Jason Rantz: Why it’s time to start following the Seattle Sounders

Seattle fans clearly aren’t afraid to jump on the bandwagon when a local team gets hot. The last few will-they-won’t-they Mariners games saw huge crowds at Safeco, and now another local team is demanding attention.

If you haven’t been tuning in yet, KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz says it’s about time you start paying attention to the Seattle Sounders.

The team currently leads the league in points and has already secured a playoff spot. With four games left in the regular season, Rantz says the competition could get heated as two of the four games are against the LA Galaxy, the team that is currently tied with the Sounders in points.

The two teams are at the top of the standings in the Supporter’s Shield race. This award goes to the team that ends the season at the top of the MLS standings. The Sounders have never secured this honor, so they would love to take it home this season. Clearly, with the best record in the league, their chances look good in the postseason, as well.

If you haven’t watched soccer in the past, Rantz says don’t let that keep you away.

“I was like most people in this country up until about a year ago, I never cared about soccer. I assumed it was dull. I assumed I would be bored to tears, and then I went to my first game,” says Rantz. “It’s so much fun.”

The best way to get into it, he says, is to go to a game in person at CenturyLink.

“There is absolutely no doubt once you actually go to a Sounders game at CenturyLink Field, you feel the energy, you see the pacing of the game, and all of a sudden you’re like I’m totally a fan.”

The Sounders have two remaining games at CenturyLink in the regular season, taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. and the final game of the regular season against the LA Galaxy on Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m.

But if you’re missing the Seahawks this Sunday (they have a Monday night game next week), the Sounders play away against Colorado at noon. You can listen to the action on 97.3 KIRO FM or watch live on JOEtv channel 22/10.