The Seattle Sounders have had incredibly successful mid-season signings over the last couple years. In 2016, Nicolás Lodeiro burst onto the scene to win MLS Newcomer of the Year en route to helping Seattle lift its first MLS Cup trophy. Last year, Kelvin Leerdam and Víctor Rodríguez had instant impacts as well, spurring a great second-half run and leading the Sounders back to MLS Cup. And in 2018, Raúl Ruidíaz has been as good as advertised.
In the 19 MLS matches before Ruidíaz started his first game on July 25 at San Jose, the Sounders had won just five times.