Did Seattle buy into the hype of Messi and Miami? | OneFootball

Brian Schmetzer reported that they recognized early in the Season that this game in Miami would be a tough match. It was, but not in ways the Sounders have been accustomed to this season. Miami took advantage of mistakes from the backline of Seattle. They were more physical and exploited the lack of experience by Seattle's younger players.

Some players performed very well. Stefan Frye made some top-notch saves and Georgi Minoungou spent the game making it look like his defender was on roller skates. Obed Vargas had some good runs and scored a goal assisted by Jordan Morris, who looked better than he had in his first 10 minutes back last game after having surgery on his shoulder.

Miami took advantage of Kim Kee-Hee having medical attention for a corner, and several missed calls by the official, either in the penalty box (De Rosario was tackled) or just outside it with an obvious shirt pull after Minoungou had beaten his defender.

Several players were given rests and either didn't start or didn't play. Alex Roldan sat out the game as his replacement, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, had his inexperience lead to multiple turnovers. Christian Roldan was subbed out in the second half. Schmetzer has been trying to find time to rest him, but there hasn't been time with the Leagues Cup, the Club World Cup and the USMNT performances filling up the MLS schedule.

After their last match, when the Sounders won the Leagues Cup final, there was a post-game spectacle mostly targeting Obed Vargas. With Suarez suspended, this game took a more cogial tone. Even after Miami took out Vargas in an attempt to send a message, the Sounders didn't buy in, but they also shied away from physical play. With all that said, it was better for the Sounders to win the cup rather than a regular-season MLS game if they had the chance.

Messi did score, and had an assist. He also hit the post after some wonderful maneuvering in the penalty area and could have scored again had Frye not made a brilliant kick save. The Sounders had their chances too, most notably when Osaze De Rosario hit the post after beating the Miami keeper.

Perhaps it was fatigue, or buying into the notion of this being a tough game, but after the Sounders scored and seemed poised to alter the game, they dropped their front press and settled in defensively, allowing Miami to run out the final 20 minutes of the match. While the Sounders made their opportunities to score, it didn't seem like they had the urgency to beat Miami away.

There were factors like playing in the heat, playing on grass, and playing against the GOAT, but the Sounders beat themselves with mistakes and inexperience. It was odd when Seattle dropped its pressure, just like it seems odd to call into question if the Sounders bought into the hype of Miami after beating them soundly in their previous matchup in Seattle.