Sounders Split Friendlies in Spain as De Rosario Shines; Backline Injuries Pile Up
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Sounders striker Osaze De Rosario fights for positioning during an MLS match against Inter Miami on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Jane Gershovich / Sounders FC Communications) [/caption]
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.
Osaze Shines with Brace, Continues to Grow at Striker
With plenty of commotion being made about the battle between club legend Jordan Morris and 2025 leading scorer Danny Musovski, 2025 Tacoma Defiance signee Osaze De Rosario put his name back in the ring in the 3-0 win over Hammarby.
His first goal of the rain-soaked contest was a beauty, as the 24-year-old worked the right sideline with the ball on a counterattack against one defender for about 40 yards. He finished the run off with a decisive right-to-left shot past the keeper to put Seattle up 1-0 in the eighth minute. After Ferreira's goal on a slick assist from Albert Rusnák, De Rosario made it 3-1 as Nouhou laid out a grounded ball to the far post in a transition attack, which the young striker buried off one touch.
"(Hammarby) definitely had some strong center backs," De Rosario said after the game, referring primarily to 6-foot-3 defender Victor Eriksson. "It was definitely a test for me."
While Morris, who played the contest on the left wing, and Musovski, who played the second game at striker, each have strengths, De Rosario's physical presence stands out. That presence could play to the young attacker's favor as the Sounders tinker with an offense that was the club's best ever in 2025.
"I feel like I'm getting more touches on the ball when we build up. (The coaches) demand a little bit more touches from me, coming into the pocket and holding up a center back," De Rosario said. "I have the ability, and I enjoy it. We showed our quality, we showed our build-up, and it works."
More than anything, De Rosario is fitting in better with the first team these days.
His father, Dwayne De Rosario, is an MLS legend who scored 104 goals over 14 seasons in the league. Osaze is only starting his journey in the league.
He just joined the Sounders from Tacoma midway through the 2025 season, but made an instant impact. He scored in the Leagues Cup final against Messi and Inter Miami last August and proved to be a key rotational piece for a busy summer.
That familiarity is paying dividends in the build-up to 2026.
"I definitely feel more comfortable with the team off the field," De Rosario said. "When you feel comfortable and you see the guys and they know you … this preseason definitely felt a little different than other preseasons because I'm more established and guys know my tendencies."
With Morris looking comfortable on the wing, which could use some help with star Pedro de la Vega sidelined until late April, De Rosario could be an offensive piece to watch at the nine this season.
Center Back Injuries Threaten Early Season
Seattle's pairing of Yeimar and Jackson Ragen flew under the radar last season, but was among MLS' most productive center back duos for a Seattle defense that tied for the ninth-fewest goals allowed last season.
Still, with another busy year including the longest MLS season ever, Concacaf Champions Cup obligations and a run at back-to-back Leagues Cup titles on the horizon, Seattle could use depth. It won't have that at the crucial center back spot to start the season. Sounders skipper Brian Schmetzer called the team's prospects at the position "dodgy," and for good reason.
Long-time reserve Kim Kee-hee, Stuart Hawkins and Inter Miami signing Ryan Sailor are all "going to be out for a while" per Schmetzer thanks to various ailments. With the regular season mere weeks away, Seattle may need to play out-of-position defenders like Alex Roldan, Cody Baker or Defiance call-ups like Antino Lopez from time to time in the early going. While Seattle should count itself lucky to have its starters healthy, the depth that carried the Sounders in 2025 will be tested this spring.
In some better injury news, Paul Arriola was able to play the back 30 minutes of the match against Metalist. Schmetzer hopes to push that number up gradually as the veteran winger recovers from a torn ACL. As of Thursday, Arriola expects to be ready for selection by the season's start.
Schmetzer Tries Out Dotson to Fill Vargas Departure
Star midfielder Obed Vargas' $3 million transfer to La Liga side Atletico Madrid on Sunday left Schmetzer with a decision to make. USMNT talent Cristian Roldan would need a replacement running mate in the defending midfield, and Seattle's coaching staff has just 17 days left to pick someone to fill the crucial spot.
Schmetzer gave veteran Minnesota United signing Hassani Dotson a chance at the spot with a 90-minute game against Hammarby alongside Roldan. While the pairing is just getting started, Schmetzer thought the duo "looked good" to start.
Vargas, meanwhile, notched his first minutes for Atletico later in the day; the 20-year-old subbed on in the waning minutes of a 5-0 Atletico Madrid thrashing of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey and drew a foul.
The Sounders will return to Seattle on Friday and begin preparing for their final friendly against USL Championship side Louisville City FC on February 15 in Renton.
