The Sounders ended their preseason training camp in Spain on Thursday with two losses in a friendly against Denmark’s Odense Bold club.
Raul Ruidiaz scored Seattle’s only goal in ’85.th 1 minute of the second game. The forward connected with a through ball from midfielder Danny Leyva and slotted it into the goal, making it 2-1.
In the first 90 minutes of the game played at La Quinta Football Center, the Sounders lost 3-0 due to their typical tendency to create good chances but not convert them. Jordan Morris is expected to be first choice for the starting XI in 2024, but he leaves Spain after failing to score in three games.
“We had a couple of chances to score, and that’s been the Achilles heel for us here at the club the last six months,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. “That’s what we came here to Spain to do, and we need to do a little more.”
Seattle’s starting defender last season did not play in Sunday’s scrimmage with Sweden’s IFK Norrkoping or Odense due to injuries or absences.
However, Schmetzer had a stable attacking unit. Argentina playmaker Pedro de la Vega was unable to make his friendly debut due to a hamstring injury.
“We absolutely keep saying to ourselves, ‘(Morris) got there, he created chances and made them happen,'” Schmetzer said while analyzing Morris’ camp in Spain. Told. “At some point he’s got to score. These were pre-season matches and there were some heavy legs. You never know what’s going to go in there. Sometimes players who score goals can score in quick succession. They have to score one to get more… For me, it’s getting him fit and making sure he feels good and making sure we’re It’s a function of making sure he gets the ball to the right place.”
The club will return stateside next week to announce their new home in Renton. The Sounders FC Center in Longacres is the first private training facility in the club’s 50-year history.
Seattle is scheduled to host Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship in a closed-door scrimmage on February 17th. The Sounders will open their MLS campaign on February 24th when they face Los Angeles FC on the road.
camp hype
Schmetzer frequently mentions former University of Washington midfielder Kalani Cossa-Rienzi when reporting from Spain.Cossa Rienzi was ranked 23rdrd He will be selected overall in the MLS SuperDraft in December.
“His first touch is always clean,” Schmetzer said of Cossa Rienzi, who was placed at right back during the scrimmage. “He receives the ball and moves away from the pressure to an angle where he can play the ball. Consistent technical ability under pressure is what makes a player better.”
What Cossa Rienzi needs to improve on is defense. He played in 76 games during his UW career, totaling six goals and 11 assists.
“He could be successful,” Schmetzer said of Kossa Rienzi being offered a first-team contract. “I don’t want to say he’s going to be successful, but if he continues to improve like he has in recent weeks, he’ll have a good chance.”
arrival and injury
Aymar Gomez-Andrade is expected to join the team when camp resumes in Renton next week. The center back was delayed in obtaining his green card in the United States, which prevented him from participating in training in Spain. Yeymar will be given a training plan to complete at home in Argentina and will gradually participate in serious fitness-based training.
Similar plans are in place for Nouhou, with Schmetzer hoping the defender will be fit following his appearance with the Cameroon national team at the African Cup of Nations. There were also delays in obtaining proper documentation for farming.
Sounders midfielders Joao Paulo (hip) and Josh Atencio (hamstring) were removed from Thursday’s scrimmage as a precaution. Defender Jackson Regen (knee) has returned to training, but Alex Roldan (hamstring) has not played in the last two friendlies. Midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting (hamstring) has suffered another setback and is under observation. He may not be at full strength until March.
Danny Musovski, who signed last week and flew from Utah to Spain, suffered a bruise during practice and did not play Thursday.