Sounders bounced out of the Lamar Hunt Trophy competition by San Jose in a dramatic  (10-9) penalty shootout.

If experience is what Brian Schmetzer and his coaching staff are seeking for his players, no doubt experience is what they are getting After last Wednesday’s monumental CONCACAF Champions League win over Pumas,  the Rave Green have lost two consecutive games. A 2-0 loss at FC Dallas three days after the win over Pumas saw Schmetzer trot out a talented young lineup to give the veterans a rest. While some veterans came on late in the contest for a final push the result was a loss.

A week to the day of the Finals win Schmetzer trotted out another hybrid lineup of young talent mixed with veterans who once upon a time were starters.  The result was the same. Another loss. This time a wild (10-9)  penalty shootout defeat to the San  Jose Earthquakes in the  Lamar Hunt U. S Open tournament.  The Sounders have four U.S Open Cup trophies in their cupboard. A sign of just how big the club has become in that the U.S Open Cup  Trophy has become a training ground for a talented Sounders roster.

EXPECTATION TO WIN

While the  U.S Open Cup has become a tournament in which coaches can rest their star players the expectation is to win. Schmetzer reiterated that point after the loss to San  Jose.

“We had a good performance by many guys.  Hopefully, we can build upon this. Pretty much this was a growing game. The two mistakes are what hurt us. Overall, I think the group worked, they had some good moments, and we will look at the film and see what they can learn. I put a team out there to win. I don’t buy into a narrative of one game is bigger than another.”

EPIC EXPERIENCE

From day one of this young season, Schmetzer has preached youth development. The MLS season is one of the longest in sports, starting in late February with the regular seasoning ending on  October 9th  and the MLS Final scheduled for Nov 5th. The Sounders are currently  13th in the 14 Western Conference with a  ( 2-1-5 7 points ) record. To suggest the Sounders are in danger of not making the playoffs would be utter foolishness. Schmetzer’s rotational strategy worked to perfection in delivering the  CONCACAF  Champions League trophy. At some point, the Sounders will need to start winning. Soccer is fluid and rhythmic game.

RAPID LEAGUE GAMES

After a four-day break from competition, the Sounders will have a  chance to find their winning ways. The team will play three games in seven calendar days.  A May 5th home game against  Minnesota  ( 4-2- 4 14pts 7th in the league )  is followed by road games at Houston on May 18th   ( 3-3-4 12pts 8th in the league )  and  Colorado on May 22nd ( 3-3-4 12pts 9th in the league).  For Sounder Nation those are three mouthwatering fixtures that should equate to nine points.

For Schmetzer and his coaching staff, it will be an opportunity to prove the veteran-laden and talented squad is ready to get back to winning ways.

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