> ## 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 Return to Training, Drop Shortened Practice Game vs. Belgium - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-sounders-return-practice-world-cup-break-belgium/ - Published: 2026-06-18T05:14:59.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:14:25.000Z - Author: Qasim Ali - Tags: News, Sounders, Brian Schmetzer, Paul Arriola, Snyder Brunell, Jackson Ragen \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2048"\] ![ Seattle Sounders midfielder Snyder Brunell kicks the ball during a match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. (Sandra Agbotse / Sounders FC Communications) ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/55275036409_38bb83df33_k-format-original.jpg) Seattle Sounders midfielder Snyder Brunell kicks the ball during a match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. (Sandra Agbotse / Sounders FC Communications) \[/caption\] RENTON, Wash. - 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](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/home/2026-fifa-world-cup-seattle-day-1-belgium-egypt-fans-love-lumen), 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." The first group did not allow a goal while the second team allowed two in the shortened game. For Schmetzer, it was a solid moment for team bonding and, more importantly, getting his guys ramped up into game shape well in advance of their July 16 return to action against their rival Portland Timbers. "The players were super excited, super motivated because there were some big names out there," Schmetzer said. "For some of the young kids to play against (Belgium all-time leading scorer Romelu) Lukaku and (Axel) Witsel and some of those guys, I mean it was good." With the possibility of things feeling cramped considering two teams are using one purpose-built facility, Schmetzer credited Belgium manager Rudi Garcia and his staff for making it work well. "Whenever (Garcia and I) see each other, it's always not just 'Hi, hello,' it's, 'Hey, what are you doing? Hey Brian, do you want to come watch our trainings?'" Schmetzer said of Garcia. "He's been very gracious in allowing us to co-inhabitors of our building. There's nothing stuffy or pretentious about who they are. They're just good people, and good soccer players." > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZs79vfkhwu/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Seattle Sounders FC (@soundersfc)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZs79vfkhwu/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Key Sounders like Jackson Ragen, pictured defending Lukaku in a team photo as the event was not open to media, took part in the game. Others, like young starting midfielder Snyder Brunell, did not get in the game. Brunell has had a productive break, participating in two USMNT camps as the squad needed extra midfielders for training. He was the only player from the program’s youth squad to participate in the first camp, while other youth prospects joined the second camp. With split heritage between Mexico and the U.S., the 19-year-old will have a decision to make as his current trajectory puts him in a great position to contend for minutes on either team as an offensive-minded midfielder who rarely makes mistakes. Brunell has leaned toward the U.S., participating in multiple youth camps before the most recent invitation to join the senior squad for a bit. He, like Atletico Madrid transfer Obed Vargas, who occupied his spot before him and is now rostered with Mexico in this World Cup, is not going to rush his decision on who to represent. "You see Belgium training at our facility, it's very inspiring to see, ‘Oh, these guys are going together for one goal.’ And to think that that could be me in a few years if I just put my head down and keep working is very inspiring to me," Brunell said. "I support both (U.S. and Mexico), and for my pathway, I'm open to whatever. But for now, the U.S. is looking good for me so I'll stick to that." Regarding World Cup festivities, both Arriola and Brunell said they will attend the U.S. vs. Australia match at noon on Friday at Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium for FIFA’s branding purposes). The group-stage match is projected to draw plenty of supporters and be the biggest World Cup game for Seattle yet, adding to the raucous atmosphere already generated by Egypt and Belgium on Monday. As far as injuries go, Schmetzer said star winger Pedro de la Vega is on track to make his season debut at some point this summer, about eight months removed from a freak patella injury in the regular-season finale last season. De la Vega was not a full participant on Wednesday. "He's going to be in some form of training towards the end of this block before we get into Portland," Schmetzer said. "Is that (July 16) Portland game a little early? Probably. But he's on track. Might see him in that (August 1) Portland away… let's see if there are no setbacks." As for Yeimar, who hasn't seen the pitch since suffering a hamstring injury against St. Louis in early March, the star center back was in full training on Wednesday, though Schmetzer didn't have a timeline for his return. In terms of the Sounders' form, this is a squad that exited the first 13 games of the season on a skid, going 1-2-2 in its last five matches to lose considerable ground in a possible run at the Supporters Shield. Seattle is tied for the fourth fewest goals in league play with 17 total, while its average of 1.31 is seventh lowest in MLS. Still, the team will have another four days off following Wednesday's training to meet the league-mandated 22 total days off during this hiatus. That means preparation and tactical planning to remedy those offensive issues will commence in full as we approach the final weeks of June and early portion of July. In all, having the World Cup around has just brought a sense of levity and childlike passion for the game back to Seattle. Schmetzer, 63 years old and one of the most experienced coaches in MLS, recalled how fun it was for him to just be around international superstars like Kevin De Bruyne at the facility. "I was this far away from Kevin De Bruyne," Schmetzer said with a chuckle. "'Hey Kev, how's it going Kevin?'" Arriola recalled how much it stung to miss the 2022 World Cup roster as current Sounders Cristian Roldan and Jesus Ferreira made the cut in Qatar. But with some time away from the program and coming off a devastating ACL injury, Arriola has been able to watch the games as a fan completely. "I did not expect to be inspired, like I am right now," Arriola said of watching the World Cup. "It's beautiful to watch the fans, the teams… I know what it's like to represent your country on the big stage and for me, it's inspiring specifically to watch the U.S. in their first game." That first game was a 4-1 drubbing of Paraguay as the States put the tournament on notice with breakout candidate Folarin Balogun netting a brace. With Australia set to meet the U.S. in Seattle on Friday, expect the Emerald City's soccer-frenzied summer to hit a fever pitch.