Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer knows Saturday's upcoming match against Portland might have more than just a rivalry at stake. The Sounders may irreparably harm their playoff chances if they can't manage a home victory against the Timbers given how the playoff math is shaping up.
Piling on the usual intrigue surrounding any Sounders match against rival Portland is that this next game could determine the season.
Few players or coaches would admit to a Major League Soccer season being over by July 1, but the Sounders know their math and see the numbers in the standings aren’t adding up well for them.