MLS 2020: Sounders embrace challenge of trying to repeat

SEATTLE (AP) – Brian Schmetzer has long exhibited an insatiable urge to raise the expectations for the Seattle Sounders. Nothing seems to be changing even though the Sounders enter the upcoming season as league champs. There’s always the challenge of trying to become the first MLS team to repeat as champion in nearly a decade. “We know as a coaching staff, the team, they’re going to be out for us,” Schmetzer said. “But I actually tried to just say, `Look, we’re going to try and do a little bit more here, a little bit more there, a little bit smarter over here,´ just so we can raise our own standard and not worry about what are teams going to do against us.” In a way, Seattle fulfilled its destiny a year ago.

The team with arguably the most successful expansion launch in league history, the Sounders finally earned a chance to host the MLS Cup final while also playing in the game. They rewarded the nearly 70,000 spectators there that day with a 3-1 win over Toronto. That means Seattle begins this season – which starts Sunday hosting Chicago – with a second star on its crest, and an even larger target within an improving and expanded MLS.

“When I came here to Seattle I say that I want to win every trophy,” captain Nicolás Lodeiro said. “This year we have a great opportunity.” Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer walks on the field before a CONCACAF Champions League soccer match against Olimpia, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Seattle. The match ended with a 2-2 tie for a 4-4 aggregate score in the two-game series; Olimpia won on penalty kicks to advance to the next round.

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle´s goals for the season had stretched beyond the borders of the league with the desire to become the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. Those hopes came HOW TO TIE A TIE an ugly end Thursday when Seattle was eliminated from Champions League competition by CD Olimpia of Honduras. The Sounders gave up a tying goal in the closing minutes and were eliminated on penalties. Seattle was the only MLS club not to advance to the quarterfinals.

Seattle will still have a chance to make a mark in the region by competing in the Campeones Cup against the champion of Mexico´s LigaMX. But ultimately Seattle wants to be the first team to repeat as league champions since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12. The Sounders nearly accomplished that feat after winning their first title in 2016, reaching the final a year later before losing to Toronto. Repeating this year would be helped by avoiding what happened at the start of the 2017 season when Seattle languished near the bottom of the Western Conference before getting hot the second half of that season.

With the new MLS playoff format that proved highly beneficial for Seattle last year, a sluggish start can be difficult to overcome.