Even for a three-time defensive player of the year, what the Sounders have done lately is a tad unprecedented.
Center back Chad Marshall has watched his team hold opponents without a goal for 400 minutes and counting. It’s a stretch spanning more than four games, starting with a second-half rally from three goals down against D.C. United and followed by a rout over San Jose, a draw at Los Angeles and victories over Minnesota United FC and Sporting Kansas City to move into a first place tie.
Not bad for a team that’s spent most of the season struggling to keep a consistent back line from one week to the next.