Here come the boys from Puget Sound
Ever paid attention to the final bit of music that plays when the Sounders enter the field to play the second half? It's Ayron Jones' hit "The Boys from Puget Sound." Jones is a Seattle-born grunge-blues rocker who once got kicked out of shows because he didn't look the part.
His song may as be an anthem for what the Seattle Sounders are when they are at their best – free flowing, attacking, brash and born right here.
Nine of the Seattle players appearing in the Club World Cup to this point are from the Academy or Defiance as their first entry into the organization. Two others played both their collegiate soccer here and signed their first pro deal here – both Roldans also played their first minutes from the team now known as Defiance. One of the two goals scored by Seattle (half of MLS' goals scored in the tourney) were from that group.
More than merely being local, this is the group that seems to want to push the ball forward. Paul Rothrock may be the poster child for this underestimated, underappreciated style, but he's not alone in a constant desire to show that the enemy's goal is down.
These 'fun losses' are fun because the Seattle Sounders we're watching aren't overwhelmed by the moment.
They're everywhere. Running because the only thing that is going to carry them is effort, belief in the team and the knowledge that these are the moments upon which lasting memories are built.
Despite an initial price point that diminished interest, the Sounders matches at Lumen are ahead of the Club World Cup average. Thousands of fans from the region are seeing us entertain on a global stage.
Not by signing the biggest stars. Not by extraordinary marketing. Not because we're in a media center. Not because of outside investment.
These Sounders are showing that the stars we have are on our chests, in our stands and in our hearts.
The boys from Puget Sound with their brash attitudes, loud personas and skills are what will make or break 2025's season. Because when the Seattle Sounders play like this they're everywhere.
Double-down on this attitude for the rest of the month and it won't be a miracle that they are succeeding, nor a miracle that attendance will climb back up – this community loves to be loud. Louder than love even.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Monday, June 23 vs. Paris Saint-Germain | 12 pm PT | DAZN
- Understanding the stakes after two games
- Out-classed: Sounders can’t keep up with Atlético Madrid
- Obed Vargas not about to miss chance to face Atlético Madrid
- Realio’s Ratings: Welcome to the world’s stage
- Sounders found positives in how they played against Botafogo
- When expectations and reality collide
- Just a little short: Sounders can’t complete comeback
- Club World Cup has mostly exceeded expectations, so far
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Sunday, July 20 vs. Urawa Red Diamonds in a friendly | 1 pm PT
- Match preview: Seattle Reign vs. Utah Royals
- The Cooler Guild: A rollercoaster point in Chicago
- Valkyratings: Fighting for the result
- Three stats: Seattle Reign vs. Chicago Stars
- Reign fight back for 2-2 draw at Chicago
- Sam Meza, Jordyn Bugg receive first U.S. national team call-up
Defiance
Next match: Sunday, June 29 at LAFC2 | 1 pm PT | MLS Next Pro
Defiance are 4th in the Pacific by PPM as they are in a long break while helping the big club prepare during the Club World Cup.
Twelve other stories to read, watch or listen to
Keep yourself informed.
- Seattle company’s device allows vision-impaired fans to experience sports in a new way (Seattle Times)
- How Julio Rodríguez became friends with soccer star Antoine Griezmann (Seattle Times)
- Is the Club World Cup important? Yes, just ask the South American teams (ESPN)
- Club World Cup: 'Teams are suffering’ in U.S. heat. Will FIFA protect them at World Cup 2026? (Yahoo Sports)
- 'You just can't replicate game minutes': How Sam Meza's move home to Dallas set a path to the USWNT (Squad Depth)
- One night at Pumas: When MLS & Seattle Sounders FC changed forever (MLS Soccer)
- Lesle Gallimore, GM Seattle Reign FC, talks to Lee Callahan (Goal Power Podcast)
- Earthquakes' Fisher confirms plan to sell club (ESPN)
- Hastings Racecourse — and Whitecaps' — future no clearer after Tsleil-Waututh interest (The Province)
- Tampa Bay Sun FC Unveils Vision for New Waterfront Stadium at Ybor Harbor (USL Soccer)
- Everett City Council Approves Downtown Stadium (My Everett News)
- USMNT winger Tim Weah describes 'weird' press conference with Donald Trump: 'I had no choice' (Awful Announcing)
Capturing the magic of the mundane Utilize action (From my D&D blog)