such a small number.
It's just so wild as we kind of look at the entire league.
I love that the Sounders are one of those five teams. You know you mentioned Miami just from this week.
Yeah, weeks put them there, but I think it's impossible not to put them on that top the way they.
Look absolutely are.
I mean, three straight clean sheets and shutouts against playoff teams and the defense playing best in Major League Soccer right now, You're seeing Albert right now now play you know twenty five goal contributions, and you know Albert with twenty five is I think right on the outside of discussion of our final question here Max Max Brettes MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. He will be calling Galaxy Houston on Decision Day as well. MLS Season Pass Apple TV. You can watch that.
Max.
Let's go to the route of MLS MVP for our final question because Albert's I think just on the outside of that conversation. But you have Christian Beneke who leads this league with twenty three goals adding seven assists. Buwonga also has thirty goal contributions at nineteen and eleven. I want to say Kucco is right around there as well. I know that Suarez is high MESSI in terms of goals and assists per ninety minutes has a ridiculous number.
Probably per ninety minutes, it's the most in the entire league. Who is your MLS MVP right now or is it somebody off the board?
From what I just mentioned, I was I.
Was warming up to a Vander but you know, Portland kind of dipping or late probably takes him off the board.
And I'm old fashioned where I'd like to see a player that is played with a playing for a team as a contender, so that obviously he takes a guy like Ventech a out and a few others, and I know Leonel Messi, Messi's gonna win it, and Messi's hasn't played a full season, and I've been tempted to vote for him as well, even though some of that data means what he's done when he's played has been phenomenal, and I think it's I think a vote for Messi's kind of a vote for all of Inner Miami, So
I feel comfortable doing that. I don't want to try and get cute and go against the tide here and say hey, because all the other candidates are worthy, but this is such a unique year for what Inner Miami does, and you can give it to Suarez, but I think the vote for Messi is more encompassing. It's just the way it is in sports. Maybe it's not one hundred percent fair, but I mean Mucho Acosta and Kucher Nanda's phenomenal. And I didn't put Cincinnati there because they've been so
spotted on the road. But there's still a top team in the regular season that Spucial cost that's certainly deserved it. But I think, you know, Messi, especially with this big finish, the supporter shield and all is the is the guy and probably wins it pretty convincingly.
So, yeah, seventeen goals, fifteen assists. That is tied for the top of Major League Soccer right now with thirty two goal contributions, and he has thirty two goal contributions max in less than fifteen hundred minutes. I mean, it's just it's absolutely remarkable what he has. Donnie, He's just basically done exactly what ninety nine percent of people thought. He wouldn't just take over and run this league and
if if they're healthy, I'm with you. I don't see anybody taking Miami for this for this title this year.
And Ricky Pouch is the guy that I think has to be mentioned because of this phenomenal I think the Galaxy outside of MVP are going to win a lot of these awards. I think Vandage should be the coach. I think tex should be the Newcomer of the Year, so they're going to be well represented. Are the guy that brings it all.
Together really quick.
Sorry Vanny is and Vanny Sartini Coach of the Year from Vancouver, Greg Vanny Okay, was just was just checking, was just was just checking. From on my mind, I'm like, wait a second, there. No, that's a good shout. It's a good shout.
I need to do it. I need I need a drug chest at this all due respect to Vanny, I love.
Him, I love it, I love it. Max.
Always great to talk with you, great stuff. I have a great call here for Galaxy Houston in a week and a half. We'll be watching for sure out of the corner of our I as Sounders host the Timbers, uh and we will assumably hopefully probably see you for at some point with the playoffs. I think you and I want to say you and Dunny had all three Sounders Dallas games last year.
I feel like or maybe it was maybe it was you guys. I don't know.
Yeah, that's right, I remember because I had you guys back and forth, back and forth every week for the interviews. But we'll be talking soon. Man, always great to get you on the show. I could spend an twenty with you, but we'll talk very soon.
Likewise, Jackson, and if I get the assignment to go to Seattle, I couldn't be happier. The time up there is just wonderful. I saw photos of was it the new walkway that's been finished? It looks spectacular. I'm so excited for your city and hope it rakes in millions of dollars during the World Cup and the Club World Cup and all of that, because honestly, and I'm saying this to be chuge, because I'm on the Sounders weekly. If I had to watch a World Cup game, I
had a choice, it would be in Seattle. I think it's going to be phenomenal with that setup they have downtown right there on the Bay. Just so exciting for you guys. So enjoy it.
Oh, we cannot wait for it.
Yeah.
Then the new overlook walk down up from the Aquarium is just yeah, it'll be great to have it out here in a couple of years. Club World Cup next year too, and it's going to be a wonderful next couple of years for soccer in Seattle. Hopefully it'll be a wonderful next couple months. But we'll see how things go. Max have a great call coming up in a week and a half. We will talk soon. All good, my friend, appreciate your time.
Thanks Jackson, Thanks everyone.
That's great.
Stef there from Max brettis MLS season pass on Apple TV broadcaster again. He will be on the call for Houston LA Galaxy, which we of course will have an eye on here in Seattle as it depends on seating and if Houston could be the team that the Sounders do face in the first round, so he will be on one of those very important Western Conference calls for Decision Day in a week and a half. Ari Lillienwall still is going to come up here in Sounders Weekly.
He's sliding to our final segment tonight. Of course, writer and editor for mlsoccer dot Com and the host of the podcast Lobbing Scorches. We're really not gonna get too deep into any Portland preview today. I will say every week we do these sharp Vision upon Analyx, but we're really gonna focus on that into next week's show, so I will have everybody that our sharp Vision upon Aalyx each week are presented by sharp Vision, Modern Lasik and Lens,
the official Lasik provider of Sounders FC. We'll get into that next week with Timbers, but we still got to talk about what we're seeing from our Sounders both in the last week with three shutout wins, and also kind of specifically have a couple questions there for Ari on a couple players I know you know. About twenty minutes ago, Max and I talked about Pedro dale Vega. I want to see what Ari has been seeing from Pedro. So
a few things to go over here. As we are celebrating a nine point week with zero goals conceded for the Sounders, we'll have Ari Lill and welcome up next on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders FC Settle's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Welcome back, Sounders Weekly, Jackson Feltz here. Good to have you with us here on a Wednesday, Sounders Weekly, ninety three point three kjr FM. Still a week and a half away from decision Day. We're gonna spend next week's show really talking about the Parland Timbers. We won't dig into that much tonight, but great to have Max brettus there in that previous couple of segments there for the last twenty five minutes or so.
But coming up right now.
Is our good friend from mlssoccer dot com. He's a writer and editor and he hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorchers, which you can get anywhere you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app It's our good friend, Ari lillianwall Ari, how you doing.
Man, I'm good. Jackson, how are you doing?
I'm good man, I'm good. All right, let's get into it, because it was a very good week for the Sounders. Nine points, zero goals conceded. This team seems right now like all wheels are rolling in motion in a good form. But we know that it's still going to be a while until the playoffs start. So coming out of this week right now, how high are the Sounders soaring?
In your book?
I mean, I think you've got to feel pretty good about where they stand heading into the playoffs here. I think they've salvaged quite a bit down the stretch with these last few results, especially these last two very impressive road results, first like that convincing when at Vancouver and then just a really good professional road win at Colorado. I think the defense is firing on all cylinders right now. I think they're on three straight clean sheets, which that
can take you pretty far come playoff time. And I think they've come a long way in attack as well. Albert Rusnak has had a really strong end of the season here. Jordan Morris hasn't found the score sheet in the last couple of games, but I think he's still been playing really well. And I think between Paul Rothrock and Georgie, I mean, we've talked a lot about the lack of why production on this team. That's about his exciting winger duo as you have going on in the
league right now. Surprisingly enough, just in terms of the production that they've been putting out and the performances. So I think, strangely enough, given how tough this season has been at times, this team should feel pretty good about making a run in the playoffs.
Yeah, and they kind of the question that certainly. What came up with Max and I was LAFC v. Seattle and if it is the two to three game in the West Semifinal, you know how we'll feel about that. I mean, obviously, for Sounder fans, we just it's annoying to have to loose them over and over and I personally just don't want to have to face LAFC again.
But he was saying, where listen, I'm an LAFC employee and I don't want to face the Sounders because of the law of averages, and at some point the Sounders are gonna get us if we are looking at a two to three seed and we are eventually looking at it at a LAFC Seattle as things stand on October ninth here this Wednesday, how are you feeling if it is going to be Seattle is the three, LAFC is the two, and a collision course ahead.
I mean, I still wouldn't feel great about that matchup given the recent history between those two clubs, but I would say I feel better about it as things currently
stand than I did even a few weeks ago. Seattle's playing a lot better I think right now, and they're in much better form than they were at the junctures that they met LAFC in those previous meetings where it's been one sided, admittedly, but I think the thing is, you know, LAFC, I think is the only matchup that really should scare Seattle at this point, given how wide
open everything else in the West looks. I mean, the Galaxy finished ahead of LAFC on the table, but Seattle got the better of them the last two those times those two teams played, and no one in the West really has separated themselves other than those two LA teams really at all this season, So I think with the caveat that LAFC presents a difficult matchup that Seattle has not done very well in recently the rest of the West,
I think they match up quite well. And if LAFC somehow gets eliminated, which in the playoffs anything could happen, then I think Seattle's chances get even better. So I wouldn't say they're the favorite, but I don't think they're. I don't think they're among like the long shot underdogs either. I think they're They look like a contender in the West to me.
Yeah, Max said he thinks the Sounders are one of five teams right now that can go win NLS Cup, that being Galaxy, LAFC, Sounders, Miami, and Columbus. He doesn't even think anybody else really has a shout, it seems like to make MLS Cup. That's a good transition into talking about your week's winners and losers, as most teams right now have just one game left in the season. Coming out of this last week, we know Miami got the shield and they are celebrating accordingly, But who else
kind of are in your group? As we'll start with winners, who else really got a great week apart from the Sounders obviously that probably had the best week in the league.
Yeah, apart from Seattle and I think Inner Miami and winning the Shield and also still being alive for the points record, they're sitting pretty right now and I think they're the pretty clear MLS Cup favorite as it stands. I think you have to mention LAFC with their three
to zero winter at Sporting Kansas City. They actually had a little bit of a dip in form around the Open Cup Final, but they look back to regular LAFC at this point, So I mean, I do think it's them and the Galaxy that are the clearcut front runners in the West. But I personally will probably take LAFC at this point given result. But you did have the Galaxy getting the big win over Austin FC as well, so there quinching they're going to get the number one
seed in the West, it looks like. And then I think Orlando is the other one that stands out to me as far as getting hot at the right time. They went to Cincinnati and took a three to one win, so they look like they're one of the hotter teams in the West. In the East as well, and honestly, out of that group that Max mentioned there, I think I would throw Orlando in there. Frankly, based on how
they've looked down the stretch. They're kind of under the radar, one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment.
What's Nicholas Ladero doing for them?
I think I saw like what as of like a couple of weeks ago, he had ten assists. It seems like he's having a pretty good year down in Orlando.
He is having a pretty good year. I actually looked this up the other day. He's at one goal, elevenists, and I think a couple other goal contributions if you factor in across all comps. So maybe not the year of vintage Nico, of his peak in Seattle, and not as productive a year as Albert Rusnak has had playing that position in Seattle, but he's definitely not fully watched.
The double digitusist season is what he's been good for pretty much every year of his MLS career, So he's had a nice little year all ri.
Let's go from Seattle's old number ten to Seattle's new number ten. You mentioned the winger strength, right now and then how well we're doing with Georgie, Paul and Pedro.
But I do want to ask about Pedro.
And I asked this, you know, a question to Max a few minutes ago about his integration, and you know, he kind of just said, you know, the patience is how we see success, so just got to be patient
with it, even if it leads into next year. But I've been kind of comparing this to, you know, seeing a loading or buffering bar on an internet video, and I'm just I'm not seeing the loading bar, you know, go as fast as I really want it to, and I think we're seeing little bits of you know, spurts and a little bit more good, a little bit more, a little.
Bit, a little a little bit more.
And I'm wondering kind of how you assess Pedro's situation right now if there is a loading bar, what percentage do you think it's at of seeing Pedro dale Vega at the player that he will and should eventually be with the Sounders.
Yeah, I mean, I totally agree with how you framed it as far as it feels like it hasn't gotten to the point where we all expected it to or wanted it to yet and it's been a frustrating year for him with all the injuries and stuff. But I will say this game, in particular at Colorado, I think I was I came out of it the most encouraged by it, And I'll tell you why, because he had at least two or three moments in this game of stuff that I hadn't really seen yet that I've been
looking for as far as you know. You look at the individual moment and it's like, Okay, that is something that not every player can do, that's unique, that sets a part, that adds something to this team that it
didn't have previously. And there were two or three moments where I felt that very strongly in that game, attacking movements he made and movements to eliminate defenders that it just really felt like it was tapping into an element that this attack may not have had if he can bring that consistently, and I think that's a really good sign.
And I think the fact that he was actually showing those glimpses multiple times in this game, more so than he had previously, I think that gives hope that maybe he could unlock something a different level in going into the playoffs here, which I think could that could elevate this team ceiling quite a lot more. Now, the thing is he has to consistently show that over full nineties, ideally taking on a big minutes load, stay on the field, stay fit and all that, and that is definitely far
from a given as we've seen this season. But I was encouraged to see him have a couple a few of those moments in this game at Colorado, even if, like you said, the loading bar is probably not it's not quite where we all want it to be yet.
Yeah, if the loading bar was at like a seventy percent before Colorado, it might be an eighty percent now. Because I agree with you, I think we saw lots and wants more, but it is still just incrementally a little bit by a little bit, like by a little bit when you kind of you know, the view from thirty five thousand feet. Ariy Luenell was our guest mlsccer dot com. He's a writer and editor there. He hosts the podcast Lobbing's Scorch, which you can get wherever you
get your podcasts, including the iHeart Radio app. Ari let's kind of figure out where the sounders go here in terms of what they have on the field.
I think you know, as Brian Spencer said.
On KJR last week, Paul Rothrock has solidified himself and to a you know, every game starter there on the wing. Pedro you gotta think is on the other considering how much you know you you could get out of him once that loading bar hits one hundred. So then the question becomes the rest of the midfield Alberts, you know, twenty five goal contributions, he's.
In the middle of the wingers.
And then you have the interesting question of the two holding midfielder spots. And I'll also throw in the right back spot Christian Rolldon, Alex Roldan, Obed Vargas, Joel Paulo because JP, now he came off the bench, he looks good and when he's healthy, there's the question of should Joe al Paulo go right back into the starting lineup, which you would think would force Christian Roldan then.
To right back.
So of those four guys, if you're looking at planning out this Portland game, does JP stay on the bench, you know, just because he's continuing to work back. Is it Alex Rodan that has to sit? Do you take out Obed Vargas, who gets called up by the Mexican national team. Who is your odd man out of that four when every one of those four are one hundred percent healthy.
Yeah, No, it's definitely a good question. It's an interesting question. I see it as a situation where you ride the hot hand. I think the double pivot of Christian rolled On and Obed Vargas has looked very good at these last few games, and I think if there's something that's been consistent through a good run of form such as that, then I think you keep writing it. I don't think putting JP back in there and maybe dropping Christian back to right back and having Alex come off the bench,
that's not the worst idea. But I think that double pivot of Obed and Christian has been quite effective in the last few weeks. And I think Alex at right back has been He's had a bit of a little resurgent rundown the stretch as well, and I think they're getting results and they're producing on offense and playing really good soccer with the With that lineup, I would keep running that out there. And I mean it's kind of weird that would be a situation where you have both
Rabul Ruidiaz and jou Polo coming off the bench. But I mean, I see what they've been running out as their best eleven right now, and I don't see you if you know, I think it's an if it's not broken, don't fix this type of situation.
Yeah, I have to agree with you, And it's just weird to think about JP as a bench player. But if you can take a one nothing lead late into a playoff game and bring a healthy one hundred percent JP on at like the seventieth minute, you bring them on for a pedro in the seventieth leading one nothing. I mean, you just think about a game versus LFC where if the Sounders can smash one and then you know, play good defense and bring on JP for pedro at
you know seventy. That's a dream scenario. You know, to be able to use his leadership and you know, the ability to lock them down to to probably you know, keep them out of the.
Back of the that that would be a great situation. But I'm with you.
You just got to play that outstanding double pivot right now of o Bett and Christian because as you and Noah have talked about, extensively on lobbying scorchers that right now is leading to the Sounders getting all of these wins and all of these points. Ari, let's wrap up the interview today by getting your MLS MVP because of the ballot just hit our emails over the last couple of days.
I have submitted mine.
I won't tell you yet who I'm voting for because I don't want to sway you. Do you have or have you put in your ballot yet for MLS MVP?
Right not submitted my ballot, but I'm pretty sure I know who I'm going to vote for, and who is it. I think I'm vouted. I'm voting Kucco. I think, realistically, if we're being honest with ourselves about who the MVP is, regardless of how many minutes he has or hasn't played, obvious that it's Leonelman.
That's my vote.
Yeah, but but I am in the spirit of just trying to give it to a guy who has played a full compliment of minutes this season. I think I got to vote for Kucho, even though I know in my heart that the real correct answers.
Me thirty two gold contributions. I think both players have thirty two gold contributions. The only difference is Kucho did it in like twenty seven hundred minutes and Messi did it in like fourteen hundred minutes.
So exactly, I feel like that strengthens Messi's MVP candidacy if anything, I saw someone Ben Wright, who covers Nashville at Sea, made the great point that you could add a thousand more minutes onto the total that Messi has played, give him the exact same stats, and you would have to give him the MVT over Kucho, even though he's actually he got those numbers in half the minutes that Kucho played.
It's ridiculous. Good stuff.
Man.
We'll talk about Portland coming up next week in Decision Day. We'll dig into that game because there's a lot to talk about there, and I want to ask you to who the Sounders want to face in the first round. So much meat on the bone to get in next week's interview. So have a good weekend off. Do you get the weekend off?
There's only like a couple of games. Do you get it to free one this week?
I am off this weekend because I'm going out of town.
So Yice well enjoy it as am I, so let's enjoy our vacations and we'll talk next Wednesday.
Sounds good, Jackson, appreciate it.
It's good stuf there from Ari luenwallmlsoccer dot com and again check out his podcast Lobbing Scorches. And as I just mentioned, we will talk extensively about Sounders Timbers next week. Quickly broadcast details put it in your heads right now five thirty Providence, Swedish premat show six o'clock kickoff on Saturday, October nineteenth. That will be over our sister station of
Sports Radio nine to fifty kr AM. You will also be able to watch it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and listen in Spanish language on l Ray thirteen sixty. Again, that is a week from this Saturday, October nineteenth. One final note as we end tonight's show and that's that. Twenty twenty five season memberships are on sale. Now join the Sounders FC legacy and secure yours with the best fans in MLS now. Becoming a member is the best way to gain access to
the Club World Cup. We are working closevely with FIFA to get our season members access to tickets, including three Sounders matches there in the Club World Cup. Members also have access to MLS season pass ticket flexibility, access to our new training facility and clubhouse, plus more. Learn more at soundersfc dot com, backslash tickets, backslash memberships. So that will do it for Sounders Weekly tonight. Thanks to Max
brud Us and Ari Lullenwall for joining the show. Check out the podcast in case you missed it, any of it tonight Sounders Weekly wherever you get your podcasts. We will talk to you next week for another Sounders Weekly right here and at that time Wednesday at seven pm. Have a good rest of your weekend, have a good weekend off. We'll talk to you next Wednesday, and for right here and for right now. Fox Sports Radio is coming up next