POLL: Will the arrival of Ruidiaz save the Sounders’ season?

Struggling Seattle is counting on the Peruvian international forward to jump-start its campaign.

Can Raul Ruidiaz save Seattle Sounders FC’s season?

The Sounders are in big-time danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Seattle advanced to the postseason in each of its previous nine years of existence, including reaching the MLS Cup final the past two years. But following Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to the archrival Portland Timbers, the Sounders find themselves in dire straits. Seattle’s record through 15 games is 3-9-3, and the team’s 12 points place the Sounders in 11th place in the 12-team Western Conference, 11 points out of playoff position.

It isn’t just the fact the Sounders are losing, it’s the manner of their losing that’s problematic. Seattle scored a paltry 13 goals in its first 15 games. The 13 goals are by far the fewest in the league, with every other team in MLS having found the net at least 19 times this season. The Sounders’ 0.87 goals per game is also the worst in the league, with Minnesota’s 1.19 goal per contest being the second-worst rate.

The Sounders hope Ruidiaz is the solution that once again turns around what was thought to be a lost season.

Ruidiaz is the big-time goal-scoring threat Seattle desperately needs. The 27-year-old Peruvian national team member, long rumored to be headed to Seattle, was officially signed as a designed player last Friday after Peru was eliminated from the World Cup. He arrives with a strong track record of scoring in Mexico’s top division, leading Liga MX in goals in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons while playing for Monarcas Morelia — he scored 40 goals in 72 games across all competitions during his two seasons with Morelia. He’s scored four goals in 31 international appearances for Peru, including appearing as a substitute in two of Peru’s three games at the World Cup.

Ruidiaz has joined the Sounders for training, but is not eligible to play for Seattle until after July 10, meaning he won’t play in the Sounders’ next two games. The first game he’s eligible to play in is the July 15 away game against Atlanta United FC, meaning he can start playing at exactly the midway point of the season — Seattle will have 17 games remaining. Will that leave enough time for Ruidiaz to fire the Sounders back into the playoffs?

Recent history suggests there’s a chance. Seattle seemed well on its way to missing the playoffs the previous two seasons, only to mount furious second-half rallies that carried over into the postseason and resulted in runs to the MLS Cup final, including the team’s first title in 2016. The 2016 season in particular is nearly a mirror image to the current situation. The Sounders were 6-12-2 in late July when coach Sigi Schmid was fired. The coaching change, which happened to correspond with the arrival of Uruguayan international playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro as reinforcement, spurred Seattle to an 8-2-4 finish, a berth in the playoffs, and eventually a lifting of the MLS Cup.

So will Ruidiaz’s arrival have a similar impact? Make your prediction here:


Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

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.