Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Gonzalo Pineda shares his coaching philosophy

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Sep 10

First #Sounders open practice since winning #leaguescup2025

Jordan Morris looks to be full in training today, which is surprising. Albert Rusnák is also a full participant as it was expected this week.

While Obed Vargas, Reed Baker-Whiting and Snyder Brunell all back NT play.

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Jeremiah Oshan @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com · Sep 2

Just as a general reminder, MLS Commissioner Don Garber has the authority to suspend Luis Suarez. If he escapes MLS punishment, it’s because MLS chose that path.

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Jeremiah Oshan @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com · Aug 29

Great doing this with @elrolonw.bsky.social

Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Aug 29

Few MLS coaches have had more success against Leo Messi’s Inter Miami than Gonzalo Pineda. Ahead of Sunday’s final, we caught up with the former assistant to talk to him about the Sounders, Miami, his journey and his coaching philosophy. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/08/gonz...

Former Sounders assistant is hoping to return to MLS.

Sergio Busquets punches Obed Vargas and starts fight after Sounders 3-0 win over Inter Miami

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Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Sep 1

Did you really think @elrolonw.bsky.social woukd bring receipts?!? youtu.be/t9vqubUp3Ok?...

Press Conference: Craig Waibel on the state of the roster

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Noah Riffe @ijusttake.photos · Sep 1

I was told by someone in the industry that Seattle isn’t a big enough soccer market and that commercially shows and blogs related to the Sounders aren’t a safe investment.

Lobbing Scorchers in 3 Days:
🎟️ $8k in Tickets Sold
👀 1M Views on Socials

I think Seattle might be a big market.

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Aug 25

*Credit

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Aug 25

Make sure to give my guy @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com for asking all the tough questions during yesterday's press conference with Craig Waibel.

I am not sure if the responses from the #Sounders GM were satisfactory but the necessary questions were asked by JO 🙌

youtu.be/saEZlJ9Isfs?...

YouTube video by Seattle Sounders FC

Frustrated about no signings in summer? So are we

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Aug 23

One of my favorite episodes this year right here 👇👇👇🔥🔥🔥

@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com & I focused completely on the #Sounders inability to sign a player during the summer transfer window.

www.sounderatheart.com/2025/08/frus...

Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Aug 22

If you’d rather consume our frustration in audio form, @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com and @elrolonw.bsky.social have you covered. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/08/frus...

Jeremiah and Niko share their thoughts on a disappointing summer transfer window.

Understanding Sounders' injury situation

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Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Aug 16

We got some notable news around injuries this week. @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com and @elrolonw.bsky.social help explain what’s going on. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/08/unde...

Stefan Frei could be starting this week, but that’s not the end of this dicussion.

This is shaping up as another disappointing transfer window by @nosaudietis

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Jeremiah Oshan @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com · Aug 11

I recorded a podcast with @elrolonw.bsky.social on Saturday. We talked mostly about what we think the Sounders are going to do during the transfer window. Brace yourself… zencastr.com/z/rXP4GjiO

The Sounders are playing great, scoring goals for fun and getting contributions from players up and down the roster. But they’ve also run straight into another injury crisis. Although the transfer win...

zencastr.com

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Aug 13

Brian Schmetzer on @933kjr.bsky.social just confirmed that Albert Rusnák could be out 3-4 weeks as I mentioned during "What we learned this week" with @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com on Saturday.

The #Sounders head coach also mentioned that Ryan Kent could be out a total 12 weeks 🤯

That's the season

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Aug 5

Digging more into the #Sounders ' next match against Xolos de Tijuana, I found this interesting nugget of information.

During the 2013 season, Seattle’s CB Yeimar Gómez Andrade and now Tijuana head coach Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu were teammates at Rosario Central in Argentina 🇦🇷

#LeaguesCup

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Jackson Felts @jacksononradio.bsky.social · Jul 31

Get ready for Sounders Leagues Cup action tonight against Cruz Azul with last night's show on KJR, featuring Tommy Dutra, @elrolonw.bsky.social and @ari.lobbingscorchers.com.

Download and listen here, or get Sounders Weekly on any podcast platform: www.iheart.com/podcast/59-s...

Sounders Weekly 7-30: Tommy Dutra, Niko Moreno, Ari Liljenwall - Sounders Weekly & Postgame Shows | iHeart

<p>Tonight on Sounders Weekly, Jackson Felts catches up with goalkeeping coach Tommy Dutra, then gets the scoop on Leagues Cup with Niko Moreno, and talks all things MLS with Ari Liljenwall.</p><p>See...

www.iheart.com

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Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Aug 2

It may not have been the most important match in Sounders history, but it may have been the most impressive performance. @elrolonw.bsky.social and @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com discuss, as well as previewing @goballardfc.bsky.social with James Riley. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/08/the-...

The greatest performance in Sounders history?

Niko and Jeremiah try to articulate what we saw against Cruz Azul.

SATURDAY KICKOFF: Sounders make international headlines with Cruz Azul beatdown!

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Reposted by Niko Moreno

Ari Liljenwall @ari.lobbingscorchers.com · Aug 2

PROGRAMMING ALERT: With Seattle playing tomorrow @elrolonw.bsky.social and I are going to lay down a special Saturday edition of LS Kickoff, come hang out at normal time, we'll be getting Niko's takes on the 7-0 beatdown of Cruz Azul and lineup projecting for Santos!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV5l...

YouTube video by Lobbing Scorchers

www.youtube.com

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@OSGNelson @osgnelson.bsky.social · Aug 2

The best of @soccerdownhere.bsky.social AM is up - "Off The Woodwork" podcast section at 929thegame.com + @audacyinc.bsky.social App

Apple TV's Gio Savarese on League's Cup

@elrolonw.bsky.social on transfers+ #ATLUTD

Plus, El Farolito's story in NPSL's title game

go.audacy.com/SncFsxmwvVb

go.audacy.com

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Jeremiah Oshan @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com · Jul 30

Something @elrolonw.bsky.social alluded to in his question to Albert Rusnák today was how much more aggressive he seems this year. A couple stats to illustrate (all per 90 via @fbref.com):

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Jul 24

The #Sounders will practice and travel to Atlanta today.

One absence that caught my eye so far is Paul Rothrock, as I reported yesterday, he fell and seemed to have injured his wrist. I also don't see Yeimar but perhaps he is doing some work inside.

We'll ask Brian Schmetzer after training.

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Noah Riffe @ijusttake.photos · Jul 22

And on the 3rd day god said, let there be an intact ligament!

Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Jul 22

Schmetzer on João Paulo's surgery:

"When they went in there his ACL was intact. And so they did a clean up of the knee, there was some meniscus damage, there were some other things but they basically did a clean up and so we will have JP back this season.

#Sounders

youtu.be/gqnJcC72wc8?...

Brian Schmetzer had good news on the injury front, discussed Pedro's success and options at midfield

Brian Schmetzer had good news on the injury front, discussed Pedro's success and options at midfield

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Niko Moreno @elrolonw.bsky.social · Jul 22

Schmetzer on João Paulo's surgery:

"When they went in there his ACL was intact. And so they did a clean up of the knee, there was some meniscus damage, there were some other things but they basically did a clean up and so we will have JP back this season.

#Sounders

youtu.be/gqnJcC72wc8?...

Obed Vargas would become U22 if he signs extension

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Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Jul 7

Obed Vargas is under contract for at least another year and could be the Sounders’ next U22. Following up on @andrew-wiebe.bsky.social report… www.sounderatheart.com/2025/07/obed...

Sounders have already exercised their 2026 option and are working on a two-year extension with Vargas.

Obed Vargas would become U22 if he signs extension

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Jeremiah Oshan @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com · Jul 7

There’s apparently some concern-trolling that this makes it less likely that Vargas moves to Europe. I suppose if the alternative was “sounders don’t pick up his option and allow him to walk for free” that’s true. But in a more rational world, all this does is strengthen Vargas’ salary demands.

Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Jul 7

Obed Vargas is under contract for at least another year and could be the Sounders’ next U22. Following up on @andrew-wiebe.bsky.social report… www.sounderatheart.com/2025/07/obed...

Sounders have already exercised their 2026 option and are working on a two-year extension with Vargas.

Sounders make transfer offer on Dutch youth international

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Sounder at Heart @sounderatheart.com · Jul 4

According to @elrolonw.bsky.social, Sounders have placed a bid on Noah Ohio. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/07/soun...

Noah Ohio is a 22-year-old forward who has been productive in limited minutes around Europe.