Lobbing Scorchers

A week after we were practically giving the season a eulogy, the Sounders are in the playoffs. Albert Rusnák scored in the opening minute, Sebastián Gómez found the net again, and Andrew Thomas had a monster game as Seattle held on late to seal a 2-1 season-saving Decision Day victory over LAFC at Lumen Field. We break down the performance, then look at what we know about Jordan Morris’ quad injury, which forced him out in the first half. Then we each bring three reasons to believe Seattle can make a playoff run and three reasons to be skeptical. How much did Saturday change what we trust about this team? Has Gómez earned a playoff start? And how different does Seattle look if it has to chase the game? We close with a first look at Real Salt Lake, what it’ll take to get through the Wild Card and how far we think Seattle can go.☕️ Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff is presented by QED Coffee, a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeOTHER SPONSORSHaxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

We react and take calls following Seattle's Decision Day clash vs. LAFC at Lumen Field.Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

We’re teaming up with our friends at Happy Foot Sad Foot, the LAFC podcast, for a special crossover episode ahead of Saturday’s Sounders-LAFC Decision Day showdown.Both teams entered 2026 with high expectations. Both have given their supporters plenty of reasons to lose their minds. So instead of your typical match preview, we’re asking a much more important question: Which fanbase has had it worse? Ari Liljenwall and Noah Riffe joined Darren Miller from Happy Foot Sad Foot for a head-to-head misery competition, comparing Seattle and LAFC across categories like disappointing performances, humiliating defeats, organizational dysfunction, and reasons for optimism (or a complete lack thereof).Huge thanks to the Happy Foot Sad Foot crew for having us on! They’re the best podcast covering LAFC, so check out their show and subscribe to their channels.Find Happy Foot Sad Foot: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyFootSadFoot

Is it time to officially stick a fork in the 2026 Seattle Sounders? After a humiliating 5-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps, we break down a disastrous performance that felt like the final nail in the coffin for Seattle's hopes of contending for MLS Cup. We discuss what went wrong in Vancouver, why this Sounders team seems to lack the competitive mentality of past championship-caliber squads, and whether the club has built a roster with too many nice guys and not enough dogs. With the playoffs still mathematically possible, is there any reason to believe this team can make a run? Or is it time to say goodbye to 2026 and turn our attention to the upcoming Sprint Season and what needs to change for the Sounders to become legitimate contenders again?Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

We react and take calls following Seattle's Matchday 33 clash vs. Houston Dynamo FC.Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

After a spectacular Dejan Joveljić golazo and a two-goal lead turned into a maddening 2-2 draw at San Diego FC, we’re weighing the reasons for optimism and pessimism regarding Seattle’s MLS Cup chances. Have the Sounders shown enough to make us believe, and who in the Western Conference should they actually fear? Plus, we unpack the controversial penalty rebound, discuss whether Paul Arriola and Sebastian Gomez need to start, and assess the center-back situation after another Yeimar injury. Then we look ahead to Wednesday’s clash with Houston Dynamo FC.Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

We react and take calls following Seattle's Matchday 32 clash at San Diego FC. Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!

After some unfortunate tech difficulties derailed our last attempt, Apple TV analyst Brian Dunseth joins Ari Liljenwall for a national perspective on Seattle’s up-and-down season. How do the Sounders look in MLS? Has their recent resurgence demonstrated they’re legitimate contenders, or do their lingering inconsistencies point to deeper concerns? Dunny weighs in on Dejan Joveljić’s impact, Brian Schmetzer’s squad and how Seattle stacks up against the Western Conference’s top teams. We’ll also look ahead to Saturday’s road matchup against San Diego FC, which Dunseth will be calling on Apple TV. What challenges await Seattle at Snapdragon Stadium, and what will it take for the Sounders to secure a crucial result?Subscribe to the NEW Lobbing Scorchers Blog: www.lobbingscorchers.comFollow Lobbing Scorchers:YouTubeInstagramBlueskyTikTokFacebookAri LiljenwallNoah RiffeSPONSORSQED Coffee - a Seattle-based roaster, coffee shop, and coffee subscription service. Visit them in person at one of the three Seattle locations or online and use code ‘LS74’ for 25% off across the site.Haxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE hot sauce with purchase!Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!