Seattle Sounders 2-0 Real Salt Lake · MLS regular season · Lumen Field, Sept. 23 · Goals: Danny Musovski 48', Albert Rusnák 73' · Seattle now 10th in the West on 32 points.

Finally, a win! After five straight draws and 13 MLS matches without a victory, Seattle broke through behind second-half goals from Musovski and Rusnák. We discuss a result that was equal parts relief and restraint: Enjoy ending the streak, but nobody is declaring the Sounders fully out of the woods after beating a struggling RSL side.

Moose is loose. With Joveljić away on international duty, Tribe admitted he was worried about Seattle's attack without their starting No. 9. Musovski's clinical opener didn't erase that concern entirely, but it gave everyone a little more confidence that Seattle can survive these next couple games without Joveljić.

Andrew Thomas changed the game. Several callers came back to the sequence immediately before Musovski's opener. RSL's Sergi Solans got through one-on-one in the 47th minute, but Thomas got big and made the save. Seattle scored barely a minute later. Instead of chasing the game, the Sounders suddenly had control of it.

The kids keep making their case. Tribe was especially impressed by Stuart Hawkins, arguing that the young center back deserves minutes even as Seattle's veteran defenders return. Sebastian Gomez earned plenty of love, too, with callers praising the young winger's willingness to run at defenders and create danger one-v-one.

Now do it again. Hunch summed up the prevailing mood best: Seattle accomplished “objective number one,” but the next two home games will tell us much more. The win moved the Sounders level on points with Portland for the West's final playoff spot, with Seattle holding a game in hand.

The take that's right

Hunch has it right: This win mattered, but its value depends on what Seattle does next. Ending a 13-match winless streak was important both psychologically and in the standings, and winning without Joveljić makes it even more encouraging. But RSL came to Lumen Field on a 12-match winless run of their own. The Sounders have been handed three straight home games against teams below them in the Western Conference table. They got the first one. If this is actually the start of a late playoff push, Minnesota and Sporting Kansas City are where they have to prove it.

What it means for Minnesota United

Next up: Minnesota United, Saturday | 5:30 PM PT at Lumen Field.

Seattle is suddenly unbeaten in six and Jordan Morris looked healthy enough to contribute off the bench Wednesday, but Joveljić remains away with Serbia. The biggest thing to watch is whether the second-half attacking urgency carries over. One win ended the streak, stacking another could make this homestand feel like an actual turning point.

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