SEATTLE — One of the persistent criticisms of the Seattle Sounders under Brian Schmetzer is that they’re often only as good as their health. When they’ve got everyone available, they’re prone to go on runs that take them to MLS Cup. When they’re missing someone like Nicolás Lodeiro, the thinking goes, they tend to struggle.
The degree to which that’s true has probably always been overstated, but there’s a logic that’s hard to deny.
It’s also why a lot of pundits assumed this year would represent a step back. Not only did they lose three potential starters from last year’s team, but they’d also be playing without Jordan Morris for the year.