An Ode to the 2020 Sounders — an the Epic Western Conference Final Comeback
Monday’s Western Conference Final was crazy. With 23 minutes remaining in the match and the Sounder down 2–0, I was lamenting my extended sports weekend as it appeared the UW and WSU football teams, Seahawks and Sounders would all be taking losses. Worse yet, the Sounders would be coming up one match short of playing in back-to-back MLS Championship games.
The Sounders had outplayed Minnesota for much of the match, however, as happens in soccer couldn’t find the back of the net while Minnesota scored goals off two magical free kicks. It felt like Minnesota was destined to move on.
Then in 20 short minutes the Sounders put together a rally for the ages and reminded me why I love this team and sports so much. 3 goals in 20 minutes doesn’t happen often. It happens less often in games as important as Conference Finals. And even less often do you see substitutes score 2 goals in a match. 2020 has been a tough year, and it can be difficult to be thankful for the good moments we have experienced. But as the Sounders prepare to win back-to-back MLS Cups and I reflect on such a fantastic comeback I wanted to share how this epic comeback was a perfect reflection of why I have enjoyed watching this Sounders team play so much during this crazy, crazy year.
1) Teamwork: Will Bruin, Brad Smith, Kelvin Leerdam and Gustav Svensson have started in the MLS Cup for the Sounders in previous seasons. However, on Monday each of these men found themselves on the bench for the start of Monday’s match. And yet despite their accolades, none of the four men whined or complained about. Instead, each man supported teammates and when called upon not only came in ready to contribute but sparked the amazing comeback. There was Will Bruin, who missed the first half of this season recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, netted the Sounders first goal just two minutes after entering the match. I then found it fascinating after the Sounders tied the match to watch Ruidiaz celebrate his game-tying goal with Will Bruin — the man he competes for playing time with. And then Gustav Svensson, a man who has started in the World Cup but came off the bench here, headed in the game winner off a corner kick. In a sport’s world where we always here about me first players (I am looking at you James Harden), the team-first mentality of the Sounders is a breath of fresh air and something I hope young people take note of.
2) Never Quit: In the 63rd minute of the match Jordan Morris left-foot blast from about 20-yards out rattled off the Minnesota United crossbar — leaving the Sounders inches away from tying the match. Then less than 5 minutes later Minnesota United buried its second goal in to take a two-goal lead, and I was sure the match was over. There was only 23 minutes left to secure two goals and it was feeling like Minnesota was destined to pull off another upset. Thankfully, this Sounders team doesn’t care about what I think, or about destiny. With the team’s back against the wall, it refused to give up and found a way to score 3 goals in 20 minutes. No one quit. No one panicked. Everyone just kept plugging away believe they would find a way; and in the process they proved impossible is not fact but an opinion. This game and this team are a reminder that if you work hard and continue to believe in yourself and your team that anything is possible.
3) Passion: The anger when a mistake is made, and a goal is given up. The excitement and pure joy when a goal is scored. The discussions that constantly take place on the field between teammates. The facial expressions of Brian Schmetzer. You can see this team fights for every inch for themselves and their teammates; and in a day and age where most people in business and sports just want to work to get paid — it is inspiring to see people who truly love what they do, and who they do it with.
I can’t wait to see this team perform one more time — but win or lose this team has helped make 2020 a little more bearable. Selfishly though, it would be a lot more enjoyable to see them hoist that cup one more time.
