Offensively frustrated Sounders continue to scuttle along in draw to Orlando City
By Charles Hamaker
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.
The Seattle Sounders hosted their annual pride match when they hosted Orlando City (Photos by Anthony May)
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.
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 its direction.
Offensive struggles have multiple factors
A few different aspects played into today’s match in terms of why the club failed to produce on the offensive end. First, we’ll take into account the fact that the Sounders were without offensive players Raul Ruidiaz (personal matter) and Ethan Dobbelaere (right hamstring strain), which takes out an immediate impact starter and a depth player on your bench that could've been used to help wear out Orlando’s defense in the second half. In terms of the three international players, attacking players Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan are with the USMNT for the Gold Cup (both participated in the draw the US had against Jamaica played during the same time as this match) while fullback Alex Roldan is with El Salvador. All of those absences are tough, and hypothetically Seattle could’ve won tonight’s game with some, let alone all, of those players available.
In terms of what the team can control, non-absence wise, the Sounders aren’t shop in the final third and haven’t been since May. The buildup has been there, but the finale of that passing and creation falls flat like a soda left out for an extended period of time. There’s a lack of creativity in the club to give them wide open shots on goal that would increase their chances to score and potentially help them break through this odd sequence of offensive ineptitude. Seattle has largely been bland on set pieces over the last few seasons, which takes another aspect of the attack away. Take that, the absences, and some downright back luck into account? And you get what we have right now, a Sounders team that is floundering to find answers to their own questions.
Clean sheets have been common
Despite all the attention and general frustration around the club being primarily focused on the lack of offense that the Sounders are producing, the defensive effort of Seattle shouldn’t be lost in these tough results. The Sounders have been able to total ten clean sheets over the course of twenty matches played this year, which is a massive success. Seeing that sort of defensive prowess, you’d think that Seattle is the best team in the league as their ability to deny goals would surely open up their offensive attack. That would be, if the Sounders attack was performing how they should perform. That hasn’t been the case, and it’s unfortunate that the performances of Stefan Frei and the team’s backline are somewhat being wasted.
When will accountability kick in?
There’s no lack of veterans on this Seattle roster. The club has largely remained the same, roster wise, over the past few years. There are a few known leaders on this team. So, you may ask, why in the world are these issues continuing to happen instead of having team leadership step up and help them get over this hump that they’re currently helplessly ramming into? It’s a great question, and it’s even more reason for frustration considering that the club has overcome issues to get to a greater goal of a trophy. Frustration is very visible, as shown by Nico Lodeiro throughout the course of the match. Whether that was with Orlando or with missing chances, it doesn’t matter. Seeing the sort of emotion and body language from one of the team leaders and veterans can tell you some about the club right now.
In this moment, it’s not as if hope is lost. The Sounders are leading the MLS in expected goals, and continue to create their own chances while their defense makes sure that points are split, not all lost to their opponents. There are positive things in play for Seattle, with their defense, depth (when healthy and not on international duty), and offensive chance generation. Their biggest and essentially only issue is the fact that they aren’t scoring goals and they can’t seem to get in a groove. The draw to Charlotte two matches is a prime example of that, with Seattle scoring three goals but conceding three as well, which included the equalizer late. The Sounders need to find their focus, and they need to do so FAST.
Quick notes
Following tonight’s draw, Sounders FC remains in third place in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference with 29 points, three points behind second-place LAFC and first-place St. Louis.
In seven all-time meetings against Orlando, Sounders FC moves to 4-1-2 all-time against the Lions. Seattle has never lost to Orlando at Lumen Field dating back to 2015 (2-0-2, 7 goals scored, 2 goals allowed).
On home turf at Lumen Field in 2023, Seattle has five wins, three losses and three draws through 11 MLS contests on the EQC Pitch.
Keeping the clean-sheet tonight, Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei recorded his 10th shutout of the season, moving him into sole possession of first place in Major League Soccer in this category.
Earlier this month against Portland on June 3, Frei recorded his 100th shutout in the MLS regular season. By hitting the century mark, Frei becomes just the third player in MLS history to accomplish the feat (Nick Rimando, Kevin Hartman). Tonight was his 101st career clean-sheet.
After being issued a yellow card in the 20th minute, Jackson Ragen is suspended for next Saturday’s match vs. Houston.
There was one change to Seattle’s lineup from Wednesday’s match at LAFC, with Héber replacing Raúl Ruidíaz at forward. Ruidíaz is out for today’s match, as he is currently in Peru due to the sudden and tragic death of his father earlier this week. Sounders FC is also without Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan and Alex Roldan due to international duty at the Concacaf Gold Cup.
To honor Ruidíaz and his family following the tragic death of his father earlier this week, Sounders FC players wore black armbands throughout tonight’s match.
Saturday’s matchup marked the 149th time that Seattle has faced an Eastern Conference opponent in the regular season since joining the league in 2009, playing to a 70-45-34 record, including a 42-15-19 mark in Seattle.
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.