Seattle’s slow start has nothing on Columbus’ 13-game winless streak, or even its run of nine losses in 11 matches last summer. This upcoming stretch of three home matches in four games, though, feels like a fork in the road of this Sounders season.
On Saturday afternoon at CenturyLink Field, the visiting Columbus Crew brings with it fading reminders of the 2008 MLS Cup championship won under then-coach Sigi Schmid.
That title was both vindication for Schmid, who had been fired by his hometown L.A. Galaxy a few years earlier, and a further burnishing of credentials he would use to land the expansion Seattle Sounders gig the following offseason.