The MLS playoffs are all about peaking at the right time. The Seattle Sounders trophy case is brimming with trophies from teams that thrived in crucial moments, often after or during lackluster regular seasons. After posting a league-best 11-2-2 in their last 15 games and winning four of their last five games, including a convincing 3-0 win on Wednesday, they could be ready to do it again. Their penultimate opponent in the regular season is the Colorado Rapids, whose form is going in the opposite direction with three defeats in four games. Let’s take a look at why the Sounders continue to improve and how they can overcome a struggling opponent.

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The Sounders were by no means perfect down the stretch. Even against Vancouver in the middle of the week, defensive mistakes on a goal threatened to decide the game. The concept of a “trap game” is controversial in a league with the parity of MLS, but the Sounders appear prone to low-energy atmospheres this season. Two weeks ago, when we faced the hapless San Jose Earthquakes with a sparse home crowd and tired legs, Seattle’s lack of concentration gave us sequences like this, best suited to a Yakety Sax soundtrack:

The good news is that there are no more trap games on the schedule. By the end of the season, Seattle will be facing playoff-caliber opponents and spirits are expected to be high. Tired legs will still be a factor, but concentration should no longer be a problem.

Unfortunately, the end of the season also means that time is running out for a potential breakthrough for Pedro de la Vega. Hitting de la Vega has always been his decision in the final third. In sequences like this, Pedro’s magnetism draws four defenders into his immediate vicinity, but his tunnel vision lets him down and he misses the opportunity for a pass to Rothrock:

It looks more and more like his breakthrough will have to wait until next season. More than anything, Pepo seems to be trying too hard to make up for lost time through poorly chosen shots, trying to play the role of hero rather than a member of the team’s supporting cast:

Luckily for the Sounders, they’re looking less and less like a team that needs Pedro’s heroics to beat their Western Conference opponents. Instead, de la Vega can focus on being just one of three effective winger options in the Sounders’ arsenal.

It’s been an awfully long time since Seattle was able to provide consistent threat on both wings at the same time. Jordan Morris was top XI caliber on the wing, but always played the position as a winger intent on getting into the penalty area. Cristian Roldan’s wing role was to control possession from the right half-space, relying on an overlapping full-back to provide width. Last season, Léo Chú made a breakthrough, but opposing defenses figured out his only trick at the end of the year and his productivity waned. But times are changing. The Sounders have true wingers on both wings that opposing defenses can’t handle.

On the left wing, 5’1″ Paul Rothrock should have no business winning a hopeful long ball against 6’1″ Griffin Dorsey, who has a better angle to assess that pass and intervene:

But Rothrock reacts quicker, uses his strength to outbox Dorsey and beats him to Morris on a free cross. Pieces like this have made Rothrock indispensable. His instincts and determination are top notch.

On the right, Georgi Minoungou had the Whitecaps defenders skating all night:

If Minoungou wants to stay one step ahead, he needs to diversify his repertoire. This also includes going directly towards the goalkeeper at times and improving your passing game. Still, his early returns are exciting. While his dribbling skills were much advertised when he signed with the first team, his strength and balance when winning 50-50 balls or holding off a defender on his back is a pleasant surprise.

With Rothrock, Minoungou and de la Vega, the Sounders have three wingers capable of keeping the ball isolated and regularly beating defenders off the dribble while spreading the field wide without the need for an overlapping fullback. The Sounders have expected something even remotely resembling productivity from their wingers. Clubs like LAFC have overwhelmed Morris with quick, physical center backs and challenged Seattle to beat them from long range. While the Sounders may not have the top wing talent of a club like the Galaxy, they might have just enough to turn the tide against their most challenging opponents.