Sounders First Day of Training Camp Notebook: Anticipated Competition Begins
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The Seattle Sounders celebrate a goal against Minnesota United during Game 2 of the MLS Cup Playoffs First Round on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. (Mike Fiechtner / Sounders FC Communications) [/caption]
The Seattle Sounders are back, if training counts.
The squad, which went 15-9-10 en route to a fifth-place finish in the west in 2025, reunited at the Providence Swedish Performance Center in Renton on Monday to begin preparing for the 2026 campaign. Before they return to MLS play on Feb. 22, however, the squad will be heading to Portugal on Sunday for training and an exhibition game before skipping over to Spain for three more matches.
The team will meet its AFCON participants in Georgi Minoungou and Nouhou in Portugal as the pair gets a much-needed breather before returning to club play.
Competition Galore
Head coach Brian Schmetzer divulged some storylines to watch as training begins, confirming that there will be an active competition between Andrew Thomas and a recently re-signed Stefan Frei for the starting keeper position.
"There's going to be an open competition for that spot, and I will decide at the end of preseason," Schmetzer said of the keeper spot.
From there, Schmetzer flexed the muscle that is his roster's depth, insisting there's competition everywhere — from Jesús Ferreira and Albert Rusnák at the 10, to Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski duking it out at striker, to either wing, and even to the backline. While it may have been the excitement of day one getting to the veteran coach, Schmetzer suggested playing Paul Rothrock out of the backline if he chooses an offense-based tactic.
Midfielder Hassani Dotson, who signed from Minnesota United in the offseason, is looking to break in wherever he can. After a messy break-up with the Loons characterized by what the Federal Way native called "some false promises," the 28-year-old is looking to earn minutes with the squad he grew up watching.
"Minutes aren't promised or guaranteed. I'm the new guy here, so I've got to earn my stripes," Dotson said, having played either pivot in his career.
Dotson will, of course, need to outduel another new addition in 22-year-old Nikola Petković and Defiance signee Snyder Brunell as the battle to back up stars Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas begins.
Although Petković struggled to earn minutes with Charlotte last season, failing to play over 100 in 2025, Schmetzer is optimistic.
“His profile is very good and whatever happened in Charlotte, you know, didn’t work out,” Schmetzer said. “But they paid good money for him, and he’s got some talent, so we’ll bring him in here.”
Injuries
Veteran winger Paul Arriola, still recovering from a torn ACL he picked up in the Concacaf Champions Cup, practiced with the team "fully," by Schmetzer's account, and was glad to be back on the pitch — though his status appears to be day-to-day.
"It depends on who you ask," Arriola said, when asked if he's fully recovered. "I feel great, just lacking a little confidence playing-wise."
Though the former USMNT player isn't 100%, logging a practice on day one is a solid first step as he attempts to break back into a contested winger room. Schmetzer is emphasizing patience.
"He wants to play, but there's no rush," Schmetzer said. "How many games he's going to get in preseason, maybe the last couple, that's (to be determined). And when he's fully 100% healthy, then we'll talk about playing time."
Former Inter Miami centerback Ryan Sailor, however, didn't practice as he nurses a knee injury. Schmetzer expects him back on the pitch within the week.
Coaching Staff Changes
The Sounders parted ways with assistant Andy Rose last Friday, as the four-year Sounders coach (2022-2025) and four-year Sounders player (2012-2015) helped the Rave Green bring home multiple trophies. Rose, who moved on to a gig with LAFC, primarily helped coach the defense and helped with set-piece strategy.
In his stead, the Sounders announced the hiring of former Vancouver Whitecaps coach Ricardo Clark. Clark headed up Vancouver's MLS Next Pro side, Whitecaps 2, from 2023 to 2025 and was selected for the USMNT during his time as a player, when he won two MLS Cups with Houston and spent time with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
"Andy's a loss, as always, we like to wish him well. He did a great job for us, and we're going to slide Ricardo in," Schmetzer said after training. "He's got a lot of experience, and we're looking forward to working with him."
