Pardon me while my team the Seattle Sounders implodes

As I watched my beloved Sounders get thrashed by the Portland Timbers FC, I kept asking myself the same question that has been plaguing me since the beginning of this season. Why are we struggling so much?

I look at our roster and I see talent, a combination of veterans and youth, and players who have all at one time or another shown the fire and fierceness expected when you play for the rave green and blue.

But this whole season has been marred with incompleteness and an inability to get any traction forward. Yes, there have been some frustrating calls, things that have not gone our way, but that is soccer, and that is absolutely MLS. Last season we were plagued with injuries, suspensions and International call-ups.

This year, we’ve seen less of Clint Dempsey due to Copa America, and still no Roman Torres, but Sigi should be able to plan for that. So what, exactly, has been ailing the Sounders, a consistently winning team? Hint: it’s not just Nelson Valdez, although watching him blast a ball into orbit from about ten yards in front of the net was incredibly painful.