RENTON — It has been about five weeks since the Seattle Sounders last played a competitive match. Their next match is still more than two weeks away. This midseason break — caused by the United States’ hosting of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup — is virtually as long as some offseasons.
Unlike preseasons, though, the Sounders will not have an opportunity to play multiple friendlies to get back up to speed.
In lieu of those more formalized matches, the Sounders are instead relying on scrimmages like the one they played on Thursday. The match pitted two mixed groups made up of everyone from starters to a few academy players and ended in a 1–1 tie with Paul Rothrock scoring for the “black” team and Jesús Ferreira answering for the “grays.”
Rothrock’s goal came off a nice passing sequence with Jordan Morris bodying Jackson Ragen off the ball and then sending in a cross that set up a back-post finish, while Ferreira’s was an absolute laser from about 25 yards out.
Along the way, there were several heated moments as the players seemed to be relishing an opportunity to get their competitive juices flowing.
“A couple of guys getting after each other today is a good thing,” Rothrock told the media after training. “I think we need more of that. I think you guys probably saw different people holding each other accountable and different people getting into challenges with each other.
“I’m feeling positive about where the group’s at and I think we’ve gotten better in some areas too. I think we’re all excited.”
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer was pleased with he saw as well, praising the quality of the goals and generally speaking well of the players’ relative sharpness
“They see Portland on the ticket,” Schmetzer said. “They know they’re going to play on the grass in a stadium that’s a different feel. I think they’re ready to go.”
Injury updates
The only first-team players who did not participate in the scrimmage were Alex Roldan and Pedro de la Vega. Schmetzer said Roldan is nursing a hip injury that he didn’t seem to think was too serious, while de la Vega was given the day off as part of his scheduled rehabilitation. While Schmetzer did not indicate that de la Vega has had any setbacks, his timeline for a return does seem to have been pushed back.
“We’ll be cautious with him,” Schmetzer said. “He’s got to have a good block of training everyday with the first group just to make sure his knee is stable. I would say closer to the end of the month is when you’d probably see him.”
Enjoying the World Cup
Like many of us, the Sounders players and coaches have been seeing the overwhelming positive reviews of Seattle's soccer culture from visiting fans and media. Schmetzer, in particular, was almost beaming as he talked about the atmosphere at not just the games but the various watch parties he’s attended.
"I was on the barge and I am sitting there looking up at the steps that lead up to Pike Place Market, and they were full of people because they couldn’t get into the thing," he said. "People were lining up on the steps going up Pike Place Market. … No viaduct anymore. It was beautiful. It was such a good feeling just to walk around with people and enjoy good soccer."
Rothrock said he’s managed to get tickets for 4 of 5 matches and has been particularly struck by the diversity of the groups.
"They’ve all been fun for different reasons," he said. "What’s been cool about it is just sitting in the stands and seeing how international it is. I was at the Iran-Egypt game and I was next to an Iranian guy and a Mexican guy on the other side and two Koreans in front of us. I think that's pretty cool, how global this game is."
