Football Season Review

The Seattle Sounders would start the 2016 MLS season with high expectations, going into the year as one of the favourites to lift the title. And despite at one point looking like they wouldn’t even make it to the playoffs, they would ultimately deliver, going on to lift the MLS Cup in a historic penalty shoot-out victory over Toronto FC. After a sloppy start to the season, the Sounders would find themselves in real trouble by the summer, with just about everything going wrong for the side from Washington State. Starting in mid-May, the Sounders would only go on to win 2 of their next 12 games, with the side languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference table at the beginning of August. With the rave green’s horrendous form and dismal displays, long-time manager Sigi Schmid would be relieved of his duties, with Brian Schmeltzer taking over the reins of head coach. After July had passed, the Sounders would go on to lose just 3 of their final 20 games in the league, winning an impressive total of 13 of those clashes. Going into the playoffs in red hot form, everything seemed to fit into place at the perfect time for Seattle, who would go on to lift the cup after a tense final. As well as Schmeltzer’s fantastic work as manager, one player who has to be praised for the rave green’s efforts is Nicolas Lodeiro. The Uruguayan international only joined in the summer transfer window, and yet he still managed to record a total of 4 goals and 8 assists in a spell of brilliant performances. With Clint Dempsey’s season cut drastically short due to a heart issue, Jordan Morris has to be given a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate, providing a total of 12 goals and 4 assists in what was a MLS Rookie of the Year performance. Osvaldo Alonso was also a rock in the centre of midfield, averaging a pass success rate well above 90%, showing just why he is one of the best holding players in the league. With Andreas Ivanschitz, Erik Friberg and Tyrone Mears all potentially on the way out this winter however, Brian Schmeltzer has some rebuilding work to do, if he is to stand any chance of defending his 2016 crown.

Player of the Season: Jordan Morris