SEATTLE — No matter how you parse the numbers, the Seattle Sounders’ start has been nothing short of impressive. Their 25 points through 11 matches stand as their best-ever start, their +13 goal-difference is better than their full-season totals in every season but 2014 (+15) and 2020 (+21), and they still lead the Supporters’ Shield race by two points. They’ve done this while missing as many as five potential starters for multiple games, without even counting Jordan Morris.
I bring this all up because, once again, it’s tempting to look at the Vancouver Whitecaps’ tie in a bit of a vacuum.