The Sounders won 3-2 in a friendly against Serbia’s TSC Bacca Topola on Wednesday, but Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer had concerns about the way his team started.
Seattle veterans and rookies were split into two teams and faced Bacca in 60-minute halves at Spain’s Marbella Football Center. The first group, captained by midfielder Joao Paulo and with strikers Raul Ruidiaz and Andrew Thomas between the sticks, conceded an early goal.
The second lineup for the 120-minute match featured forward Jordan Morris as the captain, with Albert Rusnak and Leo Chu as the only other main Sounders starters. Chu provided an assist to Rusnak on the last breath of scrimmage, giving him the win from close range.
“Everyone had a good camp,” Schmetzer said of the Sounders, who moved preseason training to Marbella for warmer weather and access to European clubs.
“Unfortunately, we’re in the performance business,” Schmetzer continued. “Wins and losses matter, so we tried to win in the exhibition as well. For them to actually win the game after a slow start definitely put the biggest smile on my face and gave me even more credit for their accomplishments.” They persevered. But they didn’t get off to a good start and finished the game well.”
Technical staff utilizes game film to evaluate players early on. Schmetzer said replacing players who play well together won’t happen until late in the preseason. The staff liked the tactical adjustments made last season and plans to play a similar style this year.
Tacoma Defiance Midfielder Georgi Minougou (34)th minutes) The score was tied in the first half of the scrimmage. After a complete rotation that included goalie Jacob Castro in goal, University of Washington midfielder Dylan Teves scored the go-ahead goal off an assist from Chu.
A replay of Wednesday’s friendly is available on YouTube by Football LiveFix.
“I have to give credit to the Serbian team, they were very good,” Schmetzer said. “Overall, it was a good game and a good test for us.”
The Sounders will finish the day with a catered barbecue and have a recovery day on Thursday. They face Sweden’s IFK Norrkoping on Sunday and have their first offseason on Monday.
I am looking forward
Multiple starters did not participate in Wednesday’s friendly for various reasons. Sounders keeper Stephen Fry was rested to allow the technical staff to watch Thomas and Castro in first-team matches.
Sounders defender Nouhou is on his way to camp after the Cameroon national team lost to Nigeria in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations tournament last week. Nohpo played the full 90 minutes.
Aymar Gómez Andrade is still waiting for a U.S. green card in Argentina. Schmetzer hopes the defender will be able to join the club next week.
Highly anticipated Argentine midfielder Pedro de la Vega should be allowed to take part in full training on Friday. He suffered a hamstring injury during his time with the national team prior to his contract and continued to train on the Spanish sidelines.
Sounders defenders Jackson Ragen (knee) and Reid Baker-Whiting (hamstring) are also rehabbing injuries and have not participated in training.
“There’s still time,” Schmetzer said. The team will open its MLS match against Los Angeles FC on February 24th.
Musovsky’s signature
The Sounders are close to signing forward Danny Musovski. The Athletic first reported that the former Real Salt Lake standout is heading to Seattle.
Mr. Schmetzer did not set a date for Mr. Musovsky’s arrival. The free agent has four years of experience in MLS. He played one season at Utah State, logging 1,641 minutes and contributing nine goals and five assists.
league cup opponents
MLS announced the League’s Cup bracket on Wednesday. The month-long tournament will feature all teams from Mexico’s top competition Liga MX and MLS in a World Cup-style event. The revamped League’s Cup debuted last year with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF defeating Nashville SC on penalties to claim the title.
Seattle failed to advance past pool play last year, losing 3-0 to Real Salt Lake in Utah and 4-2 to CF Monterrey at Lumen Field.
The Sounders are in the West 6 group this year, playing against Minnesota United FC and Liga MX’s Club Necaxa. Seattle has an overall record of 11-1-2 against Minnesota. The Sounders have faced Rayos once in club history, drawing 1-1 in a 2017 international friendly at Lumen.
Columbus Crew (MLS) and Club America (Liga MX) earned group stage byes as the reigning champions of their respective leagues. They will enter the tournament starting in the Round of 32.
The teams that advance to the League Cup finals and the winners of the third-place match will automatically qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup (formerly CONCACAF Champions League).
“We didn’t do very well last year, but we like the concept,” Schmetzer said. “It certainly adds to the gameplay, and some people have criticized it. Personally, I like it, so let’s see how it goes.”
The relationship between the Sounders, Reign, and Orioles?
The Sounders’ bid to buy the Seattle Reign from France-based OL Group is still in the final stages, multiple sources confirmed. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman first set a December deadline to form a new ownership group, with the expectation that an announcement would then be made in January.
The delay may be related to the sale of the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein. The latter company is reportedly helping finance the Sounders’ purchase of Laine for $50 million.
According to ESPN, Rubenstein’s group will reportedly buy the Orioles for $1.725 billion. The Baltimore native will also become the controlling owner. A vote to approve the deal is expected next week.
Sportico first reported Carlyle’s involvement in the sale of Reign. Private equity firms don’t plan on doing day-to-day trading. Sounders majority owner Adrian Hanauer declined to discuss the contract in January. He is deeply involved in the inner workings of MLS clubs.
Even though the ownership of Laine has become unclear, the acquisition of players and hiring of staff has not stalled. Seattle announced on Wednesday that it had signed Welsh internationals Angarad James and Lily Woodham, who are currently in a two-week preseason training camp in Costa Rica, where they will play two friendlies.