It’s no secret the Seattle Sounders head into Saturday’s match against Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) on a two-game scoring drought. But after a week of watching film and preparing on the training pitch, the team enters this weekend’s Western Conference matchup certain they can start converting their chances into goals.
“Everyone's trying their hardest in training,” said midfielder Obed Vargas. “The guys always give 100 percent and that's really all we can do and try to learn as much as we can by following what the coaches are trying to implement.”
Assistant Coach Freddy Juarez said there's been an emphasis throughout this week’s training on how to “manufacture goals” in different areas and situations on the pitch.
“We can manufacture [goals] by defending and regaining the ball in the high part of the field,” said Juarez. “We can score some goals maybe off a throw-in play, where the opponent is sleeping, we can throw it in quickly…We've gotten goals like that or from set pieces, so for us, it's no more stress on the defending, we have to keep doubling down on what we're doing.”
The underlying stats for the Sounders this season show that the team has been creating high-quality chances. According to American Soccer Analysis, the Rave Green have generated 27.99 Expected Goals this season – the fifth highest total of any team in MLS.
“As far as creating opportunities\], we have created,” said midfielder [Albert Rusnák. “Then it's about that finishing touch and about the final shot, so we have to keep creating chances, and start putting wins together.”
In preparation for the Houston Dynamo match, the team recognizes the importance of remaining optimistic and supportive of one another in order to surpass this dry spell.
“You just have to be confident in your guys,” said defender Cody Baker. “We have loads of talent on the field and sometimes you just go through a rough patch offensively, so I think once the first one comes, the floodgates just open and we'll be going.”
Communicating confidence amongst each other also includes acknowledging the good that has come out of the team’s recent play, specifically their league-leading 10 shutouts on the season.
Juarez said it perfectly.
“It's about staying positive and keep grinding out. You have to put some work on it, but you have to believe that it's going to happen.”
