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Seattle Sounders FC: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Oct 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after a game against the Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after a game against the Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) points out coverage as defender Joevin Jones (33) covers the far post against Real Salt Lake during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) points out coverage as defender Joevin Jones (33) covers the far post against Real Salt Lake during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Seattle Sounders defied the odds. Now can they make the MLS Cup?

Every team has a checklist at the beginning of the season, a series of goals that they are looking to achieve. Now having never been in the Seattle Sounders locker room yours truly is not sure what was actually on their checklist to start the season but pretty sure it did not include the following:

-Lose five of the first ten matches.

-Go 3-8-2 during the months of May, June, and July.

-Fire Sigi Schmid

-Get bounced out of the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals.

-Lose Clint Dempsey due to an irregular heartbeat issue

But there is one item that we can presume was on their checklist: Make the MLS Cup playoffs. Yes, despite having one of the worst records in the league for five months and firing their longtime coach the Sounders have somehow made the playoffs. The team that everyone expected to make the playoffs did make the playoffs despite having a dreadful campaign for the better part of the season. Rainbows are real and miracles do happen.

Now what can Seattle do with this second life? That seems to be the $60,000 question. For a team that entered the season with the expectation of winning the MLS Cup it does seem that burden has been lifted. Perhaps it is because they overcome so much to get here that they won’t have enough to cross the finish line. No matter what the actual reason Sounders supporters are probably hoping that other sides continue to underestimate them so that their road to the MLS Cup is that much easier.

So without further adieu let’s take a look at the three hopes and one fear of Seattle Sounders FC.

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