Schmetzer Hails Seattle's 'Statement Win' as Sounders Eye Playoff Surge at Dallas
Brian Schmetzer believes the Seattle Sounders delivered a "statement win" against the New England Revolution — and now he wants his team to carry that momentum all the way to the end of the season.
Seattle made it four straight victories with a convincing 3-0 triumph at Gillette Stadium last weekend, two late goals putting the finishing touch on a performance that underlined their dramatic turnaround. It has been a remarkable upturn in form for a Sounders side that endured an 11-game winless run in MLS following the return to action after this summer's World Cup.
"This was a statement win," Schmetzer said. "New England is a really good team. They were second in the East.
"We went into their building. It wasn't just a smash-and-grab. We outplayed them. In past years, the team has come together at the end of the year, and we've made a strong run.
"Some of that experience helps me through the challenging period that we had when we were losing games.
"That group has a lot of experienced players that understand that sometimes you go through those moments where you're not doing so well, but what really matters is when it comes to the playoffs, you have to be playing at a very high level."
Playoff credentials on the line
The result has boosted Seattle's chances of reaching the postseason, with the Sounders now sitting seventh in the Western Conference and eight points clear of the 10th-place Portland Timbers.
But their playoff credentials will once again be put to the test with a trip to high-flying FC Dallas up next as the end of the campaign draws ever closer. Schmetzer said his team outplayed New England last time out, but he wants his side to continue their winning momentum to further aid their potential postseason preparations.
Arriola leading the charge
The Sounders' attacking spark has come from Paul Arriola, who has been involved in five goals in his last four appearances (two goals, three assists), including scoring and assisting once against New England at the weekend.
That is a sharp contrast to his earlier output — he had contributed to just four goals (two goals, two assists) in his previous 24 regular-season games dating back to September 2024.
Confidence built on experience
Seattle's resurgence has been underpinned by a veteran core that has been through difficult spells before. The Sounders are unbeaten in nine straight regular-season matches (W4 D5), including their current four-game winning streak, after an eight-match losing run.
They last went 10 or more games unbeaten in a single season back in 2021, when they started the campaign with 13 straight games without a loss. Schmetzer is hoping his squad can draw on that pedigree as the business end of the season approaches, with the head coach stressing that peaking at the right time is what truly matters come the playoffs.