#24 Georgi Minoungou – 2025 Overall Rating: 5.34 in 32 appearances
Community Rating: 5.95
MLS Regular Season: 5.33 in 21 appearances
MLS Playoffs: 5.00 in 2 appearances
Concacaf Champions Cup 5.00 in 4 appearances
Club World Cup 6.00 in 2 appearances
Leagues Cup: 5.67 in 3 appearances
MOTM = 2 | High = 7 | Low = 4
Georgi Minoungou made excellent developmental progress, almost doubling his 17 2024 appearances to 32 in all competitive matches in 2025. No longer just an Open Cup weapon, Georgi became a fulltime Sounder and showed some game-breaking MLS skills at times. His ability to dribble by opponents is elite, and he has the size, speed, and physical tools to be a game changer on offense. In 2025 he took steps to realize his potential and find a place on the team.
How it started: Georgi forced himself onto the gameday roster with some exciting play near the end of 2024. The question this year wasn’t if he could play at an MLS level, it was whether he could translate his skillset to tangible results. He was so close to the payoff stats-wise, but could he make that final pass? With that question at the forefront, Minoungou played in the Sounders’ first 12 matches of 2025. While possessing dynamic and nearly supernatural ball skills, he still struggled at times to change the scoreboard, and that limited his playing time.
How it ended: Georgi grew throughout the season. A spectacular strike on goal in the 72nd minute finished off Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup. A brilliant run forward forced a pivotal penalty kick in the Leagues Cup final against Miami. Georgi’s crossing improved as he translated his excellent 1-v-1 skills into more coherent chances for teammates. He earned some starts, but the overall defending and production dipped, so Georgi was relegated to a bench option as summer pushed into fall. When he subbed in, it seemed almost unfair to bring in his pace, size, and skill off the dribble against tired defenses that had to double and triple-team him. But then he didn’t always know what to do after he got free. Georgi ended with two goals and five assists for the Sounders in 2025.
Where do we go from here? With the winger positions depleted by roster moves and injuries, there will be a lot of wide attacking minutes to be found in 2026. Georgi’s upside is clearly there, and he has skills literally no one else in the league exhibits on the dribble. Can he continue to build the final product and find consistency on both sides of the field? In critical moments, can he make the right choice and execute it after his physical skills get him into advantageous positions? Until that happens, he may not be ready to start matches for the Sounders.
Realio
#23 João Paulo – 2025 Overall Rating: 5.46 in 13 appearances
Community Rating: 5.81
MLS Regular Season: 5.40 in 10 appearances
Concacaf Champions Cup 6.00 in 2 appearances
Club World Cup 5.00 in 1 appearance
High = 7 | Low = 4
João Paulo arrived in Seattle in 2020 and immediately showed that he was a Sounder through and through, both in mentality and skill. He brought tactical superiority, excellent vision and passing, leadership, and the intensity necessary to dominate the midfield. After his major knee injury in 2022, though, he was never quite the same, and a few injuries at the end of 2024 continued the decline in this proud player’s skill.
How it started: When Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas emerged as the top defensive midfield pair, seemingly able to play 90 minutes every match, JP was unlikely to get a lot of time going into 2025. This was further exacerbated by his nagging health issues. João had limited time early in the year, and he understandably looked rusty in his few appearances. After some rough outings, he sporadically played and looked okay as a late defensive addition. When JP was hurt in June, however, his season and career looked to be over.
How it ended: Somehow, JP’s knee injury was mis-diagnosed: it was not as bad as originally thought. He was able to return in October and played well in a number of appearances. Heading into the playoffs, there was JP on the bench, ready to sub in should the team need him. Compared to the original JP, he was less mobile, but he managed to bring some needed intensity and leadership as his career wound down.
Where do we go from here? With only 13 appearances this season and his diminished effectiveness, the writing was on the wall for this legendary player. His injury history and slowing legs meant there was no spot for him on the Sounders’ roster heading into 2026, and he has already said goodbye on Instagram. There was talk that JP could return in a staffing position; using his leadership and tactical understanding in a coaching capacity seems like an idea worth pursuing.
#21 (tie) Stuart Hawkins – 2025 Overall Rating: 5.50 in 4 appearances
Community Rating: 5.51
MLS Regular Season: 5.5 in 4 appearances
High = 6 | Low = 5
With a massive upside, highlighted by numerous callups to national team camps, 19-year-old Stuart Hawkins was expected to take the next step to full Sounders minutes in 2025. However, injuries and the aforementioned callups meant his availability was limited. Additionally, Seattle was returning a league-best defense with a solidified back line, which made it difficult to break into the rotation.
How it started: Hawkins had everything to play for this year, as his ability is better than MLS Next Pro. Physically, putting on more muscle and showing a better developed frame supplemented his excellent distribution and vision when he did get to play. Hoping to break into the Sounders center back rotation, he fought injuries most of the year.
How it ended: When Hawkins played for Seattle, he looked the part, contributing to two shutouts in his four appearances. That was the issue, however. Stuart did not play much this season and couldn’t get, or didn’t take, the opportunity to force himself into the discussion for more minutes.
Where do we go from here? As the Sounders declined some options and his other center back competition is aging, there is a massive opportunity for Hawkins to step up and be a key contributor in 2026. In order to do that, he must stay healthy and keep improving his play off the ball. Hawkins’ passing and vision are excellent, but he has to show consistent defensive ability at the MLS level to earn the full trust of the coaching staff, and he has yet to exhibit that. Should he continue to improve on his current trajectory, it’s easy to imagine Hawkins getting more playing time soon.
#21 (tie) Snyder Brunell – 2025 Overall Rating: 5.50 in 8 appearances
Community Rating: 5.87
MLS Regular Season: 5.50 in 6 appearances
Leagues Cup: 5.50 in 2 appearances
High = 8 | Low = 4
No doubt on the radar of the more dialed in Tacoma Defiance fans, Snyder Brunell was a surprise addition to the Sounders in 2025, arriving mid-season and forcing his way into the midfield discussion. At only 18 years old, he has incredible potential and burst onto the first team with some inspired play, looking to set up residence for a long time.
How it started: Snyder started the season with Tacoma Defiance, but he quickly demonstrated a skillset that was above their needs, and was signed with the Sounders midway through the year. He saw his first action against Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup, immediately showing zero fear of the Mexican giant, and looking dynamic and exciting against top notch competition. In his first MLS game, he entered against LA Galaxy, found space in the box and finished clean – an impressive debut highlighted by strong movement and a deserved goal.
How it ended: With an 8 rating in a demolition of Sporting KC in August, we saw Snyder’s enormous potential. This was his first MLS start, and boy did he impress. He had the understanding and connection needed to play centrally for Seattle, and his grasp of the game flow meant he was right where he needed to be to score a goal. Pretty impressive stuff. For the rest of the year he continued to show well in limited time, ready to step in as needed in support of the starters.
Where do we go from here? Still extremely young, and with only exits (and potential exits) from the central midfield depth, there is room on the 2026 roster for Brunell to thrive. His biggest deficits may be in physicality and connection with the rest of the team defensively, but Snyder is young and showed so much promise this season that the sky’s the limit for where he can go. He should be consistently pushing for minutes.
#20 Ryan Kent – 2025 Overall Rating: 5.52 in 21 appearances
Community Rating: 5.93
MLS Regular Season: 5.40 in 15 appearances
MLS Playoffs: 5.00 in 1 appearances
Club World Cup: 5.33 in 3 appearances
Leagues Cup: 7.00 in 2 appearances
High = 7 | Low = 5
With Paul Arriola injured early in the year, a scrambling Sounders team looked to their scouting department and made a hardship signing of Ryan Kent. This was a bit of a reclamation project, rescuing a once highly-touted player from a difficult position, but also one with a potentially high upside. Seattle was prepared to quickly sign someone and looked to have pulled off a coup, as Kent brought a strong resume to the Sounders.
How it started: Ryan came in and instantly impressed. His quick feet and vision were on full display as he dominated the wing in a May demolition of St. Louis. In this match, Kent showed constant threat up his left wing but also the finished product of a veteran. Picking out both Nouhou and Obed, he gift wrapped assists to teammates almost at will, and he looked borderline unstoppable off the dribble. His combination of pace and power was a revelation.
How it ended: Kent was playing well in the Leagues Cup when the physical play of Mexican competition caught up to him against Tijuana. A torn muscle meant his regular season was ended, and just when Seattle was catching fire, Ryan was sent to rehab his injury. He diligently worked to get back, eventually returning to availability in the playoffs, but by then his story had been written.
Where do we go from here? Ryan Kent has a fantastic change of pace and the ability to get into the box on the dribble. Once there, he makes good decisions to connect with teammates. A high-floor player, getting hurt at the time he did meant he couldn’t show consistent strong play for long enough to justify his high salary. Consequently, he was not re-signed going forward to 2026. There is quality talent there, but unfortunately not one that fits in the Sounders’ budget.
