Did the Seattle Sounders’ 1-0 loss at Portland Wednesday night damage their hopes of capturing the Supporters’ Shield?
The Sounders trail Columbus Crew SC by nine points after 13 games, but Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said its premature for Shield talk right now.
“Let’s pump the brakes a little there" Schmetzer said in his post-match press conference. "I just wanted to create some separation in a tight Western Conference. Now Portland is even on points [with Seattle for top spot]. Yeah, we’ve got a game in hand but … we lost a massive, massive opportunity to put some room between us and the other guys in our conference. Once we solve that one then I’ll start talking about Columbus.”
Schmetzer said the Sounders “absolutely deserved a better result” against a Timbers team that were more disciplined in their defending in the second half. Breaking down teams that defend in two blocks of four and look for transition opportunities has been challenging for the Sounders.
“We seem to not be able to break teams down. Is that because we don’t have a real dribbler like [Steve] Zakuani? Is it because Jordan [Morris] doesn’t have space to run in behind? Is it because we’re a team that doesn’t cross a lot of balls,” Schmetzer asked. “We have shots from distance that are usually lower percentage shots. I can say all of that, but what I would say is that this is pro soccer, pro sports. And had Raul [Ruidiaz] finished that chance and Jordan finished that chance and we get a couple of goals in that first half, the second half might not have been so frustrating.”
Adding to Schmetzer’s frustration is that Joevin Jones left the match early in the second half with what appeared to be a knee injury. Schmetzer said the Trinidad & Tobago international, who has started the last four matches on the right wing, will have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
