Seattle Sounders humble St. Louis CITY in battle for Western Conference lead | MLSSoccer.com

Considered one of a number of promising youngsters to filter by way of the Sounders’ revitalized youth system in recent times, Atencio already has greater than 50 first-team matches below his belt regardless of his age. He ranks as considered one of their most spectacular improvement initiatives, as does Jackson Ragen, the middle again maintaining Ecuadorian worldwide Xavier Arreaga on the bench at current.

“I believe we had some accidents final yr and that allowed him to play a little bit bit,” goalkeeper Stefan Frei stated of Ragen postgame. “I bear in mind distinctly telling him, ‘Look, when a few of these senior guys come again, you’ll in all probability get pushed again onto the bench.’ That’s only a harsh actuality at instances. Both you’ll be able to pout or you’ll be able to take that as a problem, and I believe he confirmed he has a superb head on his shoulders – he took it as a problem.”

That’s considered one of a number of causes the shadow of final season’s historic failure to succeed in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs after their Concacaf Champions League triumph is receding quickly in Seattle. Schmetzer admitted he’s presently spoiled for alternative with regards to selecting his lineups, not solely when it comes to competing choices in a number of positions, however the versatility of key cogs like Jordan Morris, who slotted seamlessly from the left wing to their lone striker position and produced objectives in bunches when Ruidíaz was sidelined by damage.

“I believe we’re nonetheless creating the precise ultimate product,” stated Schmetzer. “There is a methods to go. I believe what this group of gamers provides us as a training workers is choices.

“Offers me a variety of sleepless nights, but it surely’s a extremely, actually good downside to have.”