How Hard Will Brian Schmetzer Push Sounders at the Leagues Cup?
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Cristian Roldan dribbles the ball during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 19, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Jane Gershovich / Sounders FC Communications) [/caption]
One of the key throughlines for the Seattle Sounders in 2025 has been the high number of matches they've played.
As one of the few MLS sides to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup in June, Seattle played three of the best teams the world has to offer - one of which was the European Champions in Paris Saint-Germain - while most of the rest of the league had time off. The fatigue has shown, as the Sounders have given up some sizable leads later in games this month.
With the Sounders (10-6-8) squarely in the middle of the MLS Western Conference at the No. 4 spot, Seattle has plenty to think about as its Leagues Cup run begins on Thursday night at Lumen Field. Seattle will take on the 2019 Leagues Cup champion Cruz Azul to kick off the first of three games over six days. In preparation, the Sounders called up a young prospect in Snyder Brunell on Monday to fill out what is sure to be a tough few days on the legs.
All these factors raise the question: How hard will head coach Brian Schmetzer push the Sounders in the Leagues Cup?
What's the Format?
The Leagues Cup is an annual tournament between the MLS and Liga MX. This year's edition of the competition, which began in 2019, will feature 18 teams from each league.
Each team will play three teams from the opposing league, with the top four teams advancing to semifinal knockout games. The final will be on August 31.
Long story short, Seattle is guaranteed a three-game group phase to complete in under a week against unfamiliar competition.
A Fixture Congestion Frenzy
The Club World Cup and a brutal MLS slate have caught up with the Sounders, and it shows on the field.
Star forward Jordan Morris has barely seen the field this summer and won't be back on the practice field until September. The same goes for João Paolo. Veteran keeper Stefan Frei is back to practicing here and there, but the club is taking its time with his July 6 head injury recovery. Left-wing Paul Rothrock is set to return to practice on Wednesday after having surgery for a hand injury last week.
The primary concern, however, is the guys who are still playing.
Team captain Cristian Roldan shone at the Club World Cup and has been the club's iron man, playing 23 of the squad's 24 MLS games so far. But for the past few weeks, he's been the first to comment on the fatigue level this 2025 campaign has brought.
"I feel a little bit of fatigue every now and then. There's moments in the game where you need to catch your breath," Roldan said after last Wednesday's practice. "You go through those spells throughout the MLS season every year, and so just gonna find a nice time to get a break and then I’ll feel refreshed and ready to go."
Schmetzer is well aware of how hard his core guys have been pushed. He hinted at Snyder Brunell's call-up last week, saying the 18-year-old midfielder from the Tacoma Defiance's debut could come during the Leagues Cup.
"I'm gonna mix some of the lineups and give everyone a chance to play," Schmetzer said after Tuesday's practice. "I need to rest some guys."
Brunell, meanwhile, is thrilled for the opportunity to get his first taste of top-flight soccer. He scored seven goals and had nine assists in 59 matches with Tacoma.
"It's a great opportunity if I can get in," Brunell said following Tuesday's practice. "Hopefully, just like help the team, contribute to the team. Hopefully, we can get to three wins and make it into the next round."
While fans will need to wait for Thursday's game to see how Schmetzer manages fatigue, it appears he will cut back minutes on some of his overtaxed players at the Leagues Cup.
Maintaining an Image
The Sounders are no stranger to bringing their A-game to non-MLS competition. Look no further than the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, when Seattle became the first MLS team to win the competition, securing a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
In the short history of the Leagues Cup, the Sounders have already made their mark. In 2021, Seattle came up a goal short of winning the entire competition and Schmetzer doesn't intend on mailing it in this time around - even if key players will be in line for rest.
"Let me make things crystal clear. We have a really deep squad … The fact of the matter is this club has always taken every single competition that we enter on a serious nature," Schmetzer said after practice last Thursday.
As two-time MLS Cup champions, the Sounders will be looking to keep up appearances as a perennial force in U.S. soccer. But that doesn't mean they won't rest key players for an upcoming MLS Cup bid as a busy summer of soccer wears on.
