Sounders ride winless streak into playoffs

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Tuesday, October 22, 2013 8:21pm
  • SportsSports

The Seattle Sounders have ridden a six-game winless streak straight into the MLS playoffs.

The Sounders lost their fourth consecutive game Saturday at Dallas, yet they qualified the next day when San Jose was eliminated.

Those conflicting circumstances were reflected through conflicting emotions Tuesday as the team returned to practice for its final regular-season game Sunday, when the Los Angeles Galaxy visits CenturyLink Field.

“Obviously, I would have rathered us win … that kind of makes it a little bit more special,” goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann said. “But the fact is the results throughout the season have indicated that we’re in the playoffs.”

Coach Sigi Schmid opened his Tuesday media session by stressing that latter point — even before the first question was asked.

“I’d rather be in the playoffs than be in San Jose’s shoes, where they win a lot of games at the end and don’t make the playoffs,” he said. “… We got our points in the middle of the season. We didn’t start off well early. We haven’t so far finished well. But at the end of the day we got enough points to get into the playoffs.”

And with that primary goal accomplished, Schmid indicated there are limits to how far he will go this weekend in trying to improve playoff seeding.

“We don’t want to put anybody out there on the field that by playing them on Sunday it’s going to severely hurt their chances to be able to play in the next game,” he said. “So we’re going to put guys out there that are healthy.”

Everything from first to fifth in the Western Conference is possible for the Sounders as this final week of the MLS season opens today with Chivas USA visiting No. 2 Real Salt Lake. However, Seattle must beat the Galaxy on Sunday in order to avoid the single play-in game between the fourth- and fifth-place finishers at the middle of next week.

Schmid admits that would be an advantage, but he also points to the league’s history of low seeds advancing to MLS Cup.

“Once you enter the playoffs it’s a cup competition, which means every dog can have their day,” he said. “… Very rarely does the team that wins Supporters Shield win in the playoffs.”

General manager Adrian Hanauer said playoff qualification isn’t a cause for celebration, but rather a marker the club must pass on its way toward goals worth celebrating.

“For us, it’s kind of a minimum standard,” he said. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been a successful season. I think it means it hasn’t been a failure of a season. But we want to win trophies, and you don’t get a trophy for making the playoffs.”

Schmid’s status

Majority owner Joe Roth told Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl that Schmid isn’t to blame for the Sounders’ ongoing slump. “This guy is the winningest coach in MLS history,” Roth is quoted as saying. “I don’t think he’s at fault.”

Schmid was asked about the comment.

“I didn’t even know about that until somebody told me (on Monday),” he said. “I try not to look at a lot of that stuff.”

Hanauer agreed with Roth’s assessment. However, he indicated it shouldn’t been taken as a commitment that Schmid will be brought back for a sixth season in 2014.

“Owners are emotional, things change — it’s reality,” Hanauer said. “But I do agree with Joe. If we’re placing blame, there’s plenty to go around, from (the owners on) down the list. And everybody can do a little bit better. And again, in the offseason, that’s our job: to figure out where we can optimize and tweak and get better and hopefully avoid some of the inconsistencies. That’s a word that I think is appropriate for this season, is it has been inconsistent.”

Added time

Schmid said he won’t announce until Sunday whether Hahnemann or Michael Gspurning will start against the Galaxy. Schmid said injured players Djimi Traore, Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins are “better,” but didn’t declare anyone in or out for Sunday.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.