Nos Audietis

The Seattle Sounders have been on a really nice run but they have mostly been beating pretty bad teams. They'll get their biggest test of the season when they face LAFC on Saturday. To help preview the game, Niko Moreno joins Jeremiah. They also discuss some of the drama going on behind-the-scenes and look ahead to Leagues Cup. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The suddenly surging Seattle Sounders will host St. Louis City on Wednesday, an opponent very much going in the opposite direction. St. Louis have gone just 1-8-3 in their past 12 games, which includes a 2-1 loss at home to the Sounders in their previous meeting. Since then, St. Louis has fired their head coach and doesn't appear to be much closer to getting out of their injury woes that have dogged them for much of this season. To help us get a better understanding of the opponent, we welcome back Matt Baker [https://x.com/MattBakerSTL] of the podcast Flyover Footy [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flyover-footy-a-st-louis-city-sc-and-soccer-in-stl-podcast/id1529481082]. Jeremiah also appeared on their podcast if you're interested in listening to that. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Recently, someone asked if the Sounders were a good bad team or a bad good team and after another successful week I'm leaning toward maybe just a good team. On Saturday, the Sounders scored a pretty comprehensive 2-0 win over the New England Revolution and followed that up two days later with a road win over the Sacramento Republic in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. In a vacuum, neither win is particularly impressive. Heck, if you look at any of their recent wins, none of them are particularly impressive. But we're now at a point where the form is almost undeniable. The Sounders have now won four straight across all competitions and are now unbeaten in six. Go a little farther back and they're 7-1-3 in their last 11. They've done this while scoring multiple goals in six straight in and 8 of their last 11, too.  This is actually … fun? Jeremiah and Aaron break it down while also sharing some of their experiences after watching some recent games from the stands and how the concourse experience has gotten appreciably worse. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Adam Moffat only spent part of a season with the Seattle Sounders, but the MLS veterans still remembers that 2013 season fondly even if it didn't end quite as everyone had hoped. Now a color commentator for the Sacramento Republic, we caught up with Moffat to get some insight into Tuesday's opponent in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The New England Revolution got off to one of the worst starts in MLS history, but have since improved dramatically with five wins in their past six matches. To help us understand what is going on with Caleb Porter's new team, we enlisted the help of Sam Minton [https://x.com/Sam_Minton22], who runs The Blazing Musket [https://www.theblazingmusket.com/]. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

In our constant effort to right-size our offerings, we've decided to start doing monthly mailbag episodes. This is the first of those episodes. Among the topics we tackle are expectations for the summer transfer window, explore the usefulness of G+ and try to explain why there were so few MLS-era players at the 50th Anniversary celebration. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

We finally having a bonafide winning streak to talk about. Fresh off their seven-point week, the Sounders followed that up with another come-from-behind win, this time beating the Chicago Fire 2-1. Like their previous two results, the Sounders needed to come from behind in this one. But after playing some of their least inspiring soccer of the season during the first 30 minutes, they recovered to have one of their best halves of the season. Both goals came from the penalty spot, but they were the product of continuous pressure with Albert Rusnák converting the game-winner in the 92nd minute. It marked the first time in Sounders history that they won consecutive games in stoppage time. They're still barely in the playoffs in the No. 9 spot, but after going 6-2-4 in league play over the last two months, they're just three points out of the No. 4 spot. In this week's episode, Jeremiah and Aaron discuss the Sounders' improved fortunes and try to determine how sustainable it is. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The Chicago Fire are mired in last place of the Eastern Conference, but don't let that fool you. Ever since Xherdan Shaqiri left for the Euros, the Fire have been playing pretty decent soccer. In five games without their "captain", the Fire are 2-1-2, which includes a home win over the LA Galaxy and a road win over Toronto FC. To get a better idea of what kind of opponent we should expect, we talked to Alex Calabrese [https://x.com/amcalabrese12?ref=sounderatheart.com] of Men in Red [https://meninred97.com/?ref=sounderatheart.com]. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Say what you will about the consistency the Seattle Sounders have shown over the past few months, but we can probably all agree that they've never been quite as entertaining as they were during the last week. The Sounders registered their first seven-point week and did it in particularly interesting style, twice coming back from two goals down to earn points. The last of those was obviously the most exciting, with Jordan Morris bagging a 90+4' winner on Saturday. As if that wasn't enough, though, the Sounders also have some drama to deal with after Raúl Ruidíaz and Nouhou both got themselves suspended. Jeremiah and Aaron talk about it all. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

When last we talked, the Sounders had just lost to Sporting KC and we were openly wondering if it was time to admit that they might just be a bad team. You'll have to pardon the whiplash, but two games later we think that was probably an unfair conclusion and are now wondering the opposite.  No, a 2-0 win over Minnesota United and a 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo doesn't suddenly make us think the Sounders are MLS Cup contenders, but it is some evidence that this team might be a bit better than they had been looking. The draw with the Dynamo was weirdly even more encouraging, not because the Sounders played better but because they looked so awful in the first half and still managed to come back. That's what good teams do! It's probably too early to say the Sounders are a contender, but they sure do look a lot better than they did two weeks ago and we're OK calling that progress. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

It's hard to accurately describe just how frustrating Saturday's result was, but I'll try. Facing a team that was pretty awful by both the eye and analytics test, that hadn't won in like three months, the Sounders managed to find a way to lose despite scoring first. There were all sorts of problems in this game from subbing patterns, to a lack of discipline to a passive defense and a punchless offense. Jeremiah and Aaron do their best to look for ways forward, but are mostly frustrated with the state of things. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Jimmy Mack of KC Soccer Journal and No Other Pod joins us to provide some insight into Saturday's opponent, Sporting KC. Just like the last time these two teams faced, Sporting KC comes in on a 10-game winless run. Unlike last time, the underlying numbers suggest Sporting is just as bad as their record suggests. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

With no game last weekend, Jeremiah and Aaron have an extended Mailbag episode this week. Among the topics they tackle are what the Sounders need to do for this season to be considered a success; how much of the malaise around the team is directly attributable to home scoring woes; and where expectations should be set for the summer transfer window. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Adrian Hanauer first became formally involved in the Seattle Sounders when he became the managing partner of the USL team in 2002. One of the first big hires he made was appointing Brian Schmetzer to be the head coach. While steering the ship on the business side, he also served as the team's general manager, a role he maintained for the first five years of the Sounders' MLS existence. I first met Hanauer in 2010, shortly after I started writing for Sounder at Heart. At the time, I was struck by how eager he was to share his thoughts on both the business and sporting aspects of the team. He stepped down as the GM following the 2014 season and has been the majority owner since 2015. As the Sounders and his role within the team have evolved, I've also had fewer interactions with him. Behind the scenes, though, he remains as active as ever. Hanauer is a near daily fixture at the team's new Longacres training facility, where his office overlooks the pitch. That's where Hanauer and I met about 10 days ago to broadly discuss the state of the franchise. My intention was to get a sense of where he sees the Sounders within the broader MLS landscape; what kind of preparations are in order for the 2025 Club World Cup; how he perceives the Sounders' handling of various off-field issues; and his vision for Longacres that goes beyond the training facility. You can listen to the entire interview here: Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

For a few glorious moments, it felt like the Sounders had scored a hard-fought win over the top team in the Western Conference. The seeming clincher came deep into stoppage time when Reed Baker-Whiting intercepted a pass, drove forward, shrugged off a defender and calmly delivered a pass to Danny Musovski, who hit a sliding shot into the net. Musovski, who has had a few terrible misses in recent weeks, looked particularly relieved. Baker-Whiting, who has been working himself back from a six-month injury absence, let out a roar that had to be particularly cathartic. Except it didn't happen. Well, at least not officially. VAR flagged Musovski's challenge that started the sequence for review and the referee ultimately decided to wave off hte goal. Less than a minute after the ball was put back into play, RSL had the equalizer when the Sounders failed three separate opportunities to clear the danger. Instead of a potential season-defining win, the Sounders were instead stuck with more frustrating dropped points. In a season of depressing results, this feels like a low point. Jeremiah and Aaron discuss. Sponsors Full Pull Wines [https://fullpullwines.com/] Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/ You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch [https://nosaudietis.threadless.com/] including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo. "Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/