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# Kickoff: Should we believe in this team?
- URL: https://lobbingscorchers.com/blog/kickoff-should-we-believe-in-this-team/
- Published: 2026-10-26T14:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T18:02:26.000Z
- Description: Seattle let a two-goal lead slip in San Diego. Ari Liljenwall and Jackson Felts on Seattle's MLS Cup case, the best starting XI and Wednesday’s Houston matchup. New Kickoff every Monday.
- Author: Ari Liljenwall
- Tags: Kickoff, podcast, Lobbing Scorchers, Seattle Sounders

**A spectacular Dejan Joveljić golazo wasn’t enough as Seattle squandered a two-goal lead in a frustrating 2-2 draw at San Diego FC.**

The Sounders have earned renewed interest, but have they earned our trust?

On this week’s episode, Ari Liljenwall and Jackson Felts weigh the reasons for optimism and pessimism about Seattle’s MLS Cup chances. With one loss in their last 12 matches, the Sounders are competing and scoring goals. But seven draws in that stretch show that they're struggling to turn these performances into wins. How does Seattle stack up against the rest of the Western Conference, and who should they actually fear?

We also unpack the controversial penalty rebound in San Diego and discuss why Joveljić’s outrageous finish shouldn’t end the conversation about getting him better service.

Plus, has Sebastian Gomez made himself impossible to leave out? We debate whether Gomez, Paul Arriola or both should start, assess the center-back options following another Yeimar injury, and preview Wednesday’s home matchup with Houston Dynamo FC.

## Watch

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Kickoff streams live every Monday at 8am Pacific on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@lobbingScorchers?ref=lobbingscorchers.com) and lands on [Apple Podcasts](https://lobbing-scorchers.com/applepodcasts?ref=lobbingscorchers.com) and [Spotify](https://lobbing-scorchers.com/spotify?ref=lobbingscorchers.com) the same morning. 

Previous episode: [Kickoff: Did the Seattle Sounders Undo All Their Progress? ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL%5FNmMmmVLE&t=806s&ref=lobbingscorchers.com)

Missed the post-match show? [Fans react to Seattle Sounders at San Diego FC!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-cPpJMj0OI&t=2447s&ref=lobbingscorchers.com)