Sounders Earn First MLS Win in Four Months; Returners Shine
News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali

Sounders Earn First MLS Win in Four Months; Returners Shine

SEATTLE, Wash — Keeper Andrew Thomas could only watch as center back Jackson Ragen let a clear Real Salt Lake ball find striker Sergi Solans' feet on a sudden breakaway chance for the visitors.

Offensive chances had come few and far between for the Seattle Sounders and their visitors on Wednesday night, with the game still scoreless in the 47th minute. As Solans, scorer of nine goals this season, strode past Ragen, Thomas loaded his legs and prepared to try and stop the striker. Solans chose to go left late, opting to dribble around the star keeper.

Not this time.

Thomas dove to poke the ball away successfully and save Seattle from falling behind in a grudge match without their starting striker Dejan Joveljić (international duty with Serbia). Moments later, Joveljić's backup and Wednesday night starter, Danny Musovski, picked out the bottom-right corner on his longest shot attempt of the season to put Seattle ahead 1-0.

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WATCH: Sounders Settle for Scoreless Draw with Red Bulls, Pick Up First Clean Sheet Since April
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WATCH: Sounders Settle for Scoreless Draw with Red Bulls, Pick Up First Clean Sheet Since April

Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 0-0 draw between the 7-9-6 Seattle Sounders (13th in Western Conference) and Red Bull New York (7-10-6) on Saturday night.

The Sounders won the expected-goals battle 2.1-1.0 and took 20 shots, but six key saves from RBNY keeper Ethan Horvath and close-range misses by Paul Rothrock and Sebastian Gomez kept the Rave Green scoreless. Defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was the latest in a constant stream of Sounders players to get injured, as the wingback sprained his right ankle in the first half and was confirmed to be in a boot postgame. On a positive note, the Sounders tabbed their first clean sheet since April, as keeper Andrew Thomas had four saves while Cristian Roldan, Alex Roldan and others played sound defensive games.

The Sounders will take on the team one spot ahead of them in the LA Galaxy next week, with 12 games left before the MLS Cup Playoffs.

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Joveljić Picks Up Brace in Debut, Sounders Manage Thrilling Draw With Solid Chicago
News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali

Joveljić Picks Up Brace in Debut, Sounders Manage Thrilling Draw With Solid Chicago

It was the kind of debut every Seattle Sounders fan dreamed of for their new striker, Dejan Joveljić.

Facing a Chicago Fire squad that signed European legend Robert Lewandowski recently, Joveljić scored a brace in a 90-minute game to combat two Chicago goals and secure a 2-2 draw. For a Sounders team that is just two games removed from an eight-game MLS losing streak, the 7-9-5 squad splitting points with an 11-4-6 and in-form Chicago squad was a solid result. For one, Joveljić’s big game marked Seattle’s first time scoring two goals in a game since May 13.

Still, a missed late chance from Albert Rusnák that would've put Seattle on top 3-1 was one of a few moments that left Seattle skipper Brian Schmetzer wanting more out of the performance.

"This draw feels like a loss. Because of the way we played, the potential that was there… we need to obviously close that game out," Schmetzer said. "It hurts, but that locker room feels like they have something."

The locker room certainly has a striker it can count on.

Joveljić scored in close in the 12th minute before giving Seattle the lead back on a showstopping shot to the top-left corner in the 48th. It was, almost without a doubt, the best strike by a Sounder all season.

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Sounders Implode Late Against Vancouver; Extend MLS Losing Streak to Seven
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

Sounders Implode Late Against Vancouver; Extend MLS Losing Streak to Seven

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Sounders have found many ways to end up in the loss column in the franchise-worst seven-game losing streak they find themselves in. But their 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night may end up taking the cake, as Seattle gave up a 77th-minute transition winner before conceding a rare in-the-box free kick five minutes later.

'Caps star Thomas Müller buried a shot off the set piece to send the Rave Green faithful to the exits, their faith bordering on broken with how things crumbled.

The ones who stuck around let the boos rain down on the home team.

"They paid the ticket, they paid the money," Schmetzer said. "They can say what they need to say, they can boo, they can leave, that's fine."

Still, despite a long list of injuries that grew with midfielder Jesús Ferreira (hamstring) going down on Sunday, Schmetzer drew on the effort his team showed as a silver lining. Seattle kept Vancouver at bay for the first 40 minutes before the Whitecaps took over to finish with a 16-4 shots advantage. Seattle didn’t manage a shot on target.

Schmetzer acknowledged the lack of production, but continues to stand by his players’ collective work rate.

"The energy and the fight that the team will show, maybe that's something they can latch onto," Schmetzer said. "The players haven't given up on them. The players are still working, so hopefully the fans don't give up on the players."

It was a duel of two typically prolific squads who have each been struggling for the last few months. Vancouver entered Sunday without a win in its last seven games while Seattle was on a six-game MLS slide.

The Sounders dropped to 7-8-3, falling below .500 for the first time in 2026 after starting 6-1-1. Seattle’s free-fall has it out of the MLS Cup Playoffs as things stand, sitting at 11th place with 16 games to go.

What happened?

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WATCH: Timbers Strike Late, Extend Sounders' Streak of Misery to 6 Games
News, Analysis, Video, Game Day Qasim Ali News, Analysis, Video, Game Day Qasim Ali
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WATCH: Timbers Strike Late, Extend Sounders' Streak of Misery to 6 Games

Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali details a 2-1 Seattle Sounders loss at the Portland Timbers on Saturday night, dropping the Rave Green into a franchise-worst six-game losing streak and to a 7-7-3 record. Portland also leapfrogged Seattle in the standings, occupying the eighth and final spot in the MLS playoff picture with three months to play.

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Sounders Enter Unprecedented Territory with Fifth Straight Loss
News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali News, Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali

Sounders Enter Unprecedented Territory with Fifth Straight Loss

The Seattle Sounders continued their tailspin on Saturday night, losing 1-0 to the last-place Philadelphia Union (3-10-4) on the road. The result extended Seattle's losing streak to five, the worst in MLS play under coach Brian Schmetzer.

The Sounders, who started the campaign at 6-1-1, now sit at 7-6-3 and in sixth place in the Western Conference with one more game before their Leagues Cup title defense begins on Aug. 5.

It was only the seventh meeting all-time between Philadelphia and Seattle, and the Sounders gave up a rare kind of goal in the 31st minute of Saturday's game. Union striker Milan Iloski scored his ninth of the season by running past a makeshift Seattle backline, which defended well all night, and floated a ball over keeper Andrew Thomas in an awkward moment for the first-year starter.

It's the first time since 2015 that the Sounders have lost five straight MLS games. Schmetzer started coaching the squad in 2016.

The 63-year-old skipper said he “isn’t killing” the players over this streak, as Seattle continues to try and survive missing at least five usual starters at once.

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Jackson Ragen Earns Only Sounders All-Star Nod; Andrew Thomas Misses the Cut
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

Jackson Ragen Earns Only Sounders All-Star Nod; Andrew Thomas Misses the Cut

Jackson Ragen is an All-Star.

Seattle's 6-6 center back, who first came into the organization through the Tacoma Defiance back in 2021, has been an iron man in Seattle's backline, starting in 11 of 13 games in 2026. He received a coach's selection from Charlotte FC skipper Dean Smith on Wednesday to make the cut.

He's used his frame to bail Seattle out of some sticky defensive situations, blocking two shots in a 1-0 win over San Jose back in March, and has been a mainstay in a center back partnership that has included Yeimar, Alex Roldan, Antino Lopez and Kim Kee-hee. According to FotMob, Ragen ranks in the top 98% for ball touches among MLS center backs and his ability to distribute the ball with a 55% long ball completion rate has been a valuable tool for head coach Brian Schmetzer’s squad for a few seasons now.

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WATCH: Recapping Sounders Solid Start, And Late Troubles, Ahead of the World Cup
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WATCH: Recapping Sounders Solid Start, And Late Troubles, Ahead of the World Cup

Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 7-3-3 start to the Seattle Sounders’ 2026 campaign. The team started 6-1-1 before falling into a slump and entering the June FIFA World Cup break at sixth in the Western Conference.

The Sounders will be back in action on July 16 against their rival Portland Timbers, as Cristian Roldan (United States) is the only Seattle player rostered for the World Cup.

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Sounders Hopes Dashed by Late LAFC Winner Before World Cup Break
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

Sounders Hopes Dashed by Late LAFC Winner Before World Cup Break

It was all going to plan for the Seattle Sounders through eight games.

Sitting at 6-1-1 with the best defense in the league, head coach Brian Schmetzer’s squad looked to insert itself into the top of the Supporters Shield Race with a road game against flailing Sporting Kansas City and a three-match homestand coming.

Instead of thriving on the schedule, Seattle went 1-1-2 heading into a key road date with a struggling LAFC squad (7-5-3), fresh off three losses, on the final Sunday before the June World Cup Break.

Seattle managed to play a scoreless game through 85 minutes, bringing on offensive subs late to try and steal three points. But it was the home team that notched the win, as midfielder Timothy Tillman came out of nowhere late to slam a cross-goal service past Andrew Thomas for the win.

Seattle dropped to 7-3-3 and into sixth place out west with nearly two months to go before its return to play against Portland on July 16.

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How Do Sounders Stack Up in MLS All-Star Voting?
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

How Do Sounders Stack Up in MLS All-Star Voting?

The MLS All-Star Game may not be the most popular among fans for its unusual place in international football culture, but it's an easy way for teams to get publicity for their highest-performing players.

Last season, now Atletico Madrid midfielder Obed Vargas was the only Seattle Sounder to make the squad. With the Sounders off to a much better start at 7-2-3 (4th in Western Conference) this time around, Seattle is generating buzz with one day of fan voting left before the July 29 All-Star Game in Charlotte.

This season, the Sounders are tied for the fewest goals allowed in league play (10), but are tied for the fifth-fewest scored (17). As such, solid offensive seasons for Paul Rothrock (5 G+A), Albert Rusnak (6 G+A) and Jesus Ferreira (5 G+A) simply don't stack up with the rest of a league that is oversaturated with ridiculous scoring lines this season. Instead, look for the pieces that are powering the elite defense performance to get some love in Charlotte.

Keeper Andrew Thomas, USMNT midfield prospect Cristian Roldan, center back Jackson Ragen, right back Alex Roldan and left back Nouhou were all top-five in fan voting at their respective positions as of May 18, according to MLS. The voting process will take fan, media and player votes into account for 11 of the players, while Charlotte coach Dean Smith will select 13 and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will pick the remaining two All-Stars.

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Sounders Equalize Late, Survive San Diego with Draw Despite Missed Chances
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

Sounders Equalize Late, Survive San Diego with Draw Despite Missed Chances

It's becoming a theme, and the Sounders don't seem thrilled with it.

For the second straight game, the Seattle Sounders have taken a 1-1 draw in a game where they generated far more than one goal's worth of opportunities. Last time came at a struggling Sporting Kansas City squad, and this time was against a floundering San Diego FC squad (3-5-4, 11th in Western Conference), trying to pick up the pieces after a slow start.

In all, Seattle (6-1-3, fourth in Western Conference) took 25 shots, just four on frame, and generated 3.6 expected goals.

To create all of that, the Sounders forced eight corner kicks, crossed the ball into scoring chances 11 times, had seven of their shots blocked, and touched the ball 52 times in San Diego's box after doing the same over 40 times against KC.

But after all those chances that ended in poor decisions or a lack of quality in bringing them to fruition, the Sounders finally broke through in the 80th. They had trailed nearly all night thanks to an 18th-minute goal from San Diego's Marcus Ingvartsen as Nouhou failed to mark the Danish national in a run-of-play goal.

After multiple chances ended in a Seattle corner, though, Albert Rusnak found Cristian Roldan at the near post, who flicked the ball back to Danny Musovski through a sea of bodies in the box. Musovski did what he does best, tapping it in with precision just moments after hitting the crossbar on one of many frustrating opportunities on the night.

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Sounders Steal One in H-Town, Rothrock Stars Again
Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali Analysis, Game Day Qasim Ali

Sounders Steal One in H-Town, Rothrock Stars Again

The Seattle Sounders are rolling.

Even as a lightning delay derailed the beginning of the game and the Houston Dynamo gave Seattle's offense fits all night, the Sounders refused to stop rolling.

Paul Rothrock scored his fifth goal in all competitions to break a scoreless deadlock in the 83rd, turning a solid draw into a stolen 1-0 road win on Saturday night, as Seattle carries its road warrior persona through early April with a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

"It's not easy to win on the road, it's not easy to even get points on the road, a draw. But we came out with a gritty performance because the guys just grinded it out," Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer said.

Indeed, the Sounders earned the points despite the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals matchup with Mexican giant Tigres looming on Wednesday. As such, Schmetzer rotated and leaned on a roster that has well over 11 starters, by his account, to get it done on a soggy night in Houston.

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Sounders Draw with Minnesota in Scoreless Grudge Match
News, Analysis Qasim Ali News, Analysis Qasim Ali

Sounders Draw with Minnesota in Scoreless Grudge Match

The Seattle Sounders played to a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United on Sunday morning, which eliminated Seattle in a dramatic three-game series last season.

The Seattle Sounders went into Allianz Stadium looking for a fifth consecutive win away from Lumen Field. They got about a third of what they bargained for, playing to a 0-0 draw with the Loons to move to 3-1-1 on the young season.

Minnesota played its usual low block, dropping five defenders back and daring Seattle to beat them without giving up transition chances. Both sides generated around one expected goal, as there were moments of brilliance, especially toward the end of the game.

In the end, the Sounders kept their fifth clean sheet of the year as they head into a short international break in the middle of the Western Conference standings.

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Sounders Epitomize 'Bend Don't Break' in 1-0 Win Over Earthquakes
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Sounders Epitomize 'Bend Don't Break' in 1-0 Win Over Earthquakes

There were heroes everywhere in the Seattle Sounders' 1-0 MLS win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Rothrock led a depleted Sounders (3-1-0 W-L-D) front with strong runs that netted a 20th-minute goal, while keeper Andrew Thomas had arguably his best game in 2026 with seven saves.

But what Antino Lopez did in the 74th minute to preserve that scoreline will stand the test of time.

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Sounders Overcome Tough Calls, Injuries in 2-0 Season-Opening Win
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Sounders Overcome Tough Calls, Injuries in 2-0 Season-Opening Win

In one of the clunkier games of soccer ever played under the lights of Lumen Field, the hometown Sounders emerged with a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids to open the 2026 season.

Paul Rothrock took over early for an injured Jordan Morris, picking up a hustle-driven assist and a second-half goal to add to his local legend. Keeper Andrew Thomas wasn't tested much, but logged a clean sheet in his first game after being named the starter.

All in all, the Sounders were in another weight class from a younger Colorado squad, winning practically every moment of the game.

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