SEATTLE — By his own admission, Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer leans a bit conservative in his lineups, who tends to err on the side of experienced veterans. But like a poker player on a good run, sometimes you have to ride the hot hand.
Especially when you get dealt pocket rockets (two aces, for the less degenerate among us).
Apropos of rockets, Josh Atencio isn’t new to the Sounders fanbase, having raised eyebrows back in 2021 with a string of promising performances before injuries derailed his progression. But with João Paulo held out for precautionary reasons, Atencio got another opportunity in midfield to show he’s ready for prime time.