The Seattle Sounders are the hottest team in Major League Soccer right now, picking up an incredible 32 points in the last 13 games -- a rate of 2.46 points per game. Having already clinched a playoff berth the week before, the Sounders jumped out to an early two goal lead against Chivas USA on Friday, cruising to a 2-1 win at Qwest Field.
This week, the Sounders wrap up their regular season in Houston against the Dynamo. Before that, they'll take on Saprissa in the final game of the CONCACAF Champions League at Qwest Field.
Sounder At Heart's Dave Clark had a look back at the Chivas USA game, noting the positive signs for the Sounders discovered during their torrid late-season run.
Just about everywhere you look there are positive signs for the Sounders. Their 48 points eclipses their total from a year ago, and at least temporarily, puts them in tie for the fourth most points in MLS. Those points also tie them with the Chicago Fire for most points ever by a second-year expansion franchise. (That obviously ignores that the Fire entered a league that was just two years old, played 32 matches and won three matches via shootout, giving them six more points than they would have otherwise received.)
The good news doesn't end on the pitcher, either. The Sounders announced attendance of 36,356 boosts their season average to 36,173, shattering the MLS record they set last season.
The Sounders are only playing for playoff positioning at this point and the win over Chivas USA actually hurt their chances of winning the MLS Cup, says Sounder At Heart's sidereal.
With the win, the Sounders' odds of winning the Cup actually dropped - from 12.7% to 11.9%. This is a consequence of the screwed up MLS playoff system, where winning means the Sounders earn the right to face LA Galaxy instead of Columbus. But I don't think anyone will begrudge a percentage point here or there in exchange for a happy post-victory weekend.
Friday's game also marked the final regular-season home game at Qwest Field. The fans -- and the play of the Sounders -- has made Qwest an intimidating place for visitors to play. The Sounders thanked the fans in a video message that the Seattle Times' Joshua Mayers posted on his blog this weekend.
The Sounders finish the regular season and head to the playoffs this Saturday at 1 p.m. on KONG TV. Stay tuned to our game week stream for updates, previews and more this week.