Seattle, WA

Sounder Strategy: Cascadia climax

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2024

Decision Day is here, and the Portland Timbers are in town. The largest Seattle Sounders crowd of 2024 will watch their team try to turn more than one narrative on its head as the season comes to a close.

The Sounders, who have not beaten the Timbers at home since 2017, can prove that the frustrating Gio Savarese era of underperformance against their rivals is over and done. They can lift the Cascadia Cup in front of their supporters. While ascending into the playoffs, they can send Portland tumbling in the opposite direction. Moreover, they can solidify a new storyline for the 2024 season that is less about injuries and poor starts and more about resilience and success. Let’s look at what has been working for Seattle’s attack and how they can finally turn the tide against the Timbers.

Sussing out Seattle

The most consequential turning point of the 2024 season came back in June, when Paul Rothrock entered the Seattle attack leaving Raúl Ruidíaz on the bench. Perhaps the second most significant moment came in Seattle’s last meeting with Portland when Cristian Roldan was pushed back a line to fill in for the injured João Paulo. In the six games since, Cristian has made the position his own, and Seattle’s more direct wing options playing in his stead have transformed the team.

Seattle’s top three players since August in American Soccer Analysis’ goals added (g+) metric are Jordan Morris, Cristian, and Paul Rothrock. Morris’ elite ability to receive progressive passes is well documented, but the connection between Cristian and Rothrock has helped the Sounders create danger from wide areas:

Roldan uses Rothrock as an outlet.

On the other wing, Pedro de la Vega still has not broken out as a DP-level contributor, but his play against Colorado showed undeniable improvement. In previous weeks, Pedro was clearly trying to do too much. He opted for poorly chosen shots and dribbles as if trying to make up for lost time. This match was different. Rather than try to be a hero, Pedro was a teammate. He stayed in position, received passes, and focused on beating defenders. It was sequences like this one that show how Pedro can be an asset in the remaining matches of 2024:

A beautifully crafted attacking sequence is nearly finished off by Pedro and Obed Vargas.

This is the ideal Sounders build-up sequence in 2024. Lightning quick movement from back to front gets the defense sprinting toward their own goal. Ragen breaks lines, Morris receives the ball dropping off the back line, and Rusnák is in the right place for one-touch distribution to the wing.

Too often this season, the wing was where attacking moves like this would die. Without the quickness and dribbling ability to beat defenders, the play would sputter and the Sounders would often recycle possession as the defense became organized. Between Rothrock, de la Vega, and Georgi Minoungou, that is changing. As de la Vega rounds the corner with one touch, leaving his defender in the dust, he has four targets arriving in the box with Colorado struggling to track them all. This sequence did not end in a goal, but the blueprint for success is there if Seattle can get a similar level of production on their left side that they are enjoying from Rothrock on their right.

Scouting Portland

Evander was a dark horse MVP candidate for months before the Timbers’ late-season slump all but ended those discussions. Still, there is no debate on who runs Portland’s attack, or who opposing defenders fear most. In this sequence, Evander’s movement toward the ball draws a defender, creating a hole through Dallas’ midfield. Evander then changes course, sending a one-touch pass out to the wing to continue the attacking movement:

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Seattle, WA

April’s West Seattle Art Walk and much more for your Thursday

Published

8 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

April’s West Seattle Art Walk and much more for your Thursday

(In case you weren’t awake early today, photographer Theresa Arbow-O’Connor was)

Here are highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks again to everyone who sends events for us to share!):

PASSOVER … concludes today.

FREE PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is hosting playspace today until noon. (42nd SW & SW Juneau)

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whether you’re planting or planning – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm – north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

TODDLER STORY TIME IN WESTWOOD: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME IN ADMIRAL: 10:30 am at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW).

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!) Probably C & P Coffee, we’re told (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Boys’ soccer with West Seattle HS vs. Rainier Beach at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle); softball with Chief Sealth IHS vs. Franklin at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is on today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK! Second Thursday means a celebration of art all around the peninsula, with most receptions running 5-8 pm. Here’s the venue list:

For highlights including which artists you’ll find showing their work tonight, at venues from Alki in the north to Gatewood in the south, browse this update!

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS this week – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Pizza Maniac.”

WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.

HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks (and you can take some home too). Just be there 5-7 pm!

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)

VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle! Tonight, it’s also a stop on the West Seattle Art Walk, as with every second Thursday.

POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If walking is more your speed, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm online – find out the history behind names, with historian Feliks Banel. Here’s how to get the link.

‘SOUND OF MUSIC’: Another chance to see West Seattle High School‘s production of the classic musical, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: TIGERS EYE, Ladyfingers, Summer Schoo, 7 pm, 21+, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

’90s TRIVIA: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm, Eric Blu & the Soul Revue, all ages, no cover. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: A relatively new West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).

‘WALDEN’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm opening performance of ArtsWest‘s new play. (4711 California SW)

DJ AT REVELRY ROOM: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Supreme La Rock starting at 8 pm. 21+.

Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Seattle, WA

Detectives Investigating Drive-By Shooting in South Seattle – SPD Blotter

Published

20 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Detectives Investigating Drive-By Shooting in South Seattle – SPD Blotter

Seattle police detectives in the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU) are investigating a drive-by shooting this afternoon that injured a young man in the Rainer Valley and shut down multiple intersections.

At about 4:40 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting at Rainier Avenue South and South Othello Street. Officers found three related crime scenes, with the initial location being the intersection of Rainier and Othello. There, officers recovered dozens of shell casings and bullet damage to a nearby business.

Police recovered additional ballistic evidence at the second scene, near Holly Park Drive South and South Myrtle Place. Officers discovered the third crime scene directly in front of the South Precinct, where they stopped one of the involved cars, a Tesla, that sustained significant bullet damage.

The driver of this car, an 18-year-old man, did not have any injuries. The passenger, also 18, sustained a grazing gunshot wound to his head. Firefighters arrived to treat his injury, and medics took him to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in stable condition.

Police determined that the suspects fired on the Tesla from another vehicle at Rainier and Othello. The victims sped away from the intersection and the suspect vehicle fled the area. Multiple cars drove away from the gunfire and pedestrians ran to safety. The Tesla sped off towards the precinct before being intercepted by officers.

Seattle police and King County deputies searched for the suspects but could not find them. Police did not make any arrests. GVRU detectives responded to the shooting. Police processed all three crime scenes and investigators conducted interviews at HMC. SPD’s Video Unit responded and recovered video footage from the area.

This is an open and active case assigned to GVRU. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.

Incident Number: 2026-96231

*Seattle police officers close down an intersection in South Seattle as they search for evidence following a drive-by shooting.*

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Seattle, WA

Who are your all-time favorite late-round Seattle Seahawks draft picks?

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Who are your all-time favorite late-round Seattle Seahawks draft picks?

We’re continuing our theme of Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft discussion today with a trip down memory lane.

The Seahawks have a deep history of finding some gems in the later rounds of the draft. Three Legion of Boom members were taken in the fourth, fifth, fifth, and sixth rounds, while Seattle’s first Super Bowl MVP was seventh-round linebacker Malcolm Smith. The only offensive touchdown scored in Seattle’s second Super Bowl win was by fourth-round tight end A.J. Barner, who might be on the cusp of stardom beyond the Seattle sports bubble.

We want to know your favorite Seahawks late-round draft picks of all time, but there is a clear restriction to eliminate some obvious candidates. A “late-round draft pick” is defined as no earlier than Round 4, which means Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett are ineligible as third-rounders. Once upon a time, the NFL Draft was longer than seven rounds—the Seahawks’ inaugural season had a 17-round draft—so if you want to really choose players from before the change-over in 1994 then go right ahead! Undrafted players like Doug Baldwin do not count because, well, they were literally not drafted.

You don’t have to reason that they were legendary, all-time great Seahawks. Chris Carson is not one of the top three running backs in Seahawks history but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t a joy to watch a seventh-round pick become a quality starter whose career was cruelly cut short due to injury.

And yes, Michael Dickson (fifth-round pick) counts because punters are indeed people.

Refer to Pro Football Reference for the Seahawks’ draft history in case your memory needs jogging.

Chat away in the comments below!