With the All-Star Break now behind us, it seems like the perfect time to evaluate how well the Seattle Sounders are doing. One of Major League Soccer’s big teams, there were high hopes for the 2025 campaign after the team made it all the way to the MLS Cup semifinals last season.
Some fans had hoped that the Sounders’ 4th place finish in the Western Conference was a sign, as that was the same position the team went on from to win the championship in 2019. Unfortunately, it was not to be, but there has been a lot of largely impressive form since that title win and the team is looking good this year.
If you have been looking for a sportsbook, you might want to check out mybookie mobile app to put you in the position of making your own selections as the MLS season continues. You might also be hoping that you will be able to justifiably back the Sounders to win it all again. But can Seattle win the MLS Cup this year?
The Season So Far
Brian Schmetzer will probably be pretty happy with the way his Sounders team has played so far this season. As much as Seattle would always want to be playing in the top continental competitions, it is always difficult to get going when the CONCACAF Champions League games vie for importance at the beginning of the MLS domestic season.
A good showing against Cruz Azul couldn’t stop an early exit before the campaign had really gotten going, but it did seem to affect the team’s consistency early on, as it won just one of its first seven league games. That ship has been steadied over the last few months, however, and Seattle went into the All-Star break with six games without a loss. There are some tough games at the beginning of August now, but confidence should be high.
Distractions
It is a peril of being so successful as a football club, but Seattle has had to deal with a number of distractions from the domestic league campaign this year. We have already mentioned the Champions League – but there was also the expanded FIFA Club World Cup to contend with.
Not much was expected of the Sounders, to be honest, but some creditable performances against Botafogo, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain proved that the Sounders – and Major League Soccer as a whole – are not too far behind some of the best leagues in the world.
Now the Sounders will have to deal with the 2025 Leagues Cup during August as well. Although a possible Champions League place is at stake, all of these extra competitions could cause a distraction for a team that is already struggling with injuries. The Sounders should always want to win every game they play, but too many games could come back to bite as the regular season draws to a close.
What Does Seattle Need to Do Now
The simple answer to that question is “win more games”. But Brian Schmetzer will be very aware that he will need to be able to rotate his squad in the coming months to ensure that it is competitive in the league and cups. Team management is key to the Sounders being in a position to be ready for the playoffs in October.
The most immediate priority will be to come back from the All-Star Break in winning form. That will be a tough ask, thanks to a schedule that sees the Sounders face Minnesota, while also navigating the League Cup fixtures. The final three games of the regular season also include two Cascadia Cup clashes, so there is no let-up for this team.
Relying on Jordan Morris
He may only be 30 years old, but Jordan Morris is regarded as a veteran of the Sounders – and Major League Soccer – and a lot of the positive play comes through his attacking style. He has had to deal with a number of injuries during his career, and the news that he will now be out for another spell will concern Sounders fans.
It is not as though it is only Morris that holds the key to Seattle success. But he is hugely influential and Pedro de la Vega has not really gotten going in the Pacific Northwest yet. Danny Musovski will need to step up as a main striker, while Schmetzer will need to utilize a roster that is not one of the deepest in the league. Seattle can do well without Morris – but it will be a test.
Shield or Cup?
In an ideal world, Seattle would win the Western Conference, the Supporters’ Shield, and then the MLS Cup. But the Sounders have proved before that that doesn’t need to be the way for glory and timing form for the playoffs is more important if the ultimate aim is to lift the MLS Cup.
It is not as if the Conference title is out of Seattle’s reach. San Diego may be forging ahead but expansion teams quite often come unstuck as the year goes on. Vancouver, Minnesota, and Portland will all fancy their chances too, so the outcome of games against those three will be crucial.
It does feel as though it will be one of the teams from the East that will claim the Supporters’ Shield this year, however, so just keeping in contention and ensuring a playoff berth is won should probably be more important at the moment. From there, Seattle can concentrate on using homefield advantage as much as possible and working its way through the postseason.
Anything can happen in the playoffs though (just ask Lionel Messi) – and there is no reason why the Sounders won’t be celebrating a third MLS Cup at the end of this year.
