No one around the Seattle Sounders organization is satisfied with the season up to this point.
But after consecutive shutouts – including their first win – there’s at least a sense that the situation is improving.
READ: Martins "a real trooper" in Seattle's first win of the year
“It was more fun, more smiley faces,” Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning told reporters after Monday’s training session. “You feel that a lot of pressure is now away from the team. Still the situation is not good. We all know this. But we did the first step. Now we have to continue and make the next step.”
Although the Sounders still remain tied for the fewest points in the league and have scored fewer goals than all but one team, their defense has remained solid.
With five goals allowed in six matches, only the LA Galaxy have been more stingy. In fact, Seattle’s goals-against average of .83 is a slight improvement than last year’s .97 which was good for second-best in the league.
READ: Sounders DP Martins ready to prove his worth
Gspurning has been a major reason why. A week after recording his first shutout of the season without having to make a single save, he made three against the Colorado Rapids, including two in stoppage time. He also was aided by the woodwork, which the Rapids hit three times.
“I knew it was coming,” Gspurning said of the Rapids’ late flurry. “For sure, you have to be aware. They put all the pressure on us they could. It helps a lot of if you have the experience to stay calm and know you have to fight until the last whistle. Everbody knew to keep working until final whistle because losing two points again would be a really bad situation.”
