The Seattle Sounders will face defending USL-Championship title holders Phoenix Rising in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday. To help us get a better understanding of the opponent, we reached out to Backheeled’s Joe Lowery, who also happens to be the color commentator on Phoenix Rising broadcasts.

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Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Look, we're not naive. We understand that one win -- no matter how good it felt -- doesn't fix every problem the Sounders have, but after failing to beat the Timbers in six straight meetings does feel awfully good and will hopefully provide some much-needed momentum.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

It's been awhile since we did a "normal" episode and, frankly, this is not when we get back to it. Jeremiah is joined by Mark Kastner this week and they touch on quite a few subjects. They briefly discuss the LA Galaxy game, give their thoughts on Andrew Thomas' breakout performance and look ahead to the Timbers game on Sunday. Then they close it out by emptying the mailbag that had been starting to get a little full.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The Seattle Sounders didn't exactly put their best foot forward in their U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match against Louisville City, but they did advance. In the process, Andrew Thomas may have earned himself a permanent place in Sounders Open Cup lore with his shootout performance in which he saved three shots and then slammed home the game-winner himself.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

To get us ready for the Sounders game against Louisville City in the U.S. Open Cup we have a packed show. First, Vince from Scuffed gives us a bit of a scouting report. In the second segment, we catch up with former Sounders Academy and Tacoma Defiance player Ray Serrano, who's enjoying a bit of a breakout season with Louisville City.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The LA Galaxy will come to Lumen Field in largely the same position they were in the last time these two teams faced about a month ago. The Galaxy are still near the top of the Western Conference, boosted by an offense that has scored 21 goals in 10 matches. To help us get a better understanding of them is resident Galaxy expert Ryan Rosenblatt.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Will Bruin is back with us to look back on the massive win over the Philadelphia Union along with some insight into the upcoming match against the LA Galaxy.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

Jason Anderson, formerly of Black and Red United but current with Pro Soccer Wire, joined us to give us some insight into D.C. United, a team that appears to be a lot better than their record would indicate. Not only do they have one of the league's top scorers in Christian Benteke, but they also have the most active defense. Should be interesting!

Sponsors

Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

The mailbag was not full of rainbows and unicorns this week, but that didn't stop Jeremiah and Aaron from answering questions to the best of their abilities.

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Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/

With their 2-0 loss to the Whitecaps, the Sounders are officially off to their worst-ever start. They’ve never before failed to win at least two of their first eight games and their six points are now two fewer than the eight they had at this point in 2018.

Their latest loss is probably their worst of the season. Not only was it their first multi-goal loss, but it also showcased some shocking mistakes and even more surprising loss of composure. On top of all that, felt an awful like a must-win game and yet, it was maybe their worst performance of the season.

Sponsors

Full Pull Wines

Nos Audietis is the flagship podcast for Sounder at Heart, which became a reader-supported website on Aug. 21. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber, learn more: https://www.sounderatheart.com/about/

You can also support the show by checking out our line of merch including every past YachtCon design and our latest skull-and-crossbones logo.

"Diversions" audio provided by Sounder at Heart subscriber Lars; find more of their music: https://despatchesfromseattle.com/