The Seattle Sounders head into 2023 within the unfamiliar place of trying to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Brian Schmetzer’s aspect completed method down in eleventh within the Western Convention, lacking out on the Playoffs for the primary time since changing into an MLS staff in 2009.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t all dangerous for the Sounders, who had the privilege of changing into the first-ever MLS staff to raise the Concacaf Champions League in 2022. Even when issues obtained powerful, Seattle discovered a option to raise silverware.
So, here is the whole lot you might want to find out about the Seattle Sounders forward of the brand new MLS season, together with ways, key gamers, and predictions.
Transfers in
|
Participant |
Former Membership |
Payment |
|---|---|---|
|
Heber |
NYCFC |
$400k (rising to $550k) |
|
Jacob Castro |
San Diego State |
Free switch |
|
Eythor Martin Björgolfsson |
UK Wildcats |
SuperDraft |
|
Blake Bowen |
San Diego State |
SuperDraft |
|
Sota Kitahara |
Tacoma Defiance |
– |
Transfers out
|
Participant |
Membership Joined |
Payment |
|---|---|---|
|
Samuel Adeniran |
St. Louis CITY SC |
$100k (rising to $200k) |
|
Jimmy Medranda |
Columbus Crew |
Free switch |
|
Will Bruin |
Austin FC |
Free switch |
|
Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez |
Austin FC |
Free switch |
|
Eythor Martin Björgolfsson |
Tacoma Defiance |
– |
|
Blake Bowen |
Tacoma Defiance |
– |
Brian Schmetzer returned to his tried and examined 4-2-3-1 formation final 12 months, utilizing Nico Lodeiro as his important outlet in possession, and pushing full-backs excessive to create probabilities from broad areas and cut-backs contained in the field.
What damage Seattle probably the most final 12 months was accidents to plenty of key gamers, with the likes of Raul Ruidiaz, Lodeiro, Joao Paulo, and Obed Vargas all happening at numerous factors all through the season.
If Schmetzer can preserve a wholesome group collectively, there isn’t any cause why Seattle cannot climb again into the higher echelons of the Western Convention. The signing of Heber as skilled cowl for Ruidiaz may show impressed.
Seattle Sounders predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Frei; A.Roldan, Yeimar, Arreaga, Nouhou; Rusnak, Joao Paulo; Roldan, Lodeiro, Morris; Ruidiaz.
Nico Lodeiro
For Lodeiro, at the very least domestically, 2022 was one thing of a quiet 12 months. And but, the previous Ajax playmaker nonetheless managed seven targets and 7 assists in MLS play. What’s extra, he was the chief amongst Sounders gamers in plenty of key metrics, together with probabilities created, passes into the ultimate third, and carries into the ultimate third to call however a couple of.
As talked about, even when Schmetzer is concentrated on creating from broad areas, it is Lodeiro who will get the ball there. When the Sounders are attempting to harm groups centrally, it is him pulling the strings.
At 32 years previous, it would be unreasonable to count on Lodeiro to match the bodily requirements he is managed over the previous few years however with the ball at his ft, there are few in MLS extra lethal. Seattle are gonna want him.
If everybody stays wholesome and kids like Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio can kick on, it is nearly unattainable that the Sounders will not return to the Playoffs.
Fairly the place they end within the West relies upon upon the run of video games gamers like Joao Paulo and Raul Ruidiaz can get going. However as soon as into the post-season, they will be simply as sturdy as ever.
By no means write off the Sounders.
Will the Seattle Sounders qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Sure