There were so many moments when this season could have turned in such a different direction. Players, coaches and pundits have often pointed to the road game against Orlando City, Brian Schmetzer’s second match in charge. You probably remember that the Sounders ended up coming from behind to win that match 3-1 on the strength of a Clint Dempsey hat trick.
The Sounders went on to win their next two as well and salvaged a tie against the Houston Dynamo on a last-minute Nicolas Lodeiro goal to run their unbeaten streak to five games under Schmetzer. The belief was back in the team.