TUKWILA — The first “dead-rubber” week in Seattle Sounders history has been surprisingly ... normal. There have definitely been some changes — the team has no plans to do a collective video session about the last game against Sporting KC the way they normally would and there’s less focus on tactics — but the mood was generally positive with players seeming to enjoy themselves just as much as ever.
The decision by the coaching staff to focus on mini-games seems to be working as planned.
“Today’s training was tailor-made for competition, trying to up the level of intensity and competitiveness,” Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei told reporters.