The conference championship feeling had just set in Thursday night, but a champagne-soaked Brian Schmetzer wasn’t ready to start comparing last year’s and this year’s Sounders squads.
But the coach did note one similarity between the two teams after Seattle routed Houston, 3-0, to set up an MLS Cup rematch with Toronto.
“Both teams had the right mindset, the right mental strength to persevere in critical moments,” Schmetzer said.
It has been a long, arduous road for the Sounders this season, dealing with a championship hangover, the uncertain status of two of its brightest stars, and other injuries to key players.