The final positioning in the Western Conference standings on Saturday might not have changed, but the objective for the Seattle Sounders did not either. The Sounders traveled to the East Coast for a Decision Day contest against New York City FC at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., in what was the only interconference clash on the MLS slate. Seattle eked out a 2-1 away win and finished the regular season fifth in the West, a spot they had already wrapped up heading into the weekend.
“We knew we were going to stay in fifth no matter what the result was, but we knew it was one of those games where you can only do harm to yourselves if you don’t play up to your standards and have a bad result going into the playoffs,” said Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák. “It had to be a professional performance from us.”
The Sounders looked initially to be taking all three points after a 61st-minute goal from Jordan Morris gave them the lead, but Nicolás Fernández answered for the hosts in the 82nd minute. Rather than accept the result, Seattle dug deep and exited with the victory behind an 87th-minute headed goal from center back Jackson Ragen.
“The main reason why we were able to win this game was because in the DNA of the Seattle Sounders is overcoming adversity, figuring out ways to win games, figuring out ways to be better than your opponent,” said Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “That was a classic, gutty performance.
“It’s another calling card of our team to never quit,” he continued. “A lot of teams would have been happy, satisfied with the draw. That’s not the way we operate. That’s not who we are.”
Seattle experienced a brief blip in form following their Leagues Cup title in late August, but since then the club is unbeaten in four including three straight wins to end the regular-season campaign.
“We’re working on our tactics and playing the way we want to play and building momentum so we’re feeling good going into the playoffs,” said Ragen.
The Sounders must wait until the end of the rest of the Western Conference matches later on Saturday evening to find out their opponent for their Best-of-Three First Round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Wild Card matches will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22, before the Round One series begin on Friday, Oct. 24.
Regardless of who the Sounders play — it will be one of San Diego FC, LAFC or Minnesota United — the determination and focus to bring home their third MLS Cup trophy remains consistent.
“Nobody wants to play us in the playoffs,” said Schmetzer.
