October 23, 2024 • 45 mins
Tonight on Sounders Weekly, Jackson Felts recaps the wildness of decision day and the 1-1 draw against Portland with Alex Roldan, then looks at the entire Western Conference playoff field with Ari Liljenwall of MLS Soccer before previewing the first round against the Dynamo with Jesus Acevedo Jr down in Houston.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Coming to you live from Orelliot Avenue Studios of Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly
with your host Jackson Felts.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good eight and everybody, welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feltz
here talkin' Seattle Sounders FC soccer for the next hour
here on ninety three point three KJRFM, and it is
playoff time for your Sounders. They have finished the regular season.
They finished it in fourth place in the Western Conference
and there's a lot to break down over what happened
(00:33):
there at the very end of the regular season this
last weekend. Unfortunately, it is a one to one draw
against the Portland Timbers, which means that Cascadia Cup went
down to Portland. It did not end up here because
the Sounders needed to win. It also means that the
Sounders have not yet guaranteed themselves a CONCACAF Champions Cup
(00:54):
spot for twenty twenty five. They can still get that
if any number of I think like eight TOFF teams
win MLS Cup, the Sounders would get a conka CAF
Champions Cup spot, but that has yet to be gained.
So listen. At the end of the day, we're looking
at a situation for Seattle where because of that draw,
(01:14):
because of an RSL win, Sounders end up in fourth place.
Now that's not the only bad news. Yes, we have
to face the number five seed. But it's what happened
in the rest of the games that is really kind
of the gut punch. Because once the game was over,
Sounders Timbers, and we went to final whistle and we
(01:34):
all knew we were the four seed. Everything at that
moment was kind of just all right, we're frustrated, but
we got it. It's Minnesota gonna be the four or
five game the Minnesota United. We were in the five
seed in the moment, and we're gonna have to be
going through the LA Galaxy in the Western semi final.
All of that I think was at least for me,
(01:56):
like saying, all right, Minnesota has a terrible record against
the Sounders, and moreover, the sound was just a couple
months ago beat the LA Galaxy, and I think we
match up better with the Galaxy than LAFC. So great,
we can make it to the one four game in
the West semi and we can make it throw one
off against the Galaxy on the road where we've beaten
(02:16):
them before we beat them down in LA last year.
We only lost in LA earlier this year because of
like a third minute goal by Gabrielle Peck that really,
you know, was just a defensive and goalkeeping mistake in
the third minute. So all of this to say, I
think the Sounders were looking really you know, I was
looking positively at a chance to do a four seed
(02:37):
versus one seed game in LA against the Galaxy, and
then everything changed. So what happened was this, when our
game ended, about almost thirty seconds after we went final whistle,
the LA Galaxy scored on Houston to make it a
one to one game. Because of that one to one result,
(02:58):
LA Galaxy were back to being the number one seed,
Minnesota was back to being the five seed, and we
were looking at the situation that I just presented. So
when we went to final whistle, I'm like, all right,
bring on Minnesota, bring on the Galaxy the next round,
let's go to a West final.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Let's do this.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
And then in the one hundred and second minute, Daniel Starez,
a defender for the Houston Dynamo, headed in a goal
for them, and that gave them a two to one win.
In the final seconds so the fallout from that goal
is massive, and not only for the Sounders. The fallout
(03:35):
is massive across the entire Western Conference because Houston, with
that win, the two to one win at the death
one hundred and second minute on decision Day, that vaults
them to the number five seed. So it means Sounders
versus Houston, Okay, first, not optimal because Houston, the Sounders
just beat them one to nothing in Seattle three and
a half weeks ago, but they didn't have Hector Herrera.
(03:57):
They will have Hector Herrera in the first game of
the playoffs and all these playoff games as long as
he's healthy. Hector Herra is back and he's a very
very good player. So you know, I want to talk
to Ario LULINOI, who's coming up in a few minutes
about this. But of the three teams the Sounders could
have faced, Minnesota, Colorado and Houston, Houston was the team
I wanted to face the least, and we have to
(04:19):
face Houston. But that's not all. Because Houston beat the
La Galaxy and because LAFC won by two plus goals,
that meant that the Galaxy dropped the number one seed
in the West and LAFC rose to the number one seed,
So that means if the Sounders do get past Houston,
we have to face LAFC in the second round of
(04:41):
the playoffs. They are those West Semis and listen, we
all know the history. LAFC knocked us out of the
playoffs last year in the West Semis. Well, actually, LAFC
knocked us out of the playoffs last year in the
West Semis. LAFC knocked us out of League's Cup. LFC
knocked us out of Open Cup. It was like, you
know what, two games in less than two weeks. So
(05:02):
we know the history. LAFC is our bugaboo, and we
seemed potentially to be on a collision course with them
again if LAFC can get past the winner of Vancouver
and Portland, which kicks off there in about thirty minutes.
So all of this to say, we went from having
to look at Minnesota and the Galaxy having to look
(05:23):
at Houston and LAFC. That's not great, Bob and I
for one, it's just it's really unfortunate. And then to
make matters worse, Obed Vargas got his red card. I
believe that means that he is suspended for this first
game of the Houston series. I want to clarify that
with Ari as well. But listen, none of this is optimal.
(05:44):
And you know in the game itself, losing obed, losing
Cascadia Cup, not securing a CCC spot, and then you
have to face Houston and LAFC in the playoffs, that's
your bracket. None of this is optimal. Like really, we
can all be real with ours and be a little
bit frustrated at the situation, but it is what it is,
and the Sounders have their road and we can only
(06:07):
hope that the defense continues to perform at the level
it has one goal conceded in the last four games.
The offense comes together, we get a Paul Rothrock resurgence,
he gets back to how he was playing. Peter de
Lavega integrates, you know, continues to integrate. I thought he
played well, but not well enough clearly for the Sounders
to get that second goal. So we just need the
(06:29):
offense to come together and really fire on all cylinders.
We need the defense to keep performing the way it
is and maybe then we have a shot. But everybody
is going to need to play their best in order
to a get past Houston and b get past LAFC,
Which yeah, I mean in a few weeks. If we're
previewing that game on this show, that's gonna be a mother.
(06:51):
So we'll talk about that when the time comes. First
things first, and that is Houston. We will spend a
lot of time previewing Houston. We get it take from
Ari lullienwall in a little bit on the Dynamo, but
really we're gonna have a deep opponent outlook later tonight
with our good friend Hajesus Osceveto Junior. Hayesus used to
join me for lots of Sounders weekly interviews when we
(07:12):
did the thing kind of going around from city to city,
and he writes for the Bayou City and he covers
the Dynamo down there in Houston, and I'm really interested
to get his take on this Dynamo team coming to
town in this three game series. For schedule wise, we
should go over this schedule. Game one is next Monday.
It's not over the weekend. It's a Monday game for
(07:35):
the Sounders here on October twenty eight. It will be
a six o'clock Providence, Swedish premat show kickoff coming right
around six twenty five. You can watch that MLS season
pass on Apple TV. You can listen in Spanish like
Bunch on l Ray thirteen sixty. But again we will
have that here in English radio Sports Radio nine fifty
(07:55):
km nine to fifty AM for Sounders and Dynamo game
one this coming Monday. Game two will then be on
the following Sunday, November three. That's gonna be down in
Houston with a three thirty Pacific time kick and then
if necessary, if it's one to one, and by the way,
it's a full penalty kick situation, so if it goes
(08:17):
tied and then we go to penalties winner if penalties
wins the game, so that's how that works. If game
three is necessary, that would be then on the next Sunday,
November tenth, at a four pm kickoff. Of course, station
assignments to come later on for those, but Game one
will be here at Luminfield this coming Monday, again six
(08:39):
o'clock pre match six to twenty five kickoff Sounders Dynamo
Game one. We'll preview that later tonight after the Timbers game,
after the Sounders got a one to one draw, obviously,
the locker room was not feeling very good. But had
the chance to go in there and talk to Alex Droldon,
Alex who of course started and played in that Portland match,
(08:59):
and his take on the game, Houston coming up, what
he saw from the officiating, and of course just kind
of the mood in the locker room. So here was
my conversation after the one to one draw with Alex
rolled on.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Yeah, we're frustrated. I think we played a good first half.
You know, we shut them down, they didn't really have
any chances, we got the goal we needed, and then
rolling into the second half just turned into a chaotic game. Again,
we had chances, we didn't put them away, and you
know that kind of puts pressure on our defense for
to stop a counter and unfortunately they were.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Able to score that. So a bit frustrated, but.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Nonetheless, you know, we got to keep our heads high
and focus on the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Now that chaotic nature they're in the second half. Obviously
they get that counter that one, but on the offensive minute,
how did you see that kind of chaok nature come out?
You know before going down a man I should mention,
you know, in not getting that second goal.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Yeah, I think I think before all that happened and
we had some clear, you know, one B one chances,
a couple that that we got Roston went to the
back post, and so some half chances. But I think,
you know, the main message I think that we're focusing
on is, you know, how do we close out games,
especially now rolling into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
We've done a good job here at.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Home of gaining the lead, but it's it's it sometimes
becomes a habit where we we kind of revert to
how do we protect this lead instead of, you know,
really put our foot on the gas and finish the game.
So I think that's the message moving up forward is
how can we truly put games away before we get
to the sixty minute mark?
Speaker 3 (10:29):
You know, So that's that's the message here.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I don't want to get in trouble here, but one
of the things we were talking about, me and Brad
Evans on the post game show was how it seemed
like you guys had a lot of chances to keep
going if fouls were cold, advantage was not played. Was
that frustrating for you having to, you know, be part
of that where it just feels like you guys have
a chance to counter and go forward and get a goal.
But the play stops.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I mean, yeah, certainly, there's there's always that that outside
factor that's gonna you know, the determined the flow of
the game. I won't say that it determined the result
of the game, but it determines the flow of the game.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
You know, we're really putting our foot on the gas.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Trying to trying to you know, ride tackles, and then
once we ride them and we get that second chance
to play on, you know, we're going to continue to
do that. We had a few chances to do that
to really counter them, you know, what could have been
a three.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
V one chance or two v one chance. So it's
certainly frustrating.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
We're not putting the blame on that, but it definitely
disrupts the flow. And uh, you know, for these derby
games especially, we need people who who can really control
the game. Just just because they're derby games, they become chaotic,
they become hectic, and so that's definitely a determined determining
factor of how the game is played out.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
And I imagine extra frustration and extra anger coming of
the fact that Cascadia Cup goes to them.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Yeah, certainly that's not something that we want to give up.
We had the chance to do it, We were in
control of the game. One slip up, one counter, and
you know it's it's an unfortunate result for us now.
But again, we got to keep our heads high. We
you know, we've we've crawled back from terrible position that
we were in in the front half of the season,
and so there's a lot of positive things we still
need to look at. And you know, we're trying to
roll into playoffs and with some confidence and you know,
(12:10):
try to overcome this and keep this rolling.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Houston Dynamo team that you guys faced here three weeks ago,
one one nothing, three weeks ago. What do you remember
about the Houston Dynamo and challenges for the first round?
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Yeah, I think you know, they're they're a really good
possession based team, really good attacking half.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
So our defense is gonna put up to a big challenge.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
But I think again, if we play a solid half
of both defense and offense, I think it's an it's
gonna really help us. If we can close out a
game by the sixty seventieth minute marks, it's where it's
going to become crucial for us, especially leading in the playoffs.
You know, it's always a it's always anyone's game. So
I think the emphasis is is how do we close
out games earlier?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
The weirdness of the first round where it's like a
three game series and then following rounds are one game.
I know steph Over there has been pretty vocal about
how much he doesn't like it. Well, how do you
feel about it?
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I think it's it's it's un orthodox for sure, playing
the same team potentially three times in the first round
and then go to single elimination makes no sense. But again,
those are the cards that we're dealt with, and so
we got to put up with it. We got to
face the same team and try to close it all
into and hopefully move forward.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Does an eye at all go to what a second
round would look like l EFC Portland Vancouver at all?
Does it? Do you even give an eye to what
that would look like? Or is it all both eyes
on Houston?
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think our focus is Houston. You know we overcome them.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
They're not an easy team and you know they're going
to be a big challenge, so I think our focus
needs to be primarily on them.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
It's good stuff there from Alex scholdon Good to Chat
with him there in the locker room after the one
to one draw. You could hear it in his voice.
He was frustrated. The entire team was frustrated that they
weren't able to hold on and get that win and
weren't able to put a second goal in the back
of the net when they had the chance. But listen,
losing Obed Vargas to the red card. That's frustrating as well.
(13:49):
And I want to ask our next guest, Ari Lungenwall,
if Obed is suspended for this first playoff game or
if he suspended the first game next season because it
was a regular season contest. It's an important question. I
want to get his take on this entire Western Conference
and how everything is shaping out. Lots of things to
go over here with Ari, our good friend from mlssoccer
(14:10):
dot com and the podcast Lobbing Scorches. Ari joins us
next here on Sounders Weekly on Sports Radio ninety three
point three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc CL's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Welcome back, Jackson felt Sounders Weekly. Good to have you
with us on this Wednesday night. We are just about
five days now from Sounders facing the Houston Dynamo game
one of the playoffs. We're going to preview that extensively
throughout the rest of the night. Ari Lillienwall, who's on
hold right now, and then Heesus Ossevedo Junior of the
(14:47):
Bayou City and down in Houston, will join us in
our next segment. Before Ari hops on, I'll let you
know that Sounders e FC Soccer is presented by Providence Swedish,
the official healthcare partner of Sounders FC. Ari Lillian Wall
host of the podcast Lobbing Scorches, which you can get
wherever you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app. He's
also a writer and editor for Mlsoccer dot Com. Ari,
(15:09):
welcome back to the show, my friend. How are you.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
I'm great, Jackson, looking forward to the playoffs. Love this
time of year.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Yeah, we're just about what about twenty minutes away from
Portland versus Vancouver in a location that White Cap fans
are not very happy about.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I'd see if we can.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Carve out a minute to ask you about that game
kicking off in twenty minutes. In just a few before
we go there, though, we got to start with Sounders
Portland and just the entire decision day for Seattle. I
want to ask you about the officiating. I want to
ask you a couple of specific questions, like if Obed
Vargas is going to be out or if it translates
(15:49):
then to the first game in next season. But before
we get to any of that, let me just ask
you kind of the basic blunt question. Considering what happened
in the Galaxy Houston game and considering Cascadia Cup goes
to Parland, and considering how the game went to not
get the win, could Decision Day have gone any worse
for the Seattle Sounders.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
I mean, it could have gone worse if they lost
the game, you know, I think that would have been
worse than still getting the point out of the draw.
But I mean it was definitely a frustrating results, not
just because of the red card that you mentioned, but
because I thought the performance in the game from the
team was actually quite good to very good for a
(16:33):
lot of it, and a really bad concession and a
controversial red card meant that they kind of shot themselves
in the foot and didn't didn't get a chance to
get the three points out of it, but definitely, I
don't know if it was the worst decision day that
any team had, but it was a frustrating one. Let's talk.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Oh, bet Vargas gets the double yellow. You know our
friend Jeremiah sham sounder a hard He was the kind
of the pool reporter who asked for the clarification, and
you know, the referee basically just said it was a
display of frustration in the direction of the referee, and
it's sort of like, all right, well, in the direction
of like come towards I think was the exact word,
(17:16):
like come on here. There's there's a part of me
that wants to ask about the officiating overall. Maybe I'll
do it in a second. First point of clarification, obed
Vargas's red card does that apply to this first round,
first playoff game or does it apply to the first
game of next season.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Yeah, so, as I understand it, it goes into the playoffs,
So he'll have to serve his red card suspension for
this first playoff game. So they're not gonna have him.
Her game won against Houston.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, it's a good time that Joel Paulo is healthy.
Then he's off the injury report. Because JP is going
to be needed next to Christian for sure, and hopefully
Josh Atensio becomes kind of that depth piece in the
holding midfield and he comes back from his head injury.
But frustrating there, But thanks for the clarification. Let's talk
about the officiating overall, because on top of that, just
(18:04):
frustrating language that you know, the referee used after the
game in terms of that second yellow. In terms of
I think the thing that bothered me and Brad Evans
the most on the postgame show was the fact that
every single time it seemed like the Sounders had a
chance to play advantage and keep a play going and
have a chance to be on a break and be
you know, whether it's a you know, four on two
(18:24):
or three on one, whatever, it just felt like the
referee kept stopping play in the wrong times and it
feels like it happened three or four times. Was that
something that you noticed as well, and how poor was
the officiating over the course of the ninety minutes in
your eyes?
Speaker 5 (18:40):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's where all the frustration,
or at least a lot of the frustration from the
Seattle side started, was the sequences that you mentioned where
the rep wasn't letting them play advantage. You rarely see
Brian Schmetzer get super animated on the sideline like he
was getting during those sequences and the red car. The
second yellow and Obed happened right after the Portland goal,
(19:03):
so I think that also heightened tensions and frustrations, and
it kind of boiled over after that, But it was
I did think it was bizarre how he wasn't letting
Seattle play advantage the second time that happened. In particular,
it looked like Seattle would have had a pretty dangerous
sequence in the aftermath if you had just played advantage
(19:23):
like you should have, So that was weird. I mean,
as for the second yellow on Obed, I it's a
subjective call. I don't like that call there, like the
yellow for descent. It's an emotional game. It's a Darby game.
Emotions run high, and I didn't think open unless he
said something crazier out of pocket, which it did not
(19:44):
look like he did, then I think that's one where
you kind of you have to let players show motion
on the field. So I thought that was a tough call.
And another thing I didn't like about it is that
it seemed like it seemed like he didn't realize that
Obed was already on a yellow and wouldn't have shown
it to him if he had like processed in the
(20:04):
moment that he was going to get sent off. But
that should not be the criteria for why you give
a yellow or not, you know, So I do think
I do think the officiating was interesting in this game
to stay the least. But that being said, I mean,
if Seattle is able to convert the one of the
myriad of chances they had to get a second goal
(20:25):
on top of that first goal, then they put themselves
in a great position to probably win that game. So
I think you do have to acknowledge that as well.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
Aria Lunel was our guest. He hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorchers.
He's a writer and editor for MLS Soccer dot Com.
I hadn't thought about that point of the referee didn't
realize he was already on a yellow. That's a nice
little perception point right there that I think, you know,
if they if the referee truly didn't know, then you know,
that's a big, big screw up right there, and it's
(20:56):
it's a shame because It's a referee who had never
even been part of this dark and when you're the
head referee for a big, emotional, you know, rivalry game
like this, you got to know these things and you
got to understand the tensions are high. So he in
my book, I understand how you got to dance around it.
In my book, it was an abject failure and he
was an absolute embarrassment to pro there for Saturday's decision
(21:20):
day match Sounders Portland. You know what, before we talk
about the rest of MLS and go over decision day
across the league, which was a wild decision day, let's first,
because we're on the subject of Portland, talk about what's
happening here. In just about fifteen minutes, you got Timbers
white Caps kicking off at Providence Park and I can
see the photos and obviously Providence Park is decked out
(21:41):
with you know, thousands and thousands, twenty thousand plus Timber fans.
Although the Portland Timbers are the nine seed, they are
supposed to be playing at the eight seed Vancouver white Caps,
but Vancouver can't have the game at BC Place because
of a motocross event. As I stand and am I
also understanding right that the MLS deemed that there was
(22:04):
no other suitable location in the area at all, and
this game tonight has to be played at the lower seed.
They couldn't have found any better location than to have
the lower seed hosting this damn game.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Yeah, I think you have that right, Jackson, Which is
a very unfortunate turn of events for the Vancouver whitects,
to say the least, and it actually undermined a lot
of the drama that was supposed to happen in decision
day with that matchup I think was supposed to be
for who had hosting rights for that wildcard game, and
then they found out beforehand that Portland gets the hosting
(22:39):
rights either way because of a motocross event. So, you know,
anytime I see something like a motocross event taking over
a team's home field and them not being able to
host a playoff game there, I think it's a reminder
that we as a league with MLS, have a fair
amount of a way to go in terms of getting
to where we want to go, and you know, we
(23:02):
aren't get offered reminders of that at times. But as
far as how it affects this situation, I mean that
is that is bad for the Vancouver white Caps. I mean,
home field advantage in the playoffs is huge and they
have a pretty good one, especially for big games at
BC plays. So to have to change that to traveling
to go into one of the hardest environments to play
(23:23):
in in the league, in Portland, I mean that is
a pretty tough break to start your playoff campaign.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I mean, God, if you're Vancouver, I would have just said,
is there any way we can play it at lumin
because at least then we're making some Portland fans travel.
We know, we'll have a few thousand coming down from Vancouver,
and you'd get a few thousand Sounder fans and they're
just a boo the Timbers, like or was there an
auto show happening at lumen Field ha ha ha. Then
they couldn't just I.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Don't know if it makes sense to have a neutral
site game in the playoffs when everyone else that has
to contend with home field advantage in that type of
I don't know. There might be a competitive balance.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Argument, frustrating for Vancouver and frustrating that Porlan gets the
upper hand for the match kicking off in just a
few minutes. That can be seen on MLS Season Pass
on Apple TV. Fans can also watch all of Sounders
and Houston Dynamo there. And this really does begin our
Sharp Vision opponent a look taking a look ahead at
(24:20):
Sounders versus Houston in the first round of the playoffs.
I'll mention that tonight's opponent alk is presented by Sharp Vision,
Modern LESAC and Lens, the official Lasik provider of Sounders FC.
Last week, Ari, you and I ranked of the three
teams Sounders could face, Colorado, Houston, and Minnesota. I think
we both had Houston as the third team we'd want
(24:40):
to face. I know for you said Colorado and then Minnesota,
and I had Minnesota then Colorado. But it ends up
being the Dynamo. And that's a team that the Sounders face.
What three and a half weeks ago at Luminfield beat
one nothing, but that was without Hector Herrera, right, So
this is a good Houston team. There is a reason
why we didn't want to face the Dynamo right here.
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Yeah, No, they're not a bad team at all. I
think they're a pretty similar team to Seattle. Honestly, I
rate them in similar ways, not just because they finish
close to each other. On the table. But I feel
like they're like the way they play, their game models
and the way their rosters are set up are kind
of similar if you really, if you really look at it,
(25:23):
like they're both very technically skilled and defensively sound teams
that maybe don't have the firepower and attack that some
of the upper upper tier teams and MLS have. I
think you could say that both of those teams have
that quality, but they have some very good individual players,
like you mentioned Hector Herrera. He's one of the best
(25:44):
two way midfielders in the league for sure. And this
new DP that they have is Zekiel Ponce seems like
he's been started scoring some goals for them, so that's
given them a little bit of a boost and attack.
But I think what you have here is a team that,
like I said, is very defensively sound, pretty good at
can they have a very good midfield, they're good at
(26:04):
controlling the tempo of the games, and they're good in possession,
much like Seattle is. So I think it's definitely a
clash of kind of similar game models and skill sets
and who does it better. And you know, I do
think Seattle is slightly favored in this scenario because the
way I kind of look at it is like Seattle
is a very slightly better version of what Houston is
(26:26):
right now, and so in a scenario where they have
home field advantage, I think they are a slight favorite
with this really being a toss up series, two teams
that I think are very similar in quality and play style.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
We're gonna talk more about Houston with our next guest,
Hasius Osceveto Junior coming up in the next segment here
in Soner's Weekly. While we're talking Houston, I gotta get
your Rea, and I know you were watching every single
one of the games on Decision Day. You probably had
all these different browsers with different games. Must have been
fun there, And I'm wondering as La Galaxy versus Houston
(26:59):
that game Decision Day was, I think the latest game
being played. It went one hundred and what three hundred
and four minutes with the two goals in the ninety
sixth minute and the one hundred and second minute to
effectively bounce LA Galaxy from the one seed and give
Houston the five seed and make Seattle have to go
through LAFC. All of these you know, dimmer ramification, what
(27:21):
was your reaction to that final ten minutes or so
of that game between the Galaxy and Dynamo.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
I mean, I think it just shows that the LA Galaxy,
for as improved as they've been this season, you can't
really change who you are at your core, you know,
so watching them choke choke the number one seed in
the final moment of the season, you know, it felt
like it felt right, felt like the La Galaxy we've
come to know and love over the last five or
(27:49):
so years since their run of dominance ended. But you know,
I think it's unfortunate because lafc at the one seed,
I don't think is when anyone necessarily wanted to see,
and the Galaxy were in the driver's seat for that
for this whole stretch run of the season and then
blew it at the last second. But honestly, I mean,
it was a very exciting ending to that game with Houston,
(28:12):
like you said, but I can't say I was surprised
to see the fate that befell the LA Galaxy because
that is kind of what they do. That's what they've
been doing the last few years. So it made sense.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
We were so close to having Sounders versus Minnesota and
then Seattle having to go through the Galaxy to get
to a West final, and then it completely flipped with
Daniel Starez's header there in the one hundred and second
minutes and all of our hearts sank. We'll only have
a couple more minutes here, so let me switch quickly
to the Eastern Conference. MESSI hat trick on decision Day.
(28:46):
I know your vote for a couple of weeks, as
we've talked, has been kuco Hernandez of Columbus being the
guy for MVP. Does And this is the last time
I asked this. I promise you this is the last
time I'll ask you. Does a hat on decision Day
officially swing your official vote to MESSI?
Speaker 5 (29:05):
Yeah. So I'm glad you asked this because we were
talking through my end of season award ballot on our
podcast on the last show, and as I was talking
talking my way through it who I was voting for
for MVP on our podcast, I came to the conclusion
that it really does not can't. I can't rationally make
sense of a vote for anyone else other than Messy's.
(29:28):
And I came to that conclusion before Decision Day, and
I literally I decided that that's who's getting my vote.
I think a guy with thirty two goal contributions in
whatever it was, fourteen hundred minutes is there's really no
reasonable argument for anyone else, even taking into account the
(29:49):
fact that he hasn't played as much as the other
candidates this year. And I feel good about it. I
think it's the correct vote. I think it's the vote
that everyone knows is the right vote if they're if
they're judging it on the merits. So yeah, I officially
made my decision on that, and Messi is getting my
MVP vote. And a fair amount of people disagree with
(30:10):
me on that, but like I said, I feel good
and convicted in it.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Yeah, no, and I agree with you. I think it's
Messi too. That's where my votes go. And and I
just would question the you know, listen, are we saying
that Messi doesn't get MVP because he didn't play the
thousand minutes? Or are we saying it? You know, I
don't don't understand what the reasoning is of why he
isn't getting MVP. He has the best numbers in the
entire league, and he's played a thousand less minutes than
(30:34):
everybody else if not more than a thousand less minutes.
So I don't understand it, but I'm with you. It's
for sure, MESSI. Now, let's set the percentages here.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
You know.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
I was on Saturday or Sunday Sports Live, I think
it was Fox thirteen on Sunday night, and Aaron Levine
asked me for the percentage chance of the Sounders make
an MLS Cup and I said it at about fifteen percent.
My numbers are like thirty five percent chance laf see
twenty five Galaxy, maybe like twenty RSL fifteen Seattle, and
(31:05):
then five to the rest. Do those percentages sound about
right to you? And then I want to ask it
for the rest of it involving Miami too, but just
for the Western Conference, as I kind of run down
the seating there and give an extra five to LAFC.
Do you see those percentages kind of shaping out to
be correct?
Speaker 5 (31:25):
I think that sounds about right. When I look at
this team's chances at making a MLS Cup run, I
think there are a couple things working in their favor.
Like they do have an elite defense which can take
you pretty far come playoff time, and they do have
players who are very experienced and proven in these moments,
and that can always benefit you come playoff time. But
(31:48):
when I just look at the pass I mean, I
think you're gonna have to go through a team that
just has realistically quite a bit more firepower than Seattle
has right now. Like when I look at both of
the teams LAFC and the Galaxy, playing either one of
those teams in a playoffs game is going to be
a tall order when you just look at what those
(32:10):
teams have in attack compared to what Seattle has had
this season. I just I would probably have to pick
the team that has Ricky Pooge and Joseph Painzill or
Denny Bowanga and the toos Bogus and the djrew in
an individual game in that scenario. So I mean, yeah,
I think the way you size it up is about
how I would have it.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
So let's throw it to MLS Cup overall, as the
playoffs began here and we know Miami's healthy, set the
over under, what is the percentage chance Miami walks away
with both the Shield and MLS Cup.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
I have that percentage as incredibly high, Like I really
see that as like a seventy five to eighty percentile outcome.
I mean, like I just I just think with them,
I mean, assuming full health. Yeah, having watched a lot
of their games this year and seeing what their ceiling
is when S and the Barst Boys are playing, I
think they are the best MS team I've ever seen.
(33:04):
They're about as close to unstoppable when they're on their
game as any like pro soccer team that I've ever watched.
So and I don't think any of the sort of
praise they're getting for how well they've played and setting
all these records is hyperbolic at all. I think it's
the best MLS team I've ever seen. And when they
(33:24):
get rolling, like I don't really I don't really see
anyone who stops them, even Columbus. I don't think Columbus
will stop them in the playoffs this year either.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
I'm with you. I think we both have the same
MLS pick, and that's Lionel Messi, you know, being MVP
and taking home the Shield and taking home the MLS Cup.
We're in the same boat there. I wouldn't go as
high as seventy five eighty. That's so, that's it. But
you're the expert here. That's why we turn to you
for for all these smart comments. Ari have a great podcast.
We'll all be listening to Lobbings Scorchers. Ihead a Sounders
(33:54):
Houston game one next Monday. Have a good weekend and
we'll talk to you next week. But had a game two.
Speaker 5 (34:00):
Thanks Jackson, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
It's good stuff there from ARILLLIONALLMLS Soccer dot com and
his podcast Lobbing Scorchers. Seventy five eighty percent. I don't
think that number is maybe wrong, but boy, that sure
is high. A quick note before we take a break,
and that's that. Twenty twenty five Sounders season memberships are
on sale. Now join the Sounders FC Legacy and secure
(34:22):
your spot with the best fans in MLS.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Now.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Becoming a member is the best way to gain access
to the club World Cup where working closely with FIFA
to get our season members access to tickets including three
Sounders matches. Members also have the access to MLS season
pass ticket flexibility, our new training facility and clubhouse, plus more.
Learn more at soundersfc dot com. Backslash tickets, backslash memberships.
(34:46):
All right, let's talk Houston Dynamo. Let's get the scoop
on that entire team. Our good friend, heyesus Ossevedo Junior,
who covers the Dynamo for the Bayoucitian down there in Houston.
He'll join us next year in Sounders Weekly on Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc clvil's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Welcome back Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feldt is good to be
with you right here. Sports Radio ninety three point three
kjr FM. Sounders Weekly Every Wednesday. We thank our guests
so far tonight Alex Rolledon and Ari Lillianwall. Check out
the podcast Sounders Weekly wherever you get your podcasts, including
the iHeartRadio app. Right after tonight's show ends, and we're
(35:32):
going to continue previewing Round one. Game one Sounders in
the playoffs is the four seed they're facing the five
seed Houston Dynamo. I think I said earlier tonight that
for Pacific time it was a six o'clock pregium. It's
actually gonna be a five thirty Providence Swedish pregame five
thirty pm next Monday, kickoff right around six pm. It'll
(35:54):
be over on Sports Radio nine to fifty KJR AM
for Sounders and Dynamo folks. You can all so listen
in Spanish like on l RA thirteen sixty and watch
the match on MS Season Pass on Apple TV. Somebody
who we used to have on every single time the
Sounders played the Dynamo, and we're playing them obviously up
to three times here in this first round, so I
(36:15):
need to make sure he got on Sounders weekly this week.
It has been a long time between now and when
we last spoke with Hey, sus Osceveto Junior, who writes
and covers the Dynamo for the Bayoucitian down in Houston. Hey, Suss,
it has been too long, my friend. How are you?
Speaker 6 (36:35):
It has been to long Jackson. While I know that
we communicated via Twitter.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
You know, I hadn't heard your voice.
Speaker 6 (36:42):
So it's good to be like, oh that's a Jackson towns.
Speaker 5 (36:47):
So yeah, good good.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
You're better off not hearing my voice for a long time,
but it's good to hear yours, my friend. Listen, Hey,
before anything else, we're gonna talk about the Dynamo and
talk about your team down there. In a moment, I'll
be coming down to Houston next week. I'm sure a
lot of Sounders fans will be flying down to Houston
next week. Send some recommendations. If we're down there is
the barbecue and what kind of cuisine do we need
(37:12):
to search out when we're down in Houston. If we
have one night, which will be for me Saturday night,
I guess breakfast to on Sunday morning. If I have
a couple of meals down there, where do I need
to go in Houston? What type of food do I
need to eat?
Speaker 7 (37:25):
Well?
Speaker 6 (37:26):
Shell Stadium is situated right in downtown Houston, so you're
ryan the center of it all, you know. And one
thing about Houston, I'll tell you can get any kind
of food around the world in Houston. You know, you
just got to go find it. But what Houston is
known for, just like you mentioned, barbecue is one of
those things. We have so many barbecues given our our
are like, drive through barbecue is really top notch.
Speaker 7 (37:48):
But that's just how can we you know, Papa's Barbecue
shout out. That was my first job. I was a
buzz boy. Uh But yeah, so that's an easy, very
drive through Papas Barbecue. Never this appalling Mexican text lenk not.
So we love here in Houston.
Speaker 6 (38:01):
You know, we have aniphus on navigation, the colors, the
mother of fajitas.
Speaker 7 (38:07):
This restaurant has been here so long. Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:09):
This old lady, Oh I leave this eagle. Uh person
ing Uh. You known Infa she created the whole Pahita play.
Speaker 7 (38:17):
So that's really down the street from from Shall Stadium.
You're not too far.
Speaker 6 (38:21):
So Saturday night, like if you're standing in downtown, that's
maybe five.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
Minutes from Shall Stadium, you know. Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:27):
And then Sunday morning, you gotta get you some breakfast tacles.
You know, right downtown there's brother Stackles. Is this join
where the line forms early in the morning. It's kind
of like the Bashal acting describe. Its kind of like
a subway where you go and then you're like, give
me a talk on that, Give me a talk.
Speaker 5 (38:41):
On that, give talk for that.
Speaker 7 (38:43):
You know, you you pick and choose, but.
Speaker 6 (38:45):
I'm gonna I'm gonna give one shout out to this
place that I go.
Speaker 7 (38:49):
It's it's a mom and pop place.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
And you know, now this is a little bit more
down the road, maybe maybe ten twelve minutes down the road.
Speaker 5 (38:57):
But this place is so authentic.
Speaker 6 (38:59):
This restaurant doubles at the bus stops for tricks to Mexico. Right,
that is Jackson authentic and you can love it.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
Tacos a manchi?
Speaker 5 (39:15):
Is that what you said?
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Moncheese, mon cheese? And all right, so brothers, so brothers,
tacos for the morning and Monchi's for the I love that.
That's fantastic. Great recommendations. Will be sure to hit that well. Uh,
you know, Hazus Osvedo Junior is our guest once again.
He covers the Houston Dynamo for the Bayou City and
down there in Houston, and man, it's been a while,
(39:39):
so let's talk about these Dynamo. Obviously, we just saw
him a few weeks ago here in Seattle and one
nothing win for the Sounders. But as you injured the
playoffs as the five seed coming off of a decision
to win over the Galaxy, what is the story of
the Houston Dynamo season, haesus, the.
Speaker 6 (39:57):
Story of the East This season, much like last season,
you know when the middle runs to the Western.
Speaker 7 (40:02):
Conference Finals, was a slow start.
Speaker 5 (40:04):
You know.
Speaker 7 (40:04):
Uh, this year's slow star was due to injuries.
Speaker 5 (40:07):
You know.
Speaker 6 (40:08):
Achiach was her uh and then a couple of people.
Speaker 7 (40:11):
Had these you know naeive injuries and then you know,
you know, getting the team and so they were not winning,
but they weren't losing, right.
Speaker 6 (40:18):
It was like a lot of draws, a lot of
one zero wins once their lass you know, zero silver draws.
Speaker 7 (40:23):
So they were just kind of getting together.
Speaker 6 (40:24):
They finally picked it up around summer when when some
of those injured players aren't coming back, mainly Achai is
at any surprise that went hector.
Speaker 7 (40:32):
Ed, I is playing the Dynamon doue better.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
So once they started playing more games, started more consistent.
Speaker 7 (40:38):
Uh, he just started picking the wins.
Speaker 6 (40:40):
You know, and and that has led up to the
search even with Achiata picking up an injury here in
the in the last month of the season, Houston starting
of talent, especially with that record signing of Konse Uh
there you know need no number ten striker, which signos
soph Barne.
Speaker 7 (40:56):
As happy with his performance yet, but you know he
did under in the middle of the season.
Speaker 6 (41:01):
You know, I'm sure Seattle Sanders fans nobody likes to
have a you know, deep coming.
Speaker 7 (41:04):
In the middle of the season and try and get
up to you know, emless speed but but yeah, this
is a team that they're very talented. You know, uh,
they're gonna love to possess the ball. You know, they're
up there, which your Columbus screw as far as like
we want the ball. The issue is they sometimes don't
know what to do when they have to fall to
get the ball to the back of the name Jackson.
(41:26):
You know, I don't think I have to to to
you know, remind you. But Seattle score the second few
is goals this season with fifty one. Only Houston scored
more than that forty seven goals. So both of these
two teams and it is scored a lot of goals.
So we can see some two thier games one one game.
So but yeah, but I know that's a long win.
The answer to your question of what the dynamo this season, no, I.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Think it's a it's a good answer to the story
of it because you know, like you mentioned, you know,
getting a DP up to speed. We have this guy
Pedro dalea Vega who's you know, been here since the
start of the year, and because of injuries and whatnot,
he's still getting up to speed. So so I hear
you out on that front. But we're just hoping your
guy doesn't get up to full speed just in time
for this playoff round. Now in the game up here
(42:08):
in Seattle, just what three and a half weeks ago
where the Sounders one one nothing Houston was without Hector
Herrera having him back for at least the first and
maybe all three games here in the first round of
the playoffs. Uh what will he mean to your team?
How much of a difference maker is Hector Herrera?
Speaker 5 (42:28):
I don't know if I will.
Speaker 6 (42:28):
Put the label a playmaker on him, you know, but
more so than like.
Speaker 7 (42:32):
Like the TikTok.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
You know, he's like moving the ball left to right,
keeping the keeping the dynamo within possessions.
Speaker 7 (42:38):
He's finding spaces.
Speaker 6 (42:40):
And then those spaces that key vacate in the midfield
dollars get field up. You know, you'll Coco slipmore in
size sometimes and have Dorsey spring up the right wing.
Speaker 5 (42:51):
Uh. So, not a playmaker so much.
Speaker 7 (42:53):
Maybe a tempo setter. Perhaps it's a you know, better
word for them, but no, and.
Speaker 6 (42:59):
It makes a big differ and you know they're they're
able to Well, he's not a playmaker, he.
Speaker 7 (43:03):
Still helps create the chances that may come. They may
not put them in the back of the neck, right,
So they're gonna get those.
Speaker 5 (43:09):
Chances and you know, go into the game.
Speaker 7 (43:11):
You know that was the one zero win by Seattle.
Speaker 6 (43:13):
Houston had the opportunity, not as much as they had
when Tector Rata is on the on the.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Field, Haysius, let's wrap it up with this, finish this sentence.
The Houston Dynamo will win Game one in Seattle if
they do.
Speaker 6 (43:27):
If they go into the half, we're not having completed.
Speaker 2 (43:31):
A go wow, that I mean, that's that's quite I mean,
because this game could easily then get to zero zero
at half. But you think you're so confident in the
Dynamo that if it's zero zero at half, you think
that Houston can come away with the win.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
I think they can.
Speaker 6 (43:46):
Maybe sneak away like a one zero win, like maybe
they strike early, you know, and then they can not
not bunk a right. But again, they didn't not to
set the ball, so by possession of the ball, and
that's gonna have to come.
Speaker 7 (43:55):
Hey, w you score. We can't lose at home in
front of all these fans. Now that they creates counter
attack opportunities for Houston.
Speaker 5 (44:02):
So but I think it could be if it's Heresday
has the Concio goal.
Speaker 7 (44:07):
Houston could win the game one, one zero.
Speaker 6 (44:09):
But you know, Shatto always has the late playoff magic moments.
Speaker 7 (44:13):
I'm sure I don't have to tut.
Speaker 2 (44:15):
That's exactly right. We come up with the you know,
ever since you know, the playoff run Nelson Valdez in
twenty sixteen, and obviously we faced you guys in twenty
seventeen and got past Houston. I believe Will Bruins scored
in that series. That was a great series for us
up here. But we'll see if we can rite another
great playoff chapter between our teams here in these next
(44:36):
you know, hopefully two games, but we'll see if it
goes three. Overall, I'll see you down in Houston in
about a week and a half. Hey, suss enjoyed the
game coming up next Monday. Thanks so much for joining us.
Speaker 7 (44:47):
Man sounds good, Jackson.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
I was definitely here here.
Speaker 6 (44:50):
Let's let's let's enjoy some Monday night football.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
Yes we will. Hey, sus Oscevedo junior rights and covers
the Houston Dynamo for the Bayou City and always love
talk to haesus. Way back when before we had weekly
Apple TV broadcaster interviews, going back to the days where
we used to bounce around the nation. I love having
Hayesus on and good to chat with him there ahead
of Game one, which will again be next Monday night,
(45:16):
five thirty Providence, Swedish Premade Show six o'clock kickoff, nine
to fifty KJR AM. We'll have the game, you know,
so listen in Spanish language on l Ray thirteen sixty
and of course watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Some great recommendations there from Aesus. I'll make sure to
hit those up there when we head to Houston in
a week and a half. Brothers, Tacos, tacos in the morning,
(45:39):
breakfast tacos sounds really damn good. Tacos sounds good right now.
I'm about to get off the air, go home'd be
great to have some drive through barbecue two here. All
of that sounds good for Houston when we travel in
a week. But before that, let's go get a Sounders
win in game one. We'll talk to you next Monday
five thirty on nine to fifty AM for Sounders and
Dynamo
Coming to you live from Orelliot Avenue Studios of Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly
with your host Jackson Felts.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good eight and everybody, welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feltz
here talkin' Seattle Sounders FC soccer for the next hour
here on ninety three point three KJRFM, and it is
playoff time for your Sounders. They have finished the regular season.
They finished it in fourth place in the Western Conference
and there's a lot to break down over what happened
(00:33):
there at the very end of the regular season this
last weekend. Unfortunately, it is a one to one draw
against the Portland Timbers, which means that Cascadia Cup went
down to Portland. It did not end up here because
the Sounders needed to win. It also means that the
Sounders have not yet guaranteed themselves a CONCACAF Champions Cup
(00:54):
spot for twenty twenty five. They can still get that
if any number of I think like eight TOFF teams
win MLS Cup, the Sounders would get a conka CAF
Champions Cup spot, but that has yet to be gained.
So listen. At the end of the day, we're looking
at a situation for Seattle where because of that draw,
(01:14):
because of an RSL win, Sounders end up in fourth place.
Now that's not the only bad news. Yes, we have
to face the number five seed. But it's what happened
in the rest of the games that is really kind
of the gut punch. Because once the game was over,
Sounders Timbers, and we went to final whistle and we
(01:34):
all knew we were the four seed. Everything at that
moment was kind of just all right, we're frustrated, but
we got it. It's Minnesota gonna be the four or
five game the Minnesota United. We were in the five
seed in the moment, and we're gonna have to be
going through the LA Galaxy in the Western semi final.
All of that I think was at least for me,
(01:56):
like saying, all right, Minnesota has a terrible record against
the Sounders, and moreover, the sound was just a couple
months ago beat the LA Galaxy, and I think we
match up better with the Galaxy than LAFC. So great,
we can make it to the one four game in
the West semi and we can make it throw one
off against the Galaxy on the road where we've beaten
(02:16):
them before we beat them down in LA last year.
We only lost in LA earlier this year because of
like a third minute goal by Gabrielle Peck that really,
you know, was just a defensive and goalkeeping mistake in
the third minute. So all of this to say, I
think the Sounders were looking really you know, I was
looking positively at a chance to do a four seed
(02:37):
versus one seed game in LA against the Galaxy, and
then everything changed. So what happened was this, when our
game ended, about almost thirty seconds after we went final whistle,
the LA Galaxy scored on Houston to make it a
one to one game. Because of that one to one result,
(02:58):
LA Galaxy were back to being the number one seed,
Minnesota was back to being the five seed, and we
were looking at the situation that I just presented. So
when we went to final whistle, I'm like, all right,
bring on Minnesota, bring on the Galaxy the next round,
let's go to a West final.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Let's do this.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
And then in the one hundred and second minute, Daniel Starez,
a defender for the Houston Dynamo, headed in a goal
for them, and that gave them a two to one win.
In the final seconds so the fallout from that goal
is massive, and not only for the Sounders. The fallout
(03:35):
is massive across the entire Western Conference because Houston, with
that win, the two to one win at the death
one hundred and second minute on decision Day, that vaults
them to the number five seed. So it means Sounders
versus Houston, Okay, first, not optimal because Houston, the Sounders
just beat them one to nothing in Seattle three and
a half weeks ago, but they didn't have Hector Herrera.
(03:57):
They will have Hector Herrera in the first game of
the playoffs and all these playoff games as long as
he's healthy. Hector Herra is back and he's a very
very good player. So you know, I want to talk
to Ario LULINOI, who's coming up in a few minutes
about this. But of the three teams the Sounders could
have faced, Minnesota, Colorado and Houston, Houston was the team
I wanted to face the least, and we have to
(04:19):
face Houston. But that's not all. Because Houston beat the
La Galaxy and because LAFC won by two plus goals,
that meant that the Galaxy dropped the number one seed
in the West and LAFC rose to the number one seed,
So that means if the Sounders do get past Houston,
we have to face LAFC in the second round of
(04:41):
the playoffs. They are those West Semis and listen, we
all know the history. LAFC knocked us out of the
playoffs last year in the West Semis. Well, actually, LAFC
knocked us out of the playoffs last year in the
West Semis. LAFC knocked us out of League's Cup. LFC
knocked us out of Open Cup. It was like, you
know what, two games in less than two weeks. So
(05:02):
we know the history. LAFC is our bugaboo, and we
seemed potentially to be on a collision course with them
again if LAFC can get past the winner of Vancouver
and Portland, which kicks off there in about thirty minutes.
So all of this to say, we went from having
to look at Minnesota and the Galaxy having to look
(05:23):
at Houston and LAFC. That's not great, Bob and I
for one, it's just it's really unfortunate. And then to
make matters worse, Obed Vargas got his red card. I
believe that means that he is suspended for this first
game of the Houston series. I want to clarify that
with Ari as well. But listen, none of this is optimal.
(05:44):
And you know in the game itself, losing obed, losing
Cascadia Cup, not securing a CCC spot, and then you
have to face Houston and LAFC in the playoffs, that's
your bracket. None of this is optimal. Like really, we
can all be real with ours and be a little
bit frustrated at the situation, but it is what it is,
and the Sounders have their road and we can only
(06:07):
hope that the defense continues to perform at the level
it has one goal conceded in the last four games.
The offense comes together, we get a Paul Rothrock resurgence,
he gets back to how he was playing. Peter de
Lavega integrates, you know, continues to integrate. I thought he
played well, but not well enough clearly for the Sounders
to get that second goal. So we just need the
(06:29):
offense to come together and really fire on all cylinders.
We need the defense to keep performing the way it
is and maybe then we have a shot. But everybody
is going to need to play their best in order
to a get past Houston and b get past LAFC,
Which yeah, I mean in a few weeks. If we're
previewing that game on this show, that's gonna be a mother.
(06:51):
So we'll talk about that when the time comes. First
things first, and that is Houston. We will spend a
lot of time previewing Houston. We get it take from
Ari lullienwall in a little bit on the Dynamo, but
really we're gonna have a deep opponent outlook later tonight
with our good friend Hajesus Osceveto Junior. Hayesus used to
join me for lots of Sounders weekly interviews when we
(07:12):
did the thing kind of going around from city to city,
and he writes for the Bayou City and he covers
the Dynamo down there in Houston, and I'm really interested
to get his take on this Dynamo team coming to
town in this three game series. For schedule wise, we
should go over this schedule. Game one is next Monday.
It's not over the weekend. It's a Monday game for
(07:35):
the Sounders here on October twenty eight. It will be
a six o'clock Providence, Swedish premat show kickoff coming right
around six twenty five. You can watch that MLS season
pass on Apple TV. You can listen in Spanish like
Bunch on l Ray thirteen sixty. But again we will
have that here in English radio Sports Radio nine fifty
(07:55):
km nine to fifty AM for Sounders and Dynamo game
one this coming Monday. Game two will then be on
the following Sunday, November three. That's gonna be down in
Houston with a three thirty Pacific time kick and then
if necessary, if it's one to one, and by the way,
it's a full penalty kick situation, so if it goes
(08:17):
tied and then we go to penalties winner if penalties
wins the game, so that's how that works. If game
three is necessary, that would be then on the next Sunday,
November tenth, at a four pm kickoff. Of course, station
assignments to come later on for those, but Game one
will be here at Luminfield this coming Monday, again six
(08:39):
o'clock pre match six to twenty five kickoff Sounders Dynamo
Game one. We'll preview that later tonight after the Timbers game,
after the Sounders got a one to one draw, obviously,
the locker room was not feeling very good. But had
the chance to go in there and talk to Alex Droldon,
Alex who of course started and played in that Portland match,
(08:59):
and his take on the game, Houston coming up, what
he saw from the officiating, and of course just kind
of the mood in the locker room. So here was
my conversation after the one to one draw with Alex
rolled on.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Yeah, we're frustrated. I think we played a good first half.
You know, we shut them down, they didn't really have
any chances, we got the goal we needed, and then
rolling into the second half just turned into a chaotic game. Again,
we had chances, we didn't put them away, and you
know that kind of puts pressure on our defense for
to stop a counter and unfortunately they were.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Able to score that. So a bit frustrated, but.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Nonetheless, you know, we got to keep our heads high
and focus on the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Now that chaotic nature they're in the second half. Obviously
they get that counter that one, but on the offensive minute,
how did you see that kind of chaok nature come out?
You know before going down a man I should mention,
you know, in not getting that second goal.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Yeah, I think I think before all that happened and
we had some clear, you know, one B one chances,
a couple that that we got Roston went to the
back post, and so some half chances. But I think,
you know, the main message I think that we're focusing
on is, you know, how do we close out games,
especially now rolling into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
We've done a good job here at.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Home of gaining the lead, but it's it's it sometimes
becomes a habit where we we kind of revert to
how do we protect this lead instead of, you know,
really put our foot on the gas and finish the game.
So I think that's the message moving up forward is
how can we truly put games away before we get
to the sixty minute mark?
Speaker 3 (10:29):
You know, So that's that's the message here.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I don't want to get in trouble here, but one
of the things we were talking about, me and Brad
Evans on the post game show was how it seemed
like you guys had a lot of chances to keep
going if fouls were cold, advantage was not played. Was
that frustrating for you having to, you know, be part
of that where it just feels like you guys have
a chance to counter and go forward and get a goal.
But the play stops.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I mean, yeah, certainly, there's there's always that that outside
factor that's gonna you know, the determined the flow of
the game. I won't say that it determined the result
of the game, but it determines the flow of the game.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
You know, we're really putting our foot on the gas.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Trying to trying to you know, ride tackles, and then
once we ride them and we get that second chance
to play on, you know, we're going to continue to
do that. We had a few chances to do that
to really counter them, you know, what could have been
a three.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
V one chance or two v one chance. So it's
certainly frustrating.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
We're not putting the blame on that, but it definitely
disrupts the flow. And uh, you know, for these derby
games especially, we need people who who can really control
the game. Just just because they're derby games, they become chaotic,
they become hectic, and so that's definitely a determined determining
factor of how the game is played out.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
And I imagine extra frustration and extra anger coming of
the fact that Cascadia Cup goes to them.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Yeah, certainly that's not something that we want to give up.
We had the chance to do it, We were in
control of the game. One slip up, one counter, and
you know it's it's an unfortunate result for us now.
But again, we got to keep our heads high. We
you know, we've we've crawled back from terrible position that
we were in in the front half of the season,
and so there's a lot of positive things we still
need to look at. And you know, we're trying to
roll into playoffs and with some confidence and you know,
(12:10):
try to overcome this and keep this rolling.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Houston Dynamo team that you guys faced here three weeks ago,
one one nothing, three weeks ago. What do you remember
about the Houston Dynamo and challenges for the first round?
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Yeah, I think you know, they're they're a really good
possession based team, really good attacking half.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
So our defense is gonna put up to a big challenge.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
But I think again, if we play a solid half
of both defense and offense, I think it's an it's
gonna really help us. If we can close out a
game by the sixty seventieth minute marks, it's where it's
going to become crucial for us, especially leading in the playoffs.
You know, it's always a it's always anyone's game. So
I think the emphasis is is how do we close
out games earlier?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
The weirdness of the first round where it's like a
three game series and then following rounds are one game.
I know steph Over there has been pretty vocal about
how much he doesn't like it. Well, how do you
feel about it?
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I think it's it's it's un orthodox for sure, playing
the same team potentially three times in the first round
and then go to single elimination makes no sense. But again,
those are the cards that we're dealt with, and so
we got to put up with it. We got to
face the same team and try to close it all
into and hopefully move forward.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Does an eye at all go to what a second
round would look like l EFC Portland Vancouver at all?
Does it? Do you even give an eye to what
that would look like? Or is it all both eyes
on Houston?
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think our focus is Houston. You know we overcome them.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
They're not an easy team and you know they're going
to be a big challenge, so I think our focus
needs to be primarily on them.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
It's good stuff there from Alex scholdon Good to Chat
with him there in the locker room after the one
to one draw. You could hear it in his voice.
He was frustrated. The entire team was frustrated that they
weren't able to hold on and get that win and
weren't able to put a second goal in the back
of the net when they had the chance. But listen,
losing Obed Vargas to the red card. That's frustrating as well.
(13:49):
And I want to ask our next guest, Ari Lungenwall,
if Obed is suspended for this first playoff game or
if he suspended the first game next season because it
was a regular season contest. It's an important question. I
want to get his take on this entire Western Conference
and how everything is shaping out. Lots of things to
go over here with Ari, our good friend from mlssoccer
(14:10):
dot com and the podcast Lobbing Scorches. Ari joins us
next here on Sounders Weekly on Sports Radio ninety three
point three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc CL's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Welcome back, Jackson felt Sounders Weekly. Good to have you
with us on this Wednesday night. We are just about
five days now from Sounders facing the Houston Dynamo game
one of the playoffs. We're going to preview that extensively
throughout the rest of the night. Ari Lillienwall, who's on
hold right now, and then Heesus Ossevedo Junior of the
(14:47):
Bayou City and down in Houston, will join us in
our next segment. Before Ari hops on, I'll let you
know that Sounders e FC Soccer is presented by Providence Swedish,
the official healthcare partner of Sounders FC. Ari Lillian Wall
host of the podcast Lobbing Scorches, which you can get
wherever you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app. He's
also a writer and editor for Mlsoccer dot Com. Ari,
(15:09):
welcome back to the show, my friend. How are you.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
I'm great, Jackson, looking forward to the playoffs. Love this
time of year.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Yeah, we're just about what about twenty minutes away from
Portland versus Vancouver in a location that White Cap fans
are not very happy about.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I'd see if we can.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Carve out a minute to ask you about that game
kicking off in twenty minutes. In just a few before
we go there, though, we got to start with Sounders
Portland and just the entire decision day for Seattle. I
want to ask you about the officiating. I want to
ask you a couple of specific questions, like if Obed
Vargas is going to be out or if it translates
(15:49):
then to the first game in next season. But before
we get to any of that, let me just ask
you kind of the basic blunt question. Considering what happened
in the Galaxy Houston game and considering Cascadia Cup goes
to Parland, and considering how the game went to not
get the win, could Decision Day have gone any worse
for the Seattle Sounders.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
I mean, it could have gone worse if they lost
the game, you know, I think that would have been
worse than still getting the point out of the draw.
But I mean it was definitely a frustrating results, not
just because of the red card that you mentioned, but
because I thought the performance in the game from the
team was actually quite good to very good for a
(16:33):
lot of it, and a really bad concession and a
controversial red card meant that they kind of shot themselves
in the foot and didn't didn't get a chance to
get the three points out of it, but definitely, I
don't know if it was the worst decision day that
any team had, but it was a frustrating one. Let's talk.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Oh, bet Vargas gets the double yellow. You know our
friend Jeremiah sham sounder a hard He was the kind
of the pool reporter who asked for the clarification, and
you know, the referee basically just said it was a
display of frustration in the direction of the referee, and
it's sort of like, all right, well, in the direction
of like come towards I think was the exact word,
(17:16):
like come on here. There's there's a part of me
that wants to ask about the officiating overall. Maybe I'll
do it in a second. First point of clarification, obed
Vargas's red card does that apply to this first round,
first playoff game or does it apply to the first
game of next season.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Yeah, so, as I understand it, it goes into the playoffs,
So he'll have to serve his red card suspension for
this first playoff game. So they're not gonna have him.
Her game won against Houston.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, it's a good time that Joel Paulo is healthy.
Then he's off the injury report. Because JP is going
to be needed next to Christian for sure, and hopefully
Josh Atensio becomes kind of that depth piece in the
holding midfield and he comes back from his head injury.
But frustrating there, But thanks for the clarification. Let's talk
about the officiating overall, because on top of that, just
(18:04):
frustrating language that you know, the referee used after the
game in terms of that second yellow. In terms of
I think the thing that bothered me and Brad Evans
the most on the postgame show was the fact that
every single time it seemed like the Sounders had a
chance to play advantage and keep a play going and
have a chance to be on a break and be
you know, whether it's a you know, four on two
(18:24):
or three on one, whatever, it just felt like the
referee kept stopping play in the wrong times and it
feels like it happened three or four times. Was that
something that you noticed as well, and how poor was
the officiating over the course of the ninety minutes in
your eyes?
Speaker 5 (18:40):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's where all the frustration,
or at least a lot of the frustration from the
Seattle side started, was the sequences that you mentioned where
the rep wasn't letting them play advantage. You rarely see
Brian Schmetzer get super animated on the sideline like he
was getting during those sequences and the red car. The
second yellow and Obed happened right after the Portland goal,
(19:03):
so I think that also heightened tensions and frustrations, and
it kind of boiled over after that, But it was
I did think it was bizarre how he wasn't letting
Seattle play advantage the second time that happened. In particular,
it looked like Seattle would have had a pretty dangerous
sequence in the aftermath if you had just played advantage
(19:23):
like you should have, So that was weird. I mean,
as for the second yellow on Obed, I it's a
subjective call. I don't like that call there, like the
yellow for descent. It's an emotional game. It's a Darby game.
Emotions run high, and I didn't think open unless he
said something crazier out of pocket, which it did not
(19:44):
look like he did, then I think that's one where
you kind of you have to let players show motion
on the field. So I thought that was a tough call.
And another thing I didn't like about it is that
it seemed like it seemed like he didn't realize that
Obed was already on a yellow and wouldn't have shown
it to him if he had like processed in the
(20:04):
moment that he was going to get sent off. But
that should not be the criteria for why you give
a yellow or not, you know, So I do think
I do think the officiating was interesting in this game
to stay the least. But that being said, I mean,
if Seattle is able to convert the one of the
myriad of chances they had to get a second goal
(20:25):
on top of that first goal, then they put themselves
in a great position to probably win that game. So
I think you do have to acknowledge that as well.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
Aria Lunel was our guest. He hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorchers.
He's a writer and editor for MLS Soccer dot Com.
I hadn't thought about that point of the referee didn't
realize he was already on a yellow. That's a nice
little perception point right there that I think, you know,
if they if the referee truly didn't know, then you know,
that's a big, big screw up right there, and it's
(20:56):
it's a shame because It's a referee who had never
even been part of this dark and when you're the
head referee for a big, emotional, you know, rivalry game
like this, you got to know these things and you
got to understand the tensions are high. So he in
my book, I understand how you got to dance around it.
In my book, it was an abject failure and he
was an absolute embarrassment to pro there for Saturday's decision
(21:20):
day match Sounders Portland. You know what, before we talk
about the rest of MLS and go over decision day
across the league, which was a wild decision day, let's first,
because we're on the subject of Portland, talk about what's
happening here. In just about fifteen minutes, you got Timbers
white Caps kicking off at Providence Park and I can
see the photos and obviously Providence Park is decked out
(21:41):
with you know, thousands and thousands, twenty thousand plus Timber fans.
Although the Portland Timbers are the nine seed, they are
supposed to be playing at the eight seed Vancouver white Caps,
but Vancouver can't have the game at BC Place because
of a motocross event. As I stand and am I
also understanding right that the MLS deemed that there was
(22:04):
no other suitable location in the area at all, and
this game tonight has to be played at the lower seed.
They couldn't have found any better location than to have
the lower seed hosting this damn game.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Yeah, I think you have that right, Jackson, Which is
a very unfortunate turn of events for the Vancouver whitects,
to say the least, and it actually undermined a lot
of the drama that was supposed to happen in decision
day with that matchup I think was supposed to be
for who had hosting rights for that wildcard game, and
then they found out beforehand that Portland gets the hosting
(22:39):
rights either way because of a motocross event. So, you know,
anytime I see something like a motocross event taking over
a team's home field and them not being able to
host a playoff game there, I think it's a reminder
that we as a league with MLS, have a fair
amount of a way to go in terms of getting
to where we want to go, and you know, we
(23:02):
aren't get offered reminders of that at times. But as
far as how it affects this situation, I mean that
is that is bad for the Vancouver white Caps. I mean,
home field advantage in the playoffs is huge and they
have a pretty good one, especially for big games at
BC plays. So to have to change that to traveling
to go into one of the hardest environments to play
(23:23):
in in the league, in Portland, I mean that is
a pretty tough break to start your playoff campaign.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I mean, God, if you're Vancouver, I would have just said,
is there any way we can play it at lumin
because at least then we're making some Portland fans travel.
We know, we'll have a few thousand coming down from Vancouver,
and you'd get a few thousand Sounder fans and they're
just a boo the Timbers, like or was there an
auto show happening at lumen Field ha ha ha. Then
they couldn't just I.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Don't know if it makes sense to have a neutral
site game in the playoffs when everyone else that has
to contend with home field advantage in that type of
I don't know. There might be a competitive balance.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Argument, frustrating for Vancouver and frustrating that Porlan gets the
upper hand for the match kicking off in just a
few minutes. That can be seen on MLS Season Pass
on Apple TV. Fans can also watch all of Sounders
and Houston Dynamo there. And this really does begin our
Sharp Vision opponent a look taking a look ahead at
(24:20):
Sounders versus Houston in the first round of the playoffs.
I'll mention that tonight's opponent alk is presented by Sharp Vision,
Modern LESAC and Lens, the official Lasik provider of Sounders FC.
Last week, Ari, you and I ranked of the three
teams Sounders could face, Colorado, Houston, and Minnesota. I think
we both had Houston as the third team we'd want
(24:40):
to face. I know for you said Colorado and then Minnesota,
and I had Minnesota then Colorado. But it ends up
being the Dynamo. And that's a team that the Sounders face.
What three and a half weeks ago at Luminfield beat
one nothing, but that was without Hector Herrera, right, So
this is a good Houston team. There is a reason
why we didn't want to face the Dynamo right here.
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Yeah, No, they're not a bad team at all. I
think they're a pretty similar team to Seattle. Honestly, I
rate them in similar ways, not just because they finish
close to each other. On the table. But I feel
like they're like the way they play, their game models
and the way their rosters are set up are kind
of similar if you really, if you really look at it,
(25:23):
like they're both very technically skilled and defensively sound teams
that maybe don't have the firepower and attack that some
of the upper upper tier teams and MLS have. I
think you could say that both of those teams have
that quality, but they have some very good individual players,
like you mentioned Hector Herrera. He's one of the best
(25:44):
two way midfielders in the league for sure. And this
new DP that they have is Zekiel Ponce seems like
he's been started scoring some goals for them, so that's
given them a little bit of a boost and attack.
But I think what you have here is a team that,
like I said, is very defensively sound, pretty good at
can they have a very good midfield, they're good at
(26:04):
controlling the tempo of the games, and they're good in possession,
much like Seattle is. So I think it's definitely a
clash of kind of similar game models and skill sets
and who does it better. And you know, I do
think Seattle is slightly favored in this scenario because the
way I kind of look at it is like Seattle
is a very slightly better version of what Houston is
(26:26):
right now, and so in a scenario where they have
home field advantage, I think they are a slight favorite
with this really being a toss up series, two teams
that I think are very similar in quality and play style.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
We're gonna talk more about Houston with our next guest,
Hasius Osceveto Junior coming up in the next segment here
in Soner's Weekly. While we're talking Houston, I gotta get
your Rea, and I know you were watching every single
one of the games on Decision Day. You probably had
all these different browsers with different games. Must have been
fun there, And I'm wondering as La Galaxy versus Houston
(26:59):
that game Decision Day was, I think the latest game
being played. It went one hundred and what three hundred
and four minutes with the two goals in the ninety
sixth minute and the one hundred and second minute to
effectively bounce LA Galaxy from the one seed and give
Houston the five seed and make Seattle have to go
through LAFC. All of these you know, dimmer ramification, what
(27:21):
was your reaction to that final ten minutes or so
of that game between the Galaxy and Dynamo.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
I mean, I think it just shows that the LA Galaxy,
for as improved as they've been this season, you can't
really change who you are at your core, you know,
so watching them choke choke the number one seed in
the final moment of the season, you know, it felt
like it felt right, felt like the La Galaxy we've
come to know and love over the last five or
(27:49):
so years since their run of dominance ended. But you know,
I think it's unfortunate because lafc at the one seed,
I don't think is when anyone necessarily wanted to see,
and the Galaxy were in the driver's seat for that
for this whole stretch run of the season and then
blew it at the last second. But honestly, I mean,
it was a very exciting ending to that game with Houston,
(28:12):
like you said, but I can't say I was surprised
to see the fate that befell the LA Galaxy because
that is kind of what they do. That's what they've
been doing the last few years. So it made sense.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
We were so close to having Sounders versus Minnesota and
then Seattle having to go through the Galaxy to get
to a West final, and then it completely flipped with
Daniel Starez's header there in the one hundred and second
minutes and all of our hearts sank. We'll only have
a couple more minutes here, so let me switch quickly
to the Eastern Conference. MESSI hat trick on decision Day.
(28:46):
I know your vote for a couple of weeks, as
we've talked, has been kuco Hernandez of Columbus being the
guy for MVP. Does And this is the last time
I asked this. I promise you this is the last
time I'll ask you. Does a hat on decision Day
officially swing your official vote to MESSI?
Speaker 5 (29:05):
Yeah. So I'm glad you asked this because we were
talking through my end of season award ballot on our
podcast on the last show, and as I was talking
talking my way through it who I was voting for
for MVP on our podcast, I came to the conclusion
that it really does not can't. I can't rationally make
sense of a vote for anyone else other than Messy's.
(29:28):
And I came to that conclusion before Decision Day, and
I literally I decided that that's who's getting my vote.
I think a guy with thirty two goal contributions in
whatever it was, fourteen hundred minutes is there's really no
reasonable argument for anyone else, even taking into account the
(29:49):
fact that he hasn't played as much as the other
candidates this year. And I feel good about it. I
think it's the correct vote. I think it's the vote
that everyone knows is the right vote if they're if
they're judging it on the merits. So yeah, I officially
made my decision on that, and Messi is getting my
MVP vote. And a fair amount of people disagree with
(30:10):
me on that, but like I said, I feel good
and convicted in it.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Yeah, no, and I agree with you. I think it's
Messi too. That's where my votes go. And and I
just would question the you know, listen, are we saying
that Messi doesn't get MVP because he didn't play the
thousand minutes? Or are we saying it? You know, I
don't don't understand what the reasoning is of why he
isn't getting MVP. He has the best numbers in the
entire league, and he's played a thousand less minutes than
(30:34):
everybody else if not more than a thousand less minutes.
So I don't understand it, but I'm with you. It's
for sure, MESSI. Now, let's set the percentages here.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
You know.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
I was on Saturday or Sunday Sports Live, I think
it was Fox thirteen on Sunday night, and Aaron Levine
asked me for the percentage chance of the Sounders make
an MLS Cup and I said it at about fifteen percent.
My numbers are like thirty five percent chance laf see
twenty five Galaxy, maybe like twenty RSL fifteen Seattle, and
(31:05):
then five to the rest. Do those percentages sound about
right to you? And then I want to ask it
for the rest of it involving Miami too, but just
for the Western Conference, as I kind of run down
the seating there and give an extra five to LAFC.
Do you see those percentages kind of shaping out to
be correct?
Speaker 5 (31:25):
I think that sounds about right. When I look at
this team's chances at making a MLS Cup run, I
think there are a couple things working in their favor.
Like they do have an elite defense which can take
you pretty far come playoff time, and they do have
players who are very experienced and proven in these moments,
and that can always benefit you come playoff time. But
(31:48):
when I just look at the pass I mean, I
think you're gonna have to go through a team that
just has realistically quite a bit more firepower than Seattle
has right now. Like when I look at both of
the teams LAFC and the Galaxy, playing either one of
those teams in a playoffs game is going to be
a tall order when you just look at what those
(32:10):
teams have in attack compared to what Seattle has had
this season. I just I would probably have to pick
the team that has Ricky Pooge and Joseph Painzill or
Denny Bowanga and the toos Bogus and the djrew in
an individual game in that scenario. So I mean, yeah,
I think the way you size it up is about
how I would have it.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
So let's throw it to MLS Cup overall, as the
playoffs began here and we know Miami's healthy, set the
over under, what is the percentage chance Miami walks away
with both the Shield and MLS Cup.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
I have that percentage as incredibly high, Like I really
see that as like a seventy five to eighty percentile outcome.
I mean, like I just I just think with them,
I mean, assuming full health. Yeah, having watched a lot
of their games this year and seeing what their ceiling
is when S and the Barst Boys are playing, I
think they are the best MS team I've ever seen.
(33:04):
They're about as close to unstoppable when they're on their
game as any like pro soccer team that I've ever watched.
So and I don't think any of the sort of
praise they're getting for how well they've played and setting
all these records is hyperbolic at all. I think it's
the best MLS team I've ever seen. And when they
(33:24):
get rolling, like I don't really I don't really see
anyone who stops them, even Columbus. I don't think Columbus
will stop them in the playoffs this year either.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
I'm with you. I think we both have the same
MLS pick, and that's Lionel Messi, you know, being MVP
and taking home the Shield and taking home the MLS Cup.
We're in the same boat there. I wouldn't go as
high as seventy five eighty. That's so, that's it. But
you're the expert here. That's why we turn to you
for for all these smart comments. Ari have a great podcast.
We'll all be listening to Lobbings Scorchers. Ihead a Sounders
(33:54):
Houston game one next Monday. Have a good weekend and
we'll talk to you next week. But had a game two.
Speaker 5 (34:00):
Thanks Jackson, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
It's good stuff there from ARILLLIONALLMLS Soccer dot com and
his podcast Lobbing Scorchers. Seventy five eighty percent. I don't
think that number is maybe wrong, but boy, that sure
is high. A quick note before we take a break,
and that's that. Twenty twenty five Sounders season memberships are
on sale. Now join the Sounders FC Legacy and secure
(34:22):
your spot with the best fans in MLS.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Now.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Becoming a member is the best way to gain access
to the club World Cup where working closely with FIFA
to get our season members access to tickets including three
Sounders matches. Members also have the access to MLS season
pass ticket flexibility, our new training facility and clubhouse, plus more.
Learn more at soundersfc dot com. Backslash tickets, backslash memberships.
(34:46):
All right, let's talk Houston Dynamo. Let's get the scoop
on that entire team. Our good friend, heyesus Ossevedo Junior,
who covers the Dynamo for the Bayoucitian down there in Houston.
He'll join us next year in Sounders Weekly on Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc clvil's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Welcome back Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feldt is good to be
with you right here. Sports Radio ninety three point three
kjr FM. Sounders Weekly Every Wednesday. We thank our guests
so far tonight Alex Rolledon and Ari Lillianwall. Check out
the podcast Sounders Weekly wherever you get your podcasts, including
the iHeartRadio app. Right after tonight's show ends, and we're
(35:32):
going to continue previewing Round one. Game one Sounders in
the playoffs is the four seed they're facing the five
seed Houston Dynamo. I think I said earlier tonight that
for Pacific time it was a six o'clock pregium. It's
actually gonna be a five thirty Providence Swedish pregame five
thirty pm next Monday, kickoff right around six pm. It'll
(35:54):
be over on Sports Radio nine to fifty KJR AM
for Sounders and Dynamo folks. You can all so listen
in Spanish like on l RA thirteen sixty and watch
the match on MS Season Pass on Apple TV. Somebody
who we used to have on every single time the
Sounders played the Dynamo, and we're playing them obviously up
to three times here in this first round, so I
(36:15):
need to make sure he got on Sounders weekly this week.
It has been a long time between now and when
we last spoke with Hey, sus Osceveto Junior, who writes
and covers the Dynamo for the Bayoucitian down in Houston. Hey, Suss,
it has been too long, my friend. How are you?
Speaker 6 (36:35):
It has been to long Jackson. While I know that
we communicated via Twitter.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
You know, I hadn't heard your voice.
Speaker 6 (36:42):
So it's good to be like, oh that's a Jackson towns.
Speaker 5 (36:47):
So yeah, good good.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
You're better off not hearing my voice for a long time,
but it's good to hear yours, my friend. Listen, Hey,
before anything else, we're gonna talk about the Dynamo and
talk about your team down there. In a moment, I'll
be coming down to Houston next week. I'm sure a
lot of Sounders fans will be flying down to Houston
next week. Send some recommendations. If we're down there is
the barbecue and what kind of cuisine do we need
(37:12):
to search out when we're down in Houston. If we
have one night, which will be for me Saturday night,
I guess breakfast to on Sunday morning. If I have
a couple of meals down there, where do I need
to go in Houston? What type of food do I
need to eat?
Speaker 7 (37:25):
Well?
Speaker 6 (37:26):
Shell Stadium is situated right in downtown Houston, so you're
ryan the center of it all, you know. And one
thing about Houston, I'll tell you can get any kind
of food around the world in Houston. You know, you
just got to go find it. But what Houston is
known for, just like you mentioned, barbecue is one of
those things. We have so many barbecues given our our
are like, drive through barbecue is really top notch.
Speaker 7 (37:48):
But that's just how can we you know, Papa's Barbecue
shout out. That was my first job. I was a
buzz boy. Uh But yeah, so that's an easy, very
drive through Papas Barbecue. Never this appalling Mexican text lenk not.
So we love here in Houston.
Speaker 6 (38:01):
You know, we have aniphus on navigation, the colors, the
mother of fajitas.
Speaker 7 (38:07):
This restaurant has been here so long. Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:09):
This old lady, Oh I leave this eagle. Uh person
ing Uh. You known Infa she created the whole Pahita play.
Speaker 7 (38:17):
So that's really down the street from from Shall Stadium.
You're not too far.
Speaker 6 (38:21):
So Saturday night, like if you're standing in downtown, that's
maybe five.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
Minutes from Shall Stadium, you know. Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:27):
And then Sunday morning, you gotta get you some breakfast tacles.
You know, right downtown there's brother Stackles. Is this join
where the line forms early in the morning. It's kind
of like the Bashal acting describe. Its kind of like
a subway where you go and then you're like, give
me a talk on that, Give me a talk.
Speaker 5 (38:41):
On that, give talk for that.
Speaker 7 (38:43):
You know, you you pick and choose, but.
Speaker 6 (38:45):
I'm gonna I'm gonna give one shout out to this
place that I go.
Speaker 7 (38:49):
It's it's a mom and pop place.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
And you know, now this is a little bit more
down the road, maybe maybe ten twelve minutes down the road.
Speaker 5 (38:57):
But this place is so authentic.
Speaker 6 (38:59):
This restaurant doubles at the bus stops for tricks to Mexico. Right,
that is Jackson authentic and you can love it.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
Tacos a manchi?
Speaker 5 (39:15):
Is that what you said?
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Moncheese, mon cheese? And all right, so brothers, so brothers,
tacos for the morning and Monchi's for the I love that.
That's fantastic. Great recommendations. Will be sure to hit that well. Uh,
you know, Hazus Osvedo Junior is our guest once again.
He covers the Houston Dynamo for the Bayou City and
down there in Houston, and man, it's been a while,
(39:39):
so let's talk about these Dynamo. Obviously, we just saw
him a few weeks ago here in Seattle and one
nothing win for the Sounders. But as you injured the
playoffs as the five seed coming off of a decision
to win over the Galaxy, what is the story of
the Houston Dynamo season, haesus, the.
Speaker 6 (39:57):
Story of the East This season, much like last season,
you know when the middle runs to the Western.
Speaker 7 (40:02):
Conference Finals, was a slow start.
Speaker 5 (40:04):
You know.
Speaker 7 (40:04):
Uh, this year's slow star was due to injuries.
Speaker 5 (40:07):
You know.
Speaker 6 (40:08):
Achiach was her uh and then a couple of people.
Speaker 7 (40:11):
Had these you know naeive injuries and then you know,
you know, getting the team and so they were not winning,
but they weren't losing, right.
Speaker 6 (40:18):
It was like a lot of draws, a lot of
one zero wins once their lass you know, zero silver draws.
Speaker 7 (40:23):
So they were just kind of getting together.
Speaker 6 (40:24):
They finally picked it up around summer when when some
of those injured players aren't coming back, mainly Achai is
at any surprise that went hector.
Speaker 7 (40:32):
Ed, I is playing the Dynamon doue better.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
So once they started playing more games, started more consistent.
Speaker 7 (40:38):
Uh, he just started picking the wins.
Speaker 6 (40:40):
You know, and and that has led up to the
search even with Achiata picking up an injury here in
the in the last month of the season, Houston starting
of talent, especially with that record signing of Konse Uh
there you know need no number ten striker, which signos
soph Barne.
Speaker 7 (40:56):
As happy with his performance yet, but you know he
did under in the middle of the season.
Speaker 6 (41:01):
You know, I'm sure Seattle Sanders fans nobody likes to
have a you know, deep coming.
Speaker 7 (41:04):
In the middle of the season and try and get
up to you know, emless speed but but yeah, this
is a team that they're very talented. You know, uh,
they're gonna love to possess the ball. You know, they're
up there, which your Columbus screw as far as like
we want the ball. The issue is they sometimes don't
know what to do when they have to fall to
get the ball to the back of the name Jackson.
(41:26):
You know, I don't think I have to to to
you know, remind you. But Seattle score the second few
is goals this season with fifty one. Only Houston scored
more than that forty seven goals. So both of these
two teams and it is scored a lot of goals.
So we can see some two thier games one one game.
So but yeah, but I know that's a long win.
The answer to your question of what the dynamo this season, no, I.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Think it's a it's a good answer to the story
of it because you know, like you mentioned, you know,
getting a DP up to speed. We have this guy
Pedro dalea Vega who's you know, been here since the
start of the year, and because of injuries and whatnot,
he's still getting up to speed. So so I hear
you out on that front. But we're just hoping your
guy doesn't get up to full speed just in time
for this playoff round. Now in the game up here
(42:08):
in Seattle, just what three and a half weeks ago
where the Sounders one one nothing Houston was without Hector
Herrera having him back for at least the first and
maybe all three games here in the first round of
the playoffs. Uh what will he mean to your team?
How much of a difference maker is Hector Herrera?
Speaker 5 (42:28):
I don't know if I will.
Speaker 6 (42:28):
Put the label a playmaker on him, you know, but
more so than like.
Speaker 7 (42:32):
Like the TikTok.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
You know, he's like moving the ball left to right,
keeping the keeping the dynamo within possessions.
Speaker 7 (42:38):
He's finding spaces.
Speaker 6 (42:40):
And then those spaces that key vacate in the midfield
dollars get field up. You know, you'll Coco slipmore in
size sometimes and have Dorsey spring up the right wing.
Speaker 5 (42:51):
Uh. So, not a playmaker so much.
Speaker 7 (42:53):
Maybe a tempo setter. Perhaps it's a you know, better
word for them, but no, and.
Speaker 6 (42:59):
It makes a big differ and you know they're they're
able to Well, he's not a playmaker, he.
Speaker 7 (43:03):
Still helps create the chances that may come. They may
not put them in the back of the neck, right,
So they're gonna get those.
Speaker 5 (43:09):
Chances and you know, go into the game.
Speaker 7 (43:11):
You know that was the one zero win by Seattle.
Speaker 6 (43:13):
Houston had the opportunity, not as much as they had
when Tector Rata is on the on the.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Field, Haysius, let's wrap it up with this, finish this sentence.
The Houston Dynamo will win Game one in Seattle if
they do.
Speaker 6 (43:27):
If they go into the half, we're not having completed.
Speaker 2 (43:31):
A go wow, that I mean, that's that's quite I mean,
because this game could easily then get to zero zero
at half. But you think you're so confident in the
Dynamo that if it's zero zero at half, you think
that Houston can come away with the win.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
I think they can.
Speaker 6 (43:46):
Maybe sneak away like a one zero win, like maybe
they strike early, you know, and then they can not
not bunk a right. But again, they didn't not to
set the ball, so by possession of the ball, and
that's gonna have to come.
Speaker 7 (43:55):
Hey, w you score. We can't lose at home in
front of all these fans. Now that they creates counter
attack opportunities for Houston.
Speaker 5 (44:02):
So but I think it could be if it's Heresday
has the Concio goal.
Speaker 7 (44:07):
Houston could win the game one, one zero.
Speaker 6 (44:09):
But you know, Shatto always has the late playoff magic moments.
Speaker 7 (44:13):
I'm sure I don't have to tut.
Speaker 2 (44:15):
That's exactly right. We come up with the you know,
ever since you know, the playoff run Nelson Valdez in
twenty sixteen, and obviously we faced you guys in twenty
seventeen and got past Houston. I believe Will Bruins scored
in that series. That was a great series for us
up here. But we'll see if we can rite another
great playoff chapter between our teams here in these next
(44:36):
you know, hopefully two games, but we'll see if it
goes three. Overall, I'll see you down in Houston in
about a week and a half. Hey, suss enjoyed the
game coming up next Monday. Thanks so much for joining us.
Speaker 7 (44:47):
Man sounds good, Jackson.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
I was definitely here here.
Speaker 6 (44:50):
Let's let's let's enjoy some Monday night football.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
Yes we will. Hey, sus Oscevedo junior rights and covers
the Houston Dynamo for the Bayou City and always love
talk to haesus. Way back when before we had weekly
Apple TV broadcaster interviews, going back to the days where
we used to bounce around the nation. I love having
Hayesus on and good to chat with him there ahead
of Game one, which will again be next Monday night,
(45:16):
five thirty Providence, Swedish Premade Show six o'clock kickoff, nine
to fifty KJR AM. We'll have the game, you know,
so listen in Spanish language on l Ray thirteen sixty
and of course watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Some great recommendations there from Aesus. I'll make sure to
hit those up there when we head to Houston in
a week and a half. Brothers, Tacos, tacos in the morning,
(45:39):
breakfast tacos sounds really damn good. Tacos sounds good right now.
I'm about to get off the air, go home'd be
great to have some drive through barbecue two here. All
of that sounds good for Houston when we travel in
a week. But before that, let's go get a Sounders
win in game one. We'll talk to you next Monday
five thirty on nine to fifty AM for Sounders and
Dynamo
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