Things we've learned about the Sounders after 5 games

What We Have Learned About the Sounders after 5 Matches

It is still early in the Major League Soccer season and after 5 matches the Sounders have been solid with 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Seattle sits in 3rd place in the Western Conference standings with 10 points and they are coming off a nice win in their last match keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.

Yeah, it is early in the season, but here are 5 things were have learned from the Sounders after 5 matches.

1. The Seattle defense has been solid - many people, including me, had worries about the Sounders' defense heading into the season since they lost 2 starting defenders and legendary goalie Kasey Keller. However, their defense has been stellar so far this season only conceding 2 goals in their first 5 matches. New starting G Michael Gspurning has 3 clean sheets so far this season and 2 in the last 2 matches.

2. The offense has struggled - The defense was the main issue heading into the season, but after 5 games it is the Sounders' offense that is struggling. Seattle only has 6 goals in their first 5 games and 3 of those goals came in the season opening win over Toronto FC.

3. Estrada needs help - I mentioned before that the Sounders' offense has struggled and while that is the case for the most part that is not the case for David Estrada. Estrada has 4 of the 6 goals for the Sounders so far this season and since teams will key on him he will need help as the season progresses.

4. The Sounders have been resilient - Seattle is off to their best start ever and while their offense has struggled their D has played well and the Sounders are 3-1-1 even without several key players. Seattle has lost Mauro Rosales and Adam Johansson for all but 1 match, Eddie Johnson has missed 3 matches, and Brad Evans and Alvaro Fernandez have missed one match. When these key Sounders get healthy they will be much tougher to beat and their offense should improve.

5. There is no place like home - Like the last couple seasons Seattle is one of the toughest places to win at home. Besides their 1-0 loss to San Jose at home the Sounders have won their 3 other home matches by a combined score of 6-1. So far on their home pitch this season the Sounders are 3-1 and they have scored 6 goals and only conceded 2.

Next Up: On April 28th the Sounders head East to play the Chicago Fire in the only match up between the 2 non-conference teams this season.