There’s a lot happening right now, Sounders fam. Let’s try to put all of this together in one place.
TEAM SUCCESS
1. 3-0-0 in July
The Sounders have a chance to win four matches in a single month for the fourth time since 2009. Only three times have the Sounders won every match in a month’s span (1-0-0 in March 2009; 2-0-0 in May 2014; 3-0-0 in October 2009). July 2017 could be pretty special.
2. 3+ goals in 3 straight games
It’s the first time in club history this has happened in regular-season action. Here are the most recent highlights against San Jose on July 23:
3. Biggest Comeback in MLS History
It took 4,916 games, but the Sounders became the first team in MLS history to overcome a three-goal deficit and win. Against D.C. United on July 19, the Sounders were losing 3-0 in the 50th minute. Within 27 minutes, it was 4-3. The Sounders are also the first team in league history to overcome two three-goal deficits in a single season (trailed 0-3 to New England in April, tied 3-3).
Agreed, Clint. It's definitely worthy of an applause.
4. Second-Half Explosion
After opening the month with two first-half goals, eight straight have come in the second half.
5. Unbeaten in 5
Dipping back into the month of June, the Sounders are unbeaten in five straight matches. The Rave Green played to 1-1 draws against Orlando City and Portland, with both contests featuring equalizers in second-half stoppage time (once for us, once for the bad guys)... Quick refresher on the good one:
6. Over .500
For the first time since Decision Day 2015, the Sounders have a record above .500 (8-7-6). Things still worked out pretty well at the end of last season, though.
7. Fastest 3 Goals in Run of Play
The club record for the shortest margin to score three goals in MLS regular-season play came in April 2014 against Colorado, when Seattle scored in first-half stoppage time and then twice in the first seven minutes of the second half. In continuous play, though, the Sounders set a record with three goals in 11 minutes against San Jose on July 23. (Note: The Sounders scored three goals in eight minutes against FC Dallas in the first leg of the 2016 Western Conference semifinals).
Recap of the past 11 minutes of #SEAvSJ: pic.twitter.com/cvvnFKZ66l
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) July 24, 2017
8. Squad Rolls Deep
Between national team call-ups, injuries and suspensions, Seattle has been without Clint Dempsey, Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Ozzie Alonso and Stefan Frei for at least one match this month.
RIDICULOUS ROLDAN
9. 3 Goals in 2 matches
The third-year midfielder has three goals in the past two matches. Before this, he had three goals in his previous 28 regular-season matches.
10. 2 Goals + 2 Minutes = 1 Sounder
Against San Jose, he became the first player in club history to score two goals in two minutes in an MLS match. Fredy Montero and Lodeiro each did it in a three-minute span.
11. CAP-TIED!
How did Roldan get this ridiculous form? Perhaps he picked up a thing or two with the U.S. national team. He earned his first international appearance in a Gold Cup group stage match against Martinique on July 12.
MORE GOLD CUP MAGIC
12. Caps, Caps and More Caps
In addition to Roldan’s first international appearance, four Sounders earned significant minutes during the tournament: Jordy Delem (Martinique) and Oniel Fisher (Jamaica), plus Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris (United States).
13. Deuce Almighty
Clint Dempsey scored once in the tournament, a beautiful free kick against Costa Rica in the semifinals, which ties him with Landon Donovan for the U.S. men’s national team’s goalscoring record with 57. In the Gold Cup Final, he registered the game-winning assist when he laid the ball off for…
14. JORRRRDDDYYYY
Morris knocked in a goal in the 88th minute of the championship match on Wednesday, giving him three goals in the tournament, which tied for the Golden Boot. The emotional forward celebrated the victory with Roldan after the match.
NEW GUY ON THE BLOCK
15. Kelvin Leerdam is a Baller
The Dutch fullback made his debut in the second half against D.C. United before playing a full 90 minutes versus San Jose. The result? He has one goal and an assist, and the team has outscored opponents 6-0 with him on the field.
TEAM LEADERS
16. Goals A-Bruin
After netting two goals this month, forward Will Bruin is tied for the team with seven goals alongside Dempsey.
17. Jones Making Moves
Defender Joevin Jones is one shy of the league lead with nine assists this season. It’s the highest assist total for a listed defender in MLS since Brian Mullan in 2003, although there have been moments this season where Jones has been pushed up to the wing.
A BURST OF FIRSTS
18. Svensson Opens Account
Midfielder Gustav Svensson, who leads the club with 21 appearances this season, scored his first MLS goal. The equalizer against D.C. United was nominated for AT&T Goal of the Week.
19. Nouhou Gets an Assist
The rookie from Cameroon has appeared in each of the club’s past four matches and has quickly become a fan favorite. He recorded his first MLS assist on July 19.
20. Oh Yeah, so did Stefan Frei
It’s easy to forget that our favorite Swiss goalkeeper was credited with an assist against Colorado a few weeks ago. HE CAN DO IT ALL.
We're partnering up with @MLS and @SNHU to raise funds for @the_USO!
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 5, 2017
Every RT of @clint_dempsey's goal = $1 from @SNHU! #SNHUGoalspic.twitter.com/WwPpsSM0FU
YOUTH MOVEMENT
21. U-16s & U-18s Shine
Sounders FC U-16s and U-18s reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy tournament for the first time in the same season. The U-18s earned third place in the tournament, while the U-16s were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
22. Gonzalez the Great
Sixteen-year-old Azriel Gonzalez became the youngest player in club history to sign a professional contract. He has made seven appearances for S2 this season.
23. Rogers That
Eighteen-year-old center back Sam Rogers has had a memorable 2017. In addition to earning a professional contract with S2 and captaining the U-18s, Rogers was named one of the top five teenagers in USL this month.
MORE TO COME
24. A Familiar Face
On Thursday, the LA Galaxy announced Sigi Schmid as Head Coach, just two days before the Galaxy host the Sounders. Schmid managed the Sounders from their inception in 2009 through July 2016, when Brian Schmetzer took over coaching duties. The LA Galaxy–Sounders FC rivalry is always entertaining, but the stakes are now even more heightened.
