Back for 2018 after an unsuccessful MLS Cup appearance, the Seattle Sounders will be hoping to start the season on the run of form they ended with in 2017. Seattle lost only three matches after June 17 last season, including a 13-match unbeaten run that lifted them to a second-place finish in the Western Conference.
After rattling off three successful preseason games, Seattle stumbled in a 2-1 CONCACAF Champions League loss against Santa Tecla in El Salvador. The match also cost the club forward Jordan Morris for the season with a torn ACL. With the second leg scheduled for Thursday, three days before its MLS home opener, Brian Schmetzer has promised that whatever match comes next for his squad will receive their full attention.
Sounders open season at home against LAFC
When: March 4, 2:00 p.m. PT
Where: CenturyLink Field
Broadcast: TV — ESPN; RADIO — 950 AM (KJR), 1360 AM (El Rey Spanish)
Live stream: MLS Live (if applicable)
The buzz: The Sounders will get the first-ever crack at newly-minted expansion franchise LAFC in its official home opener. The Sounders will have already completed their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Santa Tecla of El Salvador, and will trust that competitive minutes and roster experience can get them off to a strong start in 2018. With the match carried nationally by ESPN, it will be an opportunity for Seattle to prove that they have shaken off their disappointing 2017 MLS Cup performance.
Other key matches
Mar. 9 at Toronto FC – In the first trip to BMO Field in two years without major hardware on the line, the Sounders will hope to take down the team already picked by statisticians and bookmakers as favorites to repeat as MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield champs.
Mar. 13 at Portland Timbers – Days after a tough trip to Toronto, Seattle will travel down I-5 to face off against their Cascadian rivals. Both teams will hope to seize the initiative and points that may prove crucial in the final Western Conference standings.
July 15 at Atlanta United FC – Seattle’s first trip to Mercedez Benz Stadium will be a memorable affair against a talented roster. Atlanta smashed existing attendance records in its debut season, most of which belonged to the Sounders. This will be Seattle’s chance to see what the hype is all about.
Check out the full 2018 schedule here.
Quotes & Notes
“The next game is the most important game. We’re going to get back to that. That served us well in 2016 and the most important game is the next game. So I’m going to put out the best lineup for Thursday (against Santa Tecla), and then we’re going to assess, and then I’ll put out the best lineup for Sunday (against LAFC). Hopefully, if we have a good performance on Thursday, we’ll assess for Wednesday, but every game is a critical game for us.” – Brian Schmetzer, on his team’s philosophy for managing minutes this week.
“We’re at home. We expect to win. Our fans expect to win. That’s what being a part of this organization is all about.” – Cristian Roldan on the expectations of playing at CenturyLink Field.
The Sounders lost Jordan Morris for the season to a torn ACL suffered in El Salvador. Minor injuries have limited Osvaldo Alonso, Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres and Victor Rodriguez in training.
Biggest offseason moves
- Acquired playmaker Magnus Wolff Eikrem on a free transfer from Allsvenskan’s Malmo The former Manchester United youth player is hungry to compete for minutes in the attacking midfield.
- Acquired left back Waylon Francis from the Columbus Crew for $50,000 in General Allocation Money. The Costa Rican international is expected to compete with former S2 signee Nouhou for a starting role.
- Drafted midfielder Alex Roldan from Seattle University with the 22nd overall pick at the MLS SuperDraft. Roldan, younger brother of USMNT and Sounders star Cristian, signed a first team contract Feb. 13 after a successful preseason.
- Waived Brad Evans, the only other player besides Alonso who had been with the club since its inaugural 2009 season. Evans signed as a free agent with Sporting Kansas City.
- Lost backup keeper Tyler Miller to LAFC in the expansion draft
Roster breakdown
Forwards – Seyi Adekoya, 22; Will Bruin, 28; Clint Dempsey, 34; Jordan Morris, 23*; Lamar Neagle, 30
Midfielders – Osvaldo Alonso, 32; Handwalla Bwana, 18; Jordy Delem, 24; Magnus Wolff Eikrem, 27; Aaron Kovar, 24**; Nicolas Lodeiro, 28; Zach Mathers, 23; Victor Rodriguez, 28; Alex Roldan, 21; Cristian Roldan, 22; Harry Shipp, 26; Gustav Svensson, 31; Henry Wingo, 22
Defenders – Tony Alfaro, 24; Waylon Francis, 27; Kelvin Leerdam, 27; Chad Marshall, 33; Jordan McCrary, 24; Nouhou, 20; Roman Torres, 31
Goalkeepers – Calle Brown, 25; Stefan Frei, 31; Bryan Meredith, 28
See full roster details here.