Elite depth, tactical flexibility fuel Sounders to back-to-back wins away from home

The Seattle Sounders’ talent is undeniable this season after back-to-back road victories against Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy.

With the latest 2-1 win over the Galaxy secured, the Sounders now sit second in the Western Conference with 13 points from just six matches.

“Sounders fans should be happy, because we've got a really freaking good team,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.

The depth of the Rave Green has proven to be an asset in each game, through the impactful substitutes that enter the match and the various starting lineups at Coach Schmetzer’s disposal.

“I am going to reward the players that do well,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “I'm going to try and manage the group as best I can.”

Winger Léo Chú has become a prime example of that. He followed up his stellar four-assist performance last game against SKC with another fantastic display against the Galaxy, tallying a goal and an assist for the Rave Green.

The Sounders as a whole have built the chemistry needed to come out and consistently perform at a high-level — no matter who is on the pitch.

“That team is committed…They're committed to themselves,” said Schmetzer after Saturday’s road match. “That's why I'm so fired up…That's a great group of players in there.”

Though the starting lineup is determined through a player’s recent performance within the team, the decision remains difficult with the amount of effective contributors on the 2023 roster.

Forward Jordan Morris said he’s seen a massive difference in the team compared to last year.

“I was talking to the staff in the locker room, and I think that’s maybe a game we would have tied or even lost last year,” he said regarding Saturday’s win against LA. “And so, to see the progression of the group in terms of working hard and grinding out a result in the end, we'll look back at the end of the season, they won’t, you know, it's three points.”

Each player on the bench and on the pitch serve a different purpose on the team, allowing the Sounders to be the successful club that they are.

“Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to start, but that team in that locker room is together as a collective,” said Schmetzer. “This team has enough talent and the right mentality to go a long way in this league.”

Seattle will look to build on this result against the Galaxy when they square off against red-hot expansion side St. Louis CITY SC (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch free on Apple TV | TICKETS) at Lumen Field on Saturday.