> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sounders Head to Atlanta Eying One More Win Before Leagues Cup - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-sounders-head-to-atlanta-eyeing-win-leagues-cup/ - Published: 2025-07-25T22:01:44.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:19:06.000Z - Author: Qasim Ali - Tags: News, Analysis, Sounders, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnak, Pedro de la Vega, Brian Schmetzer \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2048"\] ![ Cristian Roldan addresses the Seattle Sounders in a huddle during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 19, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Mike Fiechtner / Sounders FC Communications) ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/54666312240_cc4e9f06a7_k-format-original.jpg) Cristian Roldan addresses the Seattle Sounders in a huddle during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 19, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Mike Fiechtner / Sounders FC Communications) \[/caption\] The Seattle Sounders (10-6-7, fourth in Western Conference) have had their fair share of ups and downs this summer. A 0-3-0 showing at the Club World Cup was tough to swallow, but world-class performances from Cristian Roldan and others served as a silver lining for the Rave Green. With a disappointing draw against Colorado and an exhilarating win over San Jose still fresh in their minds, the Sounders have been preparing for Saturday's match against Atlanta United amid injuries and lineup changes. A Leagues Cup date against Cruz Azul is awaiting this squad next Thursday, and Seattle could use a strong showing against a struggling United team in the meantime. Let's take a look at how Seattle matches up with their final MLS opponent of the month. ### Atlanta Outlook Atlanta United (4-11-8, 13th in Eastern Conference) has had a season to forget thus far. Atlanta is 0-3-2 over its last five and hasn't won a match since May 28. This is a squad in desperate need of a result. But Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer hasn't been so quick to write off Atlanta. Although Atlanta's offense is bottom-seven in scoring with 24 goals on the year, Schmetzer pointed to disruptive midfield talents Emmanuel Latte Lath (seven goals) and Miguel Almirón (three goals), each of whom can turn a game upside down in a hurry with their speed. Almirón is top-21 in both progressive carries and passes this season, while Latte Lath has a propensity for timely scores. Even with Schmetzer's respect for an Atlanta team down on its luck, the Sounders lead United in practically every meaningful statistic. From progressive passes to tackles and shots, Seattle has the edge. Not to mention that Atlanta has a top-5 worst scoring defense, with their 43 goals allowed. Despite the rough season, Seattle should be prepared for a raucous Georgia crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta averages nearly 45,000 in attendance per game, well above second-place Charlotte at 31,182. ### More Injuries, Possible Change on the Left Wing Paul Rothrock has been one of the most consistent pieces for Schmetzer this season, starting 19 of 23 games at varying points in the midfield — lately, as a left winger. Unfortunately for the Sounders, Rothrock suffered a hand injury that required surgery on Thursday morning. Although Schmetzer characterized Rothrock's return timetable as "short," he will miss Saturday's game. "He should be back for the next (game) because it's just pain tolerance," Schmetzer said on Thursday. Although Rothrock only played seven minutes last Saturday, his absence on the left side creates another issue for Seattle's coaching staff, which has been searching for a go-to starting XI as the fall wears closer. The good news is Rothrock's presumed replacement is coming off his best game of the season. Pedro de la Vega had a goal and an assist in his first start of the season on the left wing against San Jose. With competition for a final XI heating up, de la Vega has been presented with a golden opportunity to establish himself. Schmetzer will be watching closely by all appearances. "Pedro has now played his way into a conversation on the left side of the field," Schmetzer remarked after Saturday's game. De la Vega, meanwhile, is just keeping his head down and working. "Confidence is something that you have to build and create to your own self, not just because of results but because of work. And I'll \[keep\] working," de la Vega said through an interpreter after the San Jose win. With a promising few weeks of practice sessions to build on, according to Schmetzer, de la Vega now needs to demonstrate sustained production under the matchday lights. ### How Does Seattle Match Up? Seattle goalkeeper and captain Stefan Frei practiced for a second consecutive day on Thursday, but is still in concussion protocol after a scary head injury on July 6, according to Schmetzer. Andrew Thomas has done a decent job in Frei's place, recording 19 saves in the last three games. Still, Seattle has given up seven goals in its those three fixtures without Frei. Atlanta has struggled to net opportunities, sure, but threats like Latte Lath and Almirón will force Schmetzer to think about how to defend a potentially devastating counterattack. "It's just getting Almirón to play with Latte Lath and get some of the guys just in sync, but just a dangerous team," Schmetzer said Thursday. "But defending's been kind of their Achilles heel." Schmetzer has a point there. If it comes down to another high-scoring affair, Seattle has to like its chances. The Sounders have scored nine goals in their last three games, and while Schmetzer attributes some of it to luck, Seattle has really forced the issue lately. Three of Seattle's 10 best expected-goal games this season have come in the last two weeks. "We're taking chances, we're getting on the ball a whole lot more. We're breaking down teams a little bit better in the final third," Cristian Roldan said after Wednesday's practice. Roldan, who had that world-class stretch of midfield play in the Club World Cup, is as confident in his role as ever. The former USMNT player pointed out how he and All-Star Obed Vargas are relied on to defend in space so that Seattle's counterattacking forwards can push the opposing line. Roldan knows his level of play will dictate whether Atlanta's gamechangers get going. "This is a team that plays pretty, but I think if we play tough and there's moments in the game that we can open it, I think we'll be in a good spot," Roldan said. If Seattle needs an individual effort to net goals, it won't need to look much further than Albert Rusnák. The veteran's 10 goals and six assists both lead Seattle as one more goal would tie his career-high. With all-time leading goal scorer Jordan Morris out for the next six weeks at least due to a shoulder injury, Daniel Musovski will step in at forward with his eight goals and a brace last time out. Long story short, Seattle has plenty of options to turn to in exposing Atlanta's backline. ### The Verdict Seattle will need to keep being opportunistic, as Roldan alluded to, against an ailing Atlanta team that has the potential to find its offense any night. United has squandered plenty of opportunities to score big and has been shut out nine times this season, so the Sounders’ defense should also be looking to get back on track on Saturday. After some tight wins and a draw, Seattle will have a chance to pull away for a comfortable win on Saturday. Attention to detail and midfield containment will dictate whether it takes advantage of that opportunity.