Sounders Return to Training, Drop Shortened Practice Game vs. Belgium
The Seattle Sounders are back in action after 18 days away from training and games on account of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Life has changed considerably since the Sounders last dropped their last game on May 24 to LAFC to drop to 7-3-3 (6th in Western Conference), as they are sharing their Renton training facility with the Belgian Red Devils and are planning their training sessions around the national team's schedule. The Rave Green were compensated for their hospitality on Tuesday, as Belgium, fresh off a 1-1 draw against Egypt on Monday in Seattle, played a consortium of Sounders and Tacoma Defiance players in a shortened practice game.
The game featured two 30-minute halves, and the Sounders fell 2-1 in a match that former U.S. Men's National Team winger Paul Arriola described as a solid learning experience in this makeshift offseason program.
"It was a difficult game for us; we defended for a lot of the time," Arriola, 31, said. "We saw a few offensive plays that I think we did pretty well in, and then defensively it was a lot for us to handle. Typically we're a team in MLS that we kind of try and dictate the game and the tempo… yesterday we were put under a lot."
WATCH: Recapping Sounders Solid Start, And Late Troubles, Ahead of the World Cup
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 7-3-3 start to the Seattle Sounders’ 2026 campaign. The team started 6-1-1 before falling into a slump and entering the June FIFA World Cup break at sixth in the Western Conference.
The Sounders will be back in action on July 16 against their rival Portland Timbers, as Cristian Roldan (United States) is the only Seattle player rostered for the World Cup.
Sounders Hopes Dashed by Late LAFC Winner Before World Cup Break
It was all going to plan for the Seattle Sounders through eight games.
Sitting at 6-1-1 with the best defense in the league, head coach Brian Schmetzer’s squad looked to insert itself into the top of the Supporters Shield Race with a road game against flailing Sporting Kansas City and a three-match homestand coming.
Instead of thriving on the schedule, Seattle went 1-1-2 heading into a key road date with a struggling LAFC squad (7-5-3), fresh off three losses, on the final Sunday before the June World Cup Break.
Seattle managed to play a scoreless game through 85 minutes, bringing on offensive subs late to try and steal three points. But it was the home team that notched the win, as midfielder Timothy Tillman came out of nowhere late to slam a cross-goal service past Andrew Thomas for the win.
Seattle dropped to 7-3-3 and into sixth place out west with nearly two months to go before its return to play against Portland on July 16.
How Do Sounders Stack Up in MLS All-Star Voting?
The MLS All-Star Game may not be the most popular among fans for its unusual place in international football culture, but it's an easy way for teams to get publicity for their highest-performing players.
Last season, now Atletico Madrid midfielder Obed Vargas was the only Seattle Sounder to make the squad. With the Sounders off to a much better start at 7-2-3 (4th in Western Conference) this time around, Seattle is generating buzz with one day of fan voting left before the July 29 All-Star Game in Charlotte.
This season, the Sounders are tied for the fewest goals allowed in league play (10), but are tied for the fifth-fewest scored (17). As such, solid offensive seasons for Paul Rothrock (5 G+A), Albert Rusnak (6 G+A) and Jesus Ferreira (5 G+A) simply don't stack up with the rest of a league that is oversaturated with ridiculous scoring lines this season. Instead, look for the pieces that are powering the elite defense performance to get some love in Charlotte.
Keeper Andrew Thomas, USMNT midfield prospect Cristian Roldan, center back Jackson Ragen, right back Alex Roldan and left back Nouhou were all top-five in fan voting at their respective positions as of May 18, according to MLS. The voting process will take fan, media and player votes into account for 11 of the players, while Charlotte coach Dean Smith will select 13 and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will pick the remaining two All-Stars.
Sounders’ Home Unbeaten Streak Ends at 22, Pec Runs Riot for Galaxy
The Seattle Sounders had been through the wringer in a three-game week, but were facing an LA Galaxy team coming off a tough loss to Kansas City to close the stretch Saturday. Seattle, on the other hand, was riding high with a win over the top-ranked San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, and set their lineup to rotate against the 11th-place Galaxy.
Unfortunately for Seattle, LA found its footing in this one, as star winger Gabriel Pec had a goal and an assist in transition late to bury the Sounders in a 2-0 shocker. The loss meant the end of a 22-game home unbeaten run dating back to last summer against European champion Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup.
Seattle, as it has for the past few matches, spent plenty of time in LA's box with 30 touches in the 18, but couldn't cash in on 1.4 expected goals on mostly half-chances. The Sounders also took 15 shots and got five on frame with 58% possession, but the Galaxy's counterattacks late buried Seattle as LA generated 1.7 xG on nine shots.
Sounders Earn Second Clean Sheet, Notch Road Win over St. Louis
A night full of pressing left both sides tired, but the Seattle Sounders prevailed 1-0 over host St. Louis City on Saturday night thanks to an early second-half goal from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. It was the first road win of the season for the Sounders (2-1-0 W-L-D), who warded off plenty of late chances from City (0-2-1) in front of a rowdy home crowd at Energizer Park.
Keeper Andrew Thomas earned that clean sheet, picking up five saves while Sounders defenders escorted five shots away on their own. Paul Arriola got his first extended run of the season, while veteran defensive pieces like Cristian Roldan and Jackson Ragen shined to hold St. Louis to a goose egg.
While points on the road are something to celebrate, as the Sounders check off game two of five consecutive MLS fixtures on the road while Lumen Field undergoes World Cup alterations, it wasn't all good.
Sounders Split Friendlies in Spain as De Rosario Shines; Backline Injuries Pile Up
The Seattle Sounders have plenty to sort out in the way of getting their lineup ready for Feb. 22's MLS opener against Colorado. The team took steps toward answering some questions on Thursday, wrapping up their multi-week trip to Portugal and Spain with a pair of friendlies in Marbella, Spain.
Seattle claimed the first game against Swedish side Hammarby IF 3-1, thanks to an impressive brace from Osaze De Rosario and a score from Jesús Ferreira. The latter contest, featuring mostly young or reserve talent, didn't go so well as the Sounders lost 3-0 to Ukrainian side FC Metalist 1925.
Here are some quick storylines to come out of the team's final few days in Spain.
Sounders Finalize Club Options, Leyva Possibly on the Move
The Seattle Sounders have 22 players rostered after deciding on their club options for the 2026 season.
WATCH: Keys to Success for Sounders in Playoff Matchup with Minnesota
The No. 5 Sounders will take on No. 4 Minnesota United in Game 1 of a best-of-three first on Monday night in Minnesota. Getting an opening game win will be crucial for a chance to close things out at home, but how can Seattle break down a team that swept it in the regular season?
Preview: Sounders Draw Defensive-Minded Minnesota in First Round
The Seattle Sounders will take on Minnesota United in a best-of-three first round series starting on October 27. Who has the edge kicking off the MLS Playoffs?
de la Vega Suffers Serious Injury as Sounders Down NYCFC on Decision Day
The Seattle Sounders beat NYCFC 2-1 on Saturday night, but lost Leagues Cup MVP Pedro de la Vega to an injury that saw him get carted off the field in New York.
WATCH: How Serious Should Fifth Seed-Locked Sounders Take Decision Day vs. NYCFC?
The Seattle Sounders will be the MLS Western Conference's fifth seed regardless of the outcome of their regular season finale against New York City FC on Saturday, prompting "rest or rust" discussions within the coaching staff.
Sounders Aim to Stave Off Playoff-Hungry Timbers in Heated PNW Clash
The Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers will renew their rivalry in the Emerald City on Saturday night as Portland trails Seattle by just two points in the Western Conference late in the MLS season.
Sounders Foiled at the Death in Austin, Post-Leagues Cup Slide Continues
The Seattle Sounders lost a heartbreaker against Austin FC on Sunday night as CJ Fodrey found Myrto Uzuni to give Austin a 2-1 win in the 96th minute.
Sounders Return to Play Hungry Despite Leagues Cup Win
The Sounders will get back to MLS play on Saturday against a familiar foe in the LA Galaxy, 13 days after hoisting the Leagues Cup trophy in a 3-0 win over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and ready to make an MLS title run.
“Pacific Northwest Grit”: Sounders Shut Down Messi, Inter Miami For First Leagues Cup Title
The Seattle Sounders took down Inter Miami's star-studded crew in a 3-0 Leagues Cup Final win on Sunday night. The win marked Seattle's first title in the new tournament.
Preview: Sounders Seek Leagues Cup Title vs. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Sunday's matchup with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Inter Miami has already sold 50,000 tickets as the Seattle Sounders prepare for one of their biggest matches ever with a Leagues Cup trophy on the line.
Player Ratings: How Did Sounders Perform in 3-0 Loss to San Diego FC?
Seattle got dominated by MLS’s newest franchise in an ugly showing on Saturday, continuing to struggle in the early stages of the season. How did each player fare in the defeat?
Player Ratings: How Did Sounders Perform in 1-1 Draw vs. Earthquakes?
A lack of offense continues to be problematic for the Sounders, but they did salvage another draw against a familiar opponent on Saturday night.
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