10 things we learned from MLS Gameweek 18
Here are the ten things we learned from week eighteen of the MLS season. 1. Seattle Strikes A Blow To Save Its Season There is no torture in soccer like the torture of being unable to score goals. That’s what … Continue reading →

Here are the ten things we learned from week eighteen of the MLS season.

1. Seattle Strikes A Blow To Save Its Season

There is no torture in soccer like the torture of being unable to score goals. That’s what the Seattle Sounders were facing as they played on the horror show that is Univision’s MLS coverage for the first time on Friday night against DC United.

Seattle came in with one goal – none from the run of play – in its last three games, all losses against teams lower in the table. The Sounders were always just going to try to tread water until the end of the Gold Cup, but with noted smash-and-grab specialists DC coming in, the situation was getting desperate for the Rave Green.

Even with Fabian Espindola getting sent off for what seems like the 61st time in the last two years late in the first half, Seattle’s offense sputtered. With Sigi Schmid throwing formations and reserve players against the wall, and DC positioning for another hard-fought, against-the-odds result, it was full-back Tyrone Mears who hit a beautiful game-winning goal with time almost up.

Mears has been a terrific signing for the Sounders – who really haven’t missed DeAndre Yedlin – and is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Seattle. Thing is, he might have to score a few more before the month is out – Obafemi Martins is out, and Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, and Marco Pappa are all gone for the Gold Cup.

This was a huge result for Seattle, because during this stretch, every point is to be savored. Mears’ strike wasn’t a solution. But it was absolutely vital.

10. The Fans!

Taking full advantage of the fourth of July – the only holiday that MLS has ever reasonably been able to claim as its own – being on a Saturday, this weekend was a bonanza for attendance.

Real Salt Lake broke the all-time attendance record at the Rio Tinto Stadium, Colorado and Dallas both shattered their attendance records for this season, and Montreal broke their record for 2015 at Stade Saputo.

The LA Galaxy, who have always played at home on the 4th, sold out as well. Add in home games for Portland and Seattle, and you have a weekend to remember. MLS is a better product when it’s played in full stadiums. It’s that simple. The question now is, how do you bottle the excitement from this weekend and translate it to the next?