2023 Seattle Sounders FC season

Last updated

Seattle Sounders FC
2023 season
Seattle Sounders FC wordmark.svg
General manager Craig Waibel
Head coach Brian Schmetzer
Stadium Lumen Field
Major League Soccer Conference: 2nd
Overall: 7th
MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semi-finals
U.S. Open Cup Round of 32
FIFA Club World Cup Second round
Leagues Cup Group stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Jordan Morris (11)
All: Jordan Morris (14)
Highest home attendanceLeague: 42,054
(June 3 vs. Portland) [1]
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 30,011
(Mar. 4 vs. Salt Lake) [1]
Average home league attendance32,161 [1]
Biggest winLeague: 4–0 vs. Colorado (Feb. 26) [1]
Biggest defeatLeague: 1–4 at Portland (Apr. 15) [1]
  2022
2024  

The 2023 season was the 40th season of Seattle Sounders FC, a professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was their 15th year in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of American soccer, and the 40th season played by a professional team bearing the Sounders name, which originated in 1974 with the first incarnation of the franchise. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his seventh full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.

Contents

Seattle had won the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League and qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup, which was played in early February. Following a preseason camp in Spain, the team traveled to Morocco and played Egypt's Al Ahly in the second round, where they lost 1–0. The Sounders returned to the United States and played in the MLS regular season from February to October; they finished second in the Western Conference and qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season. In the playoffs, the Sounders eliminated FC Dallas in a best-of-three series but lost to defending champions Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The team entered the 2023 U.S. Open Cup in the third round and defeated San Diego Loyal SC of the USL Championship before losing to the LA Galaxy in the round of 32. The Sounders also played in the 2023 Leagues Cup, which featured every MLS and Liga MX team, and finished third in their group behind CF Monterrey and Real Salt Lake. Jordan Morris led the team in scoring with 14 goals across all competitions. At their home stadium Lumen Field, the Sounders drew an average attendance of 32,161 during the regular season, the third-best figure in MLS.

Background

Early in the 2022 season, the Sounders won the CONCACAF Champions League by defeating UNAM of Liga MX. They became the first Major League Soccer team to win the CONCACAF Champions League and third to win an international CONCACAF competition. [2] The season ended with the team missing the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in the league, snapping a 13-year streak—among the longest in professional North American sports at the time. [3] [4] Four Sounders players were called up to international teams for the 2022 FIFA World Cup: forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan for the United States; defender Nouhou for Cameroon; and defender Xavier Arreaga for Ecuador. [5]

The 2023 season was the first with jersey sponsor Providence Health & Services. [6] The choice of Providence as sponsor was criticized by fans and several organizations, including the Emerald City Supporters and the Sounders FC Alliance Council, due to the healthcare system's policies on abortion and transgender care, as well as its treatment of low-income patients. [7] It was also the first under a broadcast contract with Apple TV+, which offered all league matches through its MLS Season Pass streaming platform. The club's television play-by-play commentator, Keith Costigan, joined Apple's national broadcast team while other members moved to the retained radio broadcast or other roles. [8] A limited number of MLS matches were also broadcast on U.S. television by Fox Sports, including six that featured the Sounders. [9]

Summary

Preseason and FIFA Club World Cup

Following the end of the 2022 season, general manager Garth Lagerwey departed Seattle to become president of Atlanta United FC. He was replaced by technical director Craig Waibel on November 30. [10] During the offseason, the Sounders exercised their contract options on most of their roster with the exception of forward Will Bruin and midfielder Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez; defender Jimmy Medranda was also released into free agency. [11] The club had 11 players with guaranteed contracts through the 2023 season, including most of their veteran squad. [12] In late December, the club acquired forward Héber through a trade with New York City FC. [13] Seattle also signed two Homegrown Players, midfielder Sota Kitahara and goalkeeper Jacob Castro. [14] The club's two SuperDraft picks, forward Eythor Bjørgolfsson and defender Blake Bowen, were signed by reserve side Tacoma Defiance after training with the first team. [15]

The Sounders opened their training camp at Starfire Sports in Tukwila on January 4, 2023, with a full roster of healthy outfield players following the return of João Paulo and Obed Vargas from their 2022 injuries. [16] The team played several intra-squad scrimmages during their Seattle training camp due to difficulty finding MLS and USL Championship teams with open schedules. [17] [18] The Sounders moved to Marbella, Spain, in late January as part of preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup hosted in Morocco the following month. [19] There, the club was split into separate teams for scrimmages on January 28 against two European teams: a scoreless draw with Wolfsberger AC of Austria and a 3–2 loss to Swedish side Hammarby IF. [20] [21]

Seattle entered the Club World Cup in the second round and lost 1–0 to Egypt's Al Ahly, conceding a deflected goal in the 88th minute. [22] They were the first MLS team to play in the Club World Cup and earned $1 million in prize money as a participant. [23] The team were eliminated from the tournament, but a month later qualified for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as one of four CONCACAF entrants—all recent Champions League winners. [24] Following their return from Morocco, the Sounders played a closed-door scrimmage against Louisville City FC of the USL Championship and won 2–1 with a set of rotated lineups. [25] Several players remained in limited training through the end of February due to injuries and fatigue, including Vargas and striker Raúl Ruidíaz. [26]

February and March

Jordan Morris (pictured in 2019) became the first Sounders player to score four goals in an MLS match Minnesota United - MNUFC v Seattle Sounders - MLS Soccer - Allianz Field, St. Paul Minnesota (40824644843) (cropped).jpg
Jordan Morris (pictured in 2019) became the first Sounders player to score four goals in an MLS match

The Sounders opened their MLS regular season campaign on February 26 at home against the Colorado Rapids. The team earned a 4–0 win—Cristian Roldan scored the opening goal of the season and was followed by Jordan Morris ' pair of headers. Héber also scored in his MLS debut for the club. [27] Morris and Héber scored a goal each in the following week's 2–0 victory over Real Salt Lake at home. [28] Héber later suffered a hamstring injury during training and was replaced in the starting lineup by Fredy Montero, who had returned to the Sounders on a renewed one-year contract. Seattle's first away match of the season ended in a 1–0 loss to FC Cincinnati despite the home side earning a red card. A late equalizing goal by Yeimar Gómez Andrade was called off by the video assistant referee due to a foul in the build-up. [29]

The team earned their third home shutout in a scoreless draw with reigning MLS Cup 2022 champions Los Angeles FC. Ruidíaz returned to the starting lineup, but was substituted early due to injury concerns. [30] The Sounders played against Sporting Kansas City with several positional changes due to the absence of six players who had been called up to international teams. Jordan Morris became the first Sounders player to score four goals—all assisted by Léo Chú—in the club's 4–1 victory, their first on the road since July 2022. [31] [32] Morris was moved from the wing to the center forward position to compensate for the loss of Ruidíaz and Héber, but their recovery left the Sounders with more offensive options. In an interview, manager Brian Schmetzer stated that "Sounders fans should be happy because we've got a really freakin' good team." [33]

April

Morris scored his fifth consecutive goal for the club in a 2–1 win over the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The goal was assisted by Chú, who also scored from outside the 18-yard box in the first half. [34] The Galaxy cut the lead by a goal and made several unsuccessful attempts to score an equalizer; the team appealed for a penalty following an alleged handball by Nouhou in stoppage time, but were denied. [35] Goalkeeper Stefan Frei finished the match with seven saves and tied Osvaldo Alonso for the most MLS starts in club history at 322 matches. [34] Brian Schmetzer also became the third-fastest coach in MLS history to reach 100 wins, having done so in 212 matches. [34] During a home match the following week, the Sounders earned a 3–0 victory over expansion team St. Louis City SC to replace them atop the Western Conference. Josh Atencio scored his first career MLS goal, while Raúl Ruidíaz returned as a substitute and scored his first goal since September 2022. [36] [37]

The Sounders traveled to Portland and faced their local rivals, the Timbers, without starting midfielders Cristian Roldan and Albert Rusnák, who were both injured. Ruidíaz scored the opening goal of the match in the 58th minute, but the Timbers scored four goals to earn their fourth consecutive win against the Sounders. [38] After the match, Schmetzer called the result an "emotional punch to the jaw" and said that the Sounders "have to get back to understanding that this is a rivalry"; he also attributed the shift in momentum to his substitution of Léo Chú for Héber and uncharacteristic defensive mistakes. [39] [40] Ruidíaz suffered a hamstring strain during the match and was later ruled out for four to five weeks; [41] Cristian Roldan, still under concussion protocols, and left-back Nouhou were also unavailable for the next match at home against Minnesota United FC. [42] Rusnák scored his first goal of the season in the 1–0 victory over Minnesota in the 79th minute, ending a defensive deadlock that had limited scoring chances for the Sounders. [42]

The club entered the U.S. Open Cup in the third round along with other lower-ranked MLS teams and hosted San Diego Loyal SC of the second-division USL Championship at Starfire Sports in Tukwila. The Sounders fielded a lineup of reserves with eight players making their 2023 debuts—including several players from reserve side Tacoma Defiance on temporary contracts—to rest starters for upcoming league matches. [43] The hosts took a 2–0 lead over San Diego in the opening half-hour, but conceded a penalty in the 53rd minute that was converted by Joe Corona. The Sounders reclaimed their two-goal lead but conceded twice—a free kick from Corona and a long-distance strike by Kyle Adams in stoppage time—to finish regulation time at 3–3. In extra time, Reed Baker-Whiting scored from outside the box for Seattle, but San Diego's Jackson Kasanzu headed an equalizer shortly after entering as a substitute. Kasanzu conceded a penalty in stoppage time that was converted by Fredy Montero for his second goal of the game as the Sounders won 5–4 and advanced in the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2017. [43] [44]

May

The Sounders returned to MLS play with a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake in Utah, where the team had only won once in fifteen previous regular season matches. Defender Kelyn Rowe started the match and left in stoppage time with a knee injury; he had replaced Nouhou after the latter contracted malaria. [45] [46] Defiance defender Cody Baker was signed to a short-term contract to replace Rowe ahead of the next match at home against Sporting Kansas City, which the Sounders would play without the injured Roldan and Ruidíaz, as well as João Paulo for yellow card accumulation. [47] [48] Sporting Kansas City earned their first win of the season after scoring twice in the opening half-hour; Montero earned a penalty for the Sounders in the second half that was converted by Lodeiro, but the team lost 2–1, their first loss and non-shutout at home in 2023. [48] The Sounders were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in the round of 32, played a few days later, by losing 3–1 on the road to the LA Galaxy. The club fielded six reserve and youth players alongside Fredy Montero and Xavier Arreaga, but conceded two goals to Memo Rodríguez in the second half. Paul Rothrock scored his second goal of the tournament for the Sounders from a header in the 68th minute, shortly after Rodríguez's first goal. [49]

A few days after their elimination from the U.S. Open Cup, the team traveled to play the Houston Dynamo with both Baker and Rothrock signing an additional short-term contract to fill in for injured first-team players. The match was disrupted in the first half by a weather delay and included two red cards shown to Dynamo players; the sole goal in the 1–0 away victory was scored by Rothrock in the 87th minute. [50] A total of eight players who appeared during the match against the Dynamo had been developed in the Sounders academy, setting a club record. [51] The Sounders returned home to play Austin FC, who snapped an eight-match winless streak with a 2–1 midweek win at Lumen Field; after several substitutions, Fredy Montero scored for Seattle in the 79th minute and the team unsuccessfully pushed for an equalizer. [52] The Sounders then lost 2–0 on the road to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, conceding a goal to Pedro Vite in the first half and an own goal by Stefan Frei in the second; the result dropped the team to second in the Western Conference. [53]

The Sounders began a three-match homestand with a 1–0 win against the New York Red Bulls, who they played for the first time in four years. Morris scored the lone goal of the match in the 22nd minute, but was substituted three minutes later due to a groin injury; Seattle maintained a shutout despite losing João Paulo, who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the second half. [54] In a midweek home match, the Sounders lost 1–0 to the San Jose Earthquakes, who broke a 14-match away winless streak. Jeremy Ebobisse scored early in the second half as the hosts made 23 shots that forced eight saves out of Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel. [55] The team finished May still atop the Western Conference standings and only one home win in four matches at Lumen Field. [56]

June and July

On June 3, the Sounders and women's team OL Reign held a doubleheader event at Lumen Field, their shared home venue, against their respective Portland rivals. [57] The clubs sold 42,054 tickets to the doubleheader, which began with a scoreless draw between the Sounders and Timbers; it was the 100th MLS shutout for Frei and also marked the return of Cristian Roldan following his concussion. [58] After the match, Schmezter stated that the team had "dropped points" but he "believe[d] in the process that we have" especially as players returned from injuries; the Sounders had only scored four goals over an eight-match stretch that included four losses. [59] The team then traveled to play Charlotte FC with Roldan and Ruidíaz returning to the starting lineup for the first time since early April. The Sounders took the lead three times through a first-half goal by Roldan and a brace from Ruidíaz, but the match ended in a 3–3 draw. [60]

The team took a break from play during the mid-June international window and lost Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, and Alex Roldán to national team call-ups ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Sounders played mid-week on the road against Los Angeles FC and lost 1–0 after conceding a goal in the first minute and struggled to find a chance to equalize. [61] They returned home and played Orlando City SC to a scoreless draw to continue their month-long winless streak; Ruidíaz was absent for the match to attend a family funeral. [62] The five-match winless streak for the Sounders ended on July 1 with a 1–0 win at home against the Houston Dynamo, who again had a player sent off. Rusnák scored the lone goal of the match in the 67th minute. [63]

The Sounders traveled to Vancouver for their next match but would play with goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland replacing Stefan Frei, who had a concussion during training. The team won 3–2 after trailing twice against the Whitecaps and not earning a penalty for a potential handball in the box. Léo Chú scored two equalizing goals in the 60th and 76th minutes from set-pieces that were assisted by defender Jackson Ragen's headers. The winning goal was created in stoppage time by Chú's cross into the box, which was deflected to reach Yeimar Gómez Andrade, who scored from inside the box. [64] In their second away match of the week, the Sounders lost 2–0 to the San Jose Earthquakes, who won the Heritage Cup as a result. San Jose scored from a penalty kick in the 19th minute and a volley shot off a corner kick in the second half, while Seattle were limited to two shots on goal. [65] The Sounders returned home to face FC Dallas with their full contingent of starting players after the conclusion of the Gold Cup. The teams played to a 1–1 draw that began with an own goal by Dallas defender Sam Junqua and was followed by a Bernard Kamungo header to equalize in the first half. Seattle entered the Leagues Cup break at fourth place in the Western Conference. [66]

Leagues Cup

The starting lineups for the Sounders and Liga MX club C.F. Monterrey in their 2023 Leagues Cup group stage match on July 30. 2023 Leagues Cup - Seattle vs. Monterrey - combined starting lineups.jpg
The starting lineups for the Sounders and Liga MX club C.F. Monterrey in their 2023 Leagues Cup group stage match on July 30.

In July and August, MLS play halted for the Leagues Cup, an international competition with Liga MX clubs hosted in the United States and Canada. [67] The Sounders were drawn into group West 2 alongside Real Salt Lake and Liga MX's Monterrey. [68] They opened the tournament on the road with a loss to Real Salt Lake after a scoreless first half. The Sounders made several half-time substitutions and called for a penalty early, but instead conceded from a counter-attack while disputing the referee's non-call. Real Salt Lake defender Marcelo Silva was shown a red card in the 60th minute for a foul, but the hosts won 3–0. [69] The Sounders hosted Monterrey in the final matchday of the group stage and scored two goals in the first ten minutes, but then conceded four goals—including a hat-trick by Germán Berterame—to lose 4–2. The team were eliminated from the Leagues Cup and finished third in group West 2; their next match would be 20 days later in mid-August. [70]

August and September

The Sounders returned to regular season play on August 20 by hosting Atlanta United FC at Lumen Field under hazy conditions due to nearby wildfires. The team lost 2–0 as Atlanta's Giorgos Giakoumakis scored in the 11th and 65th minutes to beat Stefan Frei, who had been named captain and set a new club record for appearances in all competitions with his 340th match. The Sounders had several chances in the second half, but were unable to convert them. [71] In their next match, on the road against Minnesota United FC, the Sounders made several positional changes and earned a draw. Both goals in the 1–1 draw were created through headers by Yeimar—a 17th-minute goal for the Sounders and an own goal in the second half—and Frei made three saves in the last minutes of the game. [72]

The team ended their six-match run without a win by defeating Austin FC 2–1 during an away game at the end of August. The Sounders took the lead early in the second half through Jordan Morris while Frei made several saves to prevent Austin from scoring a second goal; both Morris's goal and a Frei save minutes later were reviewed by the video assistant referee but allowed to stand. The winning goal was scored at the beginning of stoppage time by Albert Rusnák after he received a rebound from an earlier shot by Obed Vargas. [73] The Sounders then hosted the Portland Timbers in their penultimate Cascadia Cup fixture of the season; the home side took a 2–0 lead in the first half through goals by Raúl Ruidíaz and Léo Chú, who was sent off in the 53rd minute for his second yellow card of the match. The Timbers equalized through a pair of goals three minutes apart, but were held to a 2–2 draw after several saves from Frei. The two goals were the most the Sounders had scored at Lumen Field since April but extended a six-year home winless streak against the Timbers. [74] [75]

The Sounders began a three-match road trip by playing FC Dallas to a 1–1 draw that saw the return of Cristian Roldan following his concussion treatments. Dallas took the lead in the first half, but Alex Roldán's volley off a cross by Reed Baker-Whiting in the 57th minute tied the score. [76] The team traveled to play the Colorado Rapids later in the week and won 2–1 to maintain their second-place rank in the Western Conference. Chú returned from his suspension to score the opening goal in the 34th minute, which was followed by Rusnák's header in the second half from a Cristian Roldan cross; the Rapids scored in the 80th minute, but were unable to find an equalizer and lost to the Sounders at home for the first time since 2018. [77] After a one-week bye, they finished the road trip with a scoreless draw against Nashville SC. Héber's goal for the Sounders in the 58th minute was disallowed after video review due to an offside. [78]

October

The team clinched a playoff berth on October 4 with their 2–1 defeat of the LA Galaxy, their first home win since July. The Sounders took the lead in the ninth minute through a header from Jordan Morris, but conceded an equalizer early in the second half; Cristian Roldan scored the winning goal in stoppage time off a throw-in by Alex Roldan that was headed towards him by Josh Atencio. [79] Seattle's final home regular season match was played three days later against Vancouver Whitecaps FC with 33,666 in attendance. It finished in a scoreless draw as Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka made five saves. The result dropped the Sounders to third in the Western Conference. [80]

On Decision Day, the Sounders defeated conference leaders St. Louis City SC 2–0 on the road and clinched second in the Western Conference; [81] with a loss, the team could have finished as low as sixth. [82] Both goals were scored in the first half, beginning with Rusnák's shot from distance in the 23rd minute, which was followed by Reed Baker-Whiting's attempt that was deflected by Tim Parker as an own goal. [81] St. Louis were awarded a penalty kick for a foul by Cristian Roldan on Niko Gioacchini in the 66th minute, but it was rescinded after video review due to the lack of contact. [83]

Seattle finished the regular season with a 14–9–11 record and were undefeated in their final nine matches. Stefan Frei set a team record for the most shutouts in a season at 14, surpassing his total in the 2017 season. [81] Jordan Morris was the top goalscorer during the regular season with 11 goals in 26 matches. [84] The Sounders had an average attendance of 32,161 spectators per home match, the third highest in the league. [85]

November: MLS Cup Playoffs

As the second-place team in the Western Conference, the Sounders were paired with seventh-placed FC Dallas in the first round of the playoffs, which would be played as a best-of-three series. [84] The team hosted the opening match at Lumen Field and won 2–0 with Rusnák's penalty kick before half-time and a header by Morris off Nouhou's cross in the 74th minute. Stefan Frei made four saves to keep a shutout after several turnovers gave Dallas opportunities to shoot on goal. [86] In the second game, the Sounders lost 3–1 after a penalty kick was awarded to Dallas by the video assistant referee in the 13th minute and a second goal five minutes later. Morris scored after half-time and had another goal that was ruled offside; a foul on Ruidíaz in the 75th minute was recommended for a potential penalty kick by the video assistant referee but was not awarded. [87] A berth in the Conference Semifinals was clinched on November 10 with a 1–0 home victory, giving the Sounders a 2–1 result in the best-of-three series. Rusnák scored the lone goal of the match in the 36th minute amid several Seattle chances that missed or were saved by Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes. [88]

The playoffs paused for three weeks due to an international break and resumed with the Conference Semifinals. [89] The Sounders hosted defending MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference Semifinals on November 26 and lost 1–0 after they conceded a goal to Denis Bouanga in the 30th minute. The Sounders had the majority of chances to score but failed to beat goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who made seven saves. [90] Referee Ted Unkel was criticized by media and fans for his officiating during the match, particularly missed calls that would have been in Seattle's favor. The defeat marked the end of a 19-match unbeaten streak at home in the playoffs for the Sounders and was their first home playoff loss since 2013. [91]

Non-competitive matches

Key

  Win  Draw  Loss  Void  Upcoming fixture

Preseason matches

January 28 Seattle Sounders FC Flag of the United States.svg 0–0 Flag of Austria.svg Wolfsberg Marbella, Spain
4:30 a.m. PST Nouhou Yellow card.svg 85' Report Stadium: Dama de Noche Football Pitches
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors) [92]
January 28 Seattle Sounders FC Flag of the United States.svg 2–3 Flag of Sweden.svg Hammarby Marbella, Spain
7:30 a.m. PST
Report
Stadium: Dama de Noche Football Pitches
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors) [92]
February 18 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 Louisville City FC Tukwila, Washington
10:30 a.m. PST
Report Mares Soccerball shade.svg74'Stadium: Starfire Sports
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)

Competitions

Key

  Win  Draw  Loss  Void  Upcoming fixture

FIFA Club World Cup

The 19th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup took place from February 1 to 11 in Morocco. The Sounders entered in the second round and were drawn against the winner of the first match, to be played between the OFC champion Auckland City FC of New Zealand and the CAF Champions League runners-up Al Ahly of Egypt. [93] The winner of the second round match would play Real Madrid CF, the winners of the UEFA Champions League. [94]

February 4 Second round Seattle Sounders FC Flag of the United States.svg 0–1 Flag of Egypt.svg Al Ahly Tangier, Morocco
9:00 a.m. PST Report
Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Attendance: 30,589
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

Major League Soccer

League tables

MLS Western Conference table (2023)
PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 St. Louis City SC 34171256245+1756Qualification for round one and the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One
2 Seattle Sounders FC 34149114132+953Qualification for round one
3 Los Angeles FC 341410105439+1552
4 Houston Dynamo FC 34141195138+1351
5 Real Salt Lake 34141284850250
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Overall MLS standings table
PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
5 Philadelphia Union 34159105741+1655Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One [a]
6 New England Revolution 34159105846+1255Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One [b]
7 Seattle Sounders FC 34149114132+953Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 [c]
8 Los Angeles FC 341410105439+1552
9 Houston Dynamo FC (U)34141195138+1351Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One and U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 [d]
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(U) U.S. Open Cup winner
Notes:
  1. As 2023 Leagues Cup third place
  2. As second highest-ranked club in 2023 MLS Supporters' Shield not already qualified
  3. As one of the top seven teams in the overall table to not qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
  4. Qualify for both the Champions Cup and U.S. Open Cup as 2023 U.S. Open Cup champions

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
34141194132 +9537641911 +87552221 +1

Last updated: October 21, 2023.
Source: MLS

Results by matchday
Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
StadiumHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHHAAHHAAHAAAHHA
ResultWWLDWWWLWDLWLLWLDDLDWWLDLDWDDWDWDW
Position1166432543333534569886810111098989897
Source: MLS
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Regular season

The Major League Soccer schedule was released on December 20, 2022. [9] The Sounders played 34 matches—mostly against opponents from the Western Conference—during the regular season from February 26 to October 21. [95]

February 261 Seattle Sounders FC 4–0 Colorado Rapids Seattle, Washington
5:00 p.m. PST
Report Cabral Yellow card.svg 87'Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,032
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
March 42 Seattle Sounders FC 2–0 Real Salt Lake Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PST
Report Ojeda Yellow card.svg 62'Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,011
Referee: Victor Rivas
March 113 FC Cincinnati 1–0 Seattle Sounders FC Cincinnati, Ohio
4:30 p.m. PST
Report
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 25,513
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
March 184 Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Los Angeles FC Seattle, Washington
1:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 32,515
Referee: Ismail Elfath
March 255 Sporting Kansas City 1–4 Seattle Sounders FC Kansas City, Kansas
5:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 18,629
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
April 16 LA Galaxy 1–2 Seattle Sounders FC Carson, California
4:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 22,008
Referee: Allen Chapman
April 87 Seattle Sounders FC 3–0 St. Louis City SC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 31,789
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
April 158 (Cascadia) Portland Timbers 4–1 Seattle Sounders FC Portland, Oregon
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 25,218
Referee: Drew Fischer
April 229 Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 Minnesota United FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,025
Referee: Armando Villarreal
April 2910 Real Salt Lake 0–0 Seattle Sounders FC Sandy, Utah
6:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 20,714
Referee: Nima Saghafi
May 711 Seattle Sounders FC 1–2 Sporting Kansas City Seattle, Washington
1:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 31,620
Referee: Victor Rivas
May 1312 Houston Dynamo FC 0–1 Seattle Sounders FC Houston, Texas
5:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 14,061
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Note: The match was paused in the 9th minute due to a weather delay and resumed at 6:50 p.m. PDT. [96]
May 1713 Seattle Sounders FC 1–2 Austin FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,026
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
May 2014 (Cascadia) Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–0 Seattle Sounders FC Vancouver, British Columbia
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: BC Place Stadium
Attendance: 19,108
Referee: Joe Dickerson
May 2715 Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 New York Red Bulls Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 31,032
Referee: Jon Freemon
May 3116 (Heritage) Seattle Sounders FC 0–1 San Jose Earthquakes Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,013
Referee: Ramy Touchan
June 317 (Cascadia) Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
1:30 p.m. PDT Ragen Yellow card.svg 90+2' Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 42,054
Referee: Allen Chapman
Note: Part of a doubleheader with OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC. [97]
June 1018 Charlotte FC 3–3 Seattle Sounders FC Charlotte, North Carolina
4:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Attendance: 31,563
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
June 2119 Los Angeles FC 1–0 Seattle Sounders FC Los Angeles, California
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: BMO Stadium
Attendance: 22,125
Referee: Ted Unkel
June 2420 Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Orlando City SC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,693
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
July 121 Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 Houston Dynamo FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 31,840
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
July 822 (Cascadia) Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–3 Seattle Sounders FC Vancouver, British Columbia
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: BC Place Stadium
Attendance: 16,399
Referee: Ramy Touchan
July 1223 (Heritage) San Jose Earthquakes 2–0 Seattle Sounders FC San Jose, California
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: PayPal Park
Attendance: 13,577
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
July 1524 Seattle Sounders FC 1–1 FC Dallas Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 32,753
Referee: Nima Saghafi
August 2025 Seattle Sounders FC 0–2 Atlanta United FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 31,149
Referee: Allen Chapman
August 2726 Minnesota United FC 1–1 Seattle Sounders FC St. Paul, Minnesota
1:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 19,812
Referee: Timothy Ford
August 3027 Austin FC 1–2 Seattle Sounders FC Austin, Texas
5:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Q2 Stadium
Attendance: 20,738
Referee: Drew Fischer
September 228 (Cascadia) Seattle Sounders FC 2–2 Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 37,031
Referee: Jon Freemon
September 1629 FC Dallas 1–1 Seattle Sounders FC Frisco, Texas
5:30 p.m. PDT
Report Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 19,096
Referee: Allen Chapman
September 2030 Colorado Rapids 1–2 Seattle Sounders FC Commerce City, Colorado
6:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 12,548
Referee: Filip Dujic
September 3031 Nashville SC 0–0 Seattle Sounders FC Nashville, Tennessee
5:30 p.m. PDT
Report Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 28,291
Referee: Chris Penso
October 432 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 LA Galaxy Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,495
Referee: Victor Rivas
October 733 (Cascadia) Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 33,666
Referee: Nima Saghafi
October 2134 (Decision Day) St. Louis City SC 0–2 Seattle Sounders FC St. Louis, Missouri
6:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: CityPark
Attendance: 22,423
Referee: Jair Marrufo

MLS Cup Playoffs

The 2023 edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs was contested by the top nine teams in each conference beginning on October 25 and culminating with the MLS Cup final on December 9. The top seven teams in the conference qualified for Round One, a best-of-three series, along with the winner of a wild card match between the eighth and ninth seeds. The remaining rounds were single-elimination matches. [98]

Round One
October 30Game 1 Seattle Sounders FC 2–0 FC Dallas Seattle, Washington
6:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 30,741
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
November 4Game 2 FC Dallas 3–1 Seattle Sounders FC Frisco, Texas
6:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 19,096
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
November 10Game 3 Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 FC Dallas Seattle, Washington
7:00 p.m. PST
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 33,048
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Note: Seattle Sounders FC won the series 2–1.
Conference Semifinals
November 26 Seattle Sounders FC 0–1 Los Angeles FC Seattle, Washington
6:30 p.m. PST
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 33,649
Referee: Ted Unkel

U.S. Open Cup

The Sounders entered the 2023 U.S. Open Cup in the third round as part of the lower tranche of MLS teams, as determined by their final position in the 2022 regular season. The third round's matchups were decided in a regionalized draw on April 6. [99]

April 26 R3 Seattle Sounders FC 5–4 (a.e.t.) San Diego Loyal SC Tukwila, Washington
7:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Starfire Sports Stadium
Attendance: 3,728
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández
May 10 Ro32 LA Galaxy 3–1 Seattle Sounders FC Carson, California
7:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 8,412
Referee: Matt Geringer

Leagues Cup

The 2023 Leagues Cup, an expanded version of the inter-league competition between MLS and Liga MX hosted in the United States and Canada, began on July 21. All MLS matches were paused until the end of the tournament on August 19. The Sounders were drawn into group West 2 alongside Real Salt Lake and Liga MX's Monterrey; [68] the schedule for the tournament was announced on March 9, 2023. [100] MLS teams played a minimum of two matches in the tournament, of which they hosted at least one. [101]

July 22GS Real Salt Lake Flag of the United States.svg 3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC Sandy, Utah
6:30 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 10,507
Referee: Guillermo Pacheco Larios
July 30GS Seattle Sounders FC Flag of the United States.svg 2–4 Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey Seattle, Washington
6:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 33,508
Referee: Bryan López

Group stage standings

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification MON RSL SEA
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey 2200072+56Advance to knockout stage 3–0 4–2
2 Flag of the United States.svg Real Salt Lake 210013303 3–0
3 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 200022750
Source: Leagues Cup
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Players

For the 2023 season, the Sounders were permitted a maximum of 30 signed players on the first team, of which 10 roster positions were designated for supplemental and reserve players. [102] A base salary cap of $5.21 million applied to the non-supplemental players with exceptions for certain categories, including the club's three designated players—Nicolás Lodeiro, Raúl Ruidíaz, and Albert Rusnák—who each counted for a reduced amount. [102] [103] Seattle's player wages at the end of the season totaled approximately $19.2 million, ranking seventh among MLS teams. [104] The Sounders were allocated eight international slots that could be filled by players from outside the United States who did not have a green card. [105] By the end of preseason, the team had three remaining open slots and two occupied slots; the other three were sold to other teams. [106]

Roster

As of August 15, 2023 [107]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad includes all players who had first team contracts or appearances during the 2023 season across all competitions. Ages listed for each player is calculated from February 26, 2023, the first matchday of the MLS regular season.

Seattle Sounders FC first team roster [107]
No.NameNationalityPositionAgeSignedPrevious clubNotes
3 Xavier Arreaga Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador DF 282019Flag of Ecuador.svg  Barcelona S.C.  (ECU)
5 Nouhou Tolo Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon DF 252017Flag of the United States.svg  Seattle Sounders FC 2  (USA)
6 João Paulo Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil MF 312020Flag of Brazil.svg  Botafogo  (BRA)
7 Cristian Roldan Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 272015Flag of the United States.svg  Washington Huskies  (USA)
9 Raúl Ruidíaz Flag of Peru (state).svg  Peru FW 322018Flag of Mexico.svg  Morelia  (MEX) DP
10 Nicolás Lodeiro ( c )Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay MF 332016Flag of Argentina.svg  Boca Juniors  (ARG) DP
11 Albert Rusnák Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia MF 282022Flag of the United States.svg  Real Salt Lake  (USA) DP
12 Fredy Montero Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia FW 352021Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Vancouver Whitecaps FC  (CAN)
13 Jordan Morris Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 282016Flag of the United States.svg  Stanford Cardinal  (USA) HGP
16 Alex Roldán Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador DF 262018Flag of the United States.svg  Seattle Redhawks  (USA)
19 Héber Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil FW 312023Flag of the United States.svg  New York City FC  (USA)
21 Reed Baker-Whiting Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 172021Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
22 Kelyn Rowe Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 312021Flag of the United States.svg  New England Revolution  (USA)
23 Léo Chú Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil MF 222021Flag of Brazil.svg  Grêmio  (BRA) International
24 Stefan Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland GK 362014Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Toronto FC  (CAN)
25 Jackson Ragen Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 242022Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
26 Andrew Thomas Flag of Russia.svg  Russia GK 242021Flag of the United States.svg  Stanford Cardinal  (USA)
28 Yeimar Gómez Andrade Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia DF 302020Flag of Argentina.svg  Unión de Santa Fe  (ARG) International
29 Jacob Castro Flag of the United States.svg  United States GK 232023Flag of the United States.svg  San Diego State Aztecs  (USA) HGP
30 Stefan Cleveland Flag of the United States.svg  United States GK 282020Flag of the United States.svg  Chicago Fire  (USA)
32 Hal Uderitz Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 232023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Short-term loan
33 Cody Baker Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 192023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
35 Paul Rothrock Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 242023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
38 Eythor Bjørgolfsson Flag of Norway.svg  Norway FW 222023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Short-term loan
39 Stuart Hawkins Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 162023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
45 Ethan Dobbelaere Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 202020Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
73 Obed Vargas Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 172021Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
77 Sota Kitahara Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 202023Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
84 Josh Atencio Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 212020Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
92 Abdoulaye Cissoko Flag of France.svg  France DF 232021Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
99 Dylan Teves Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 222022Flag of the United States.svg  Washington Huskies  (USA) HGP

Other players

As of May 10, 2023

Players called up to the first team from Tacoma Defiance for matches outside the regular season and playoffs, such as the U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup, are listed here.

Temporary Seattle Sounders FC players
No.NameNationalityPositionAgePrevious clubNotes
31 Travian Sousa Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 21Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Called up for U.S. Open Cup [108]
93 Georgi Minoungou Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast MF 20Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Called up for U.S. Open Cup [109]

On loan

Seattle Sounders FC players on loan
No.NameNationalityPositionAgeSignedOn loan toNotes
26 Andrew Thomas Flag of Russia.svg  Russia GK 242021Flag of the United States.svg  New Mexico United  (USA)Loaned until the end of the USLC season [110]
75 Danny Leyva Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 192019Flag of the United States.svg  Colorado Rapids  (USA) HGP; loaned until the end of the season [111]

Appearances and goals

A total of 27 players made at least one appearance for the Sounders during the 2023 season across all competitions. Midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro and defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade appeared in the most matches (40); Stefan Frei made the most appearances as goalkeeper, at 38 matches. [112] [113] Jordan Morris was the team's leading goalscorer in 2023 with 14 goals, while captain Nicolás Lodeiro had the most assists at 11 in the regular season and playoffs. [113] [114]

Player statistics (all competitions) [112] [113]
No.PlayerNat.Pos. Regular season Playoffs Leagues Cup U.S. Open Cup Club World Cup Total Discipline
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Yellow card.svg Red card.svg
3 Xavier Arreaga Flag of Ecuador.svg  ECU DF1400000200016000
5 Nouhou Tolo Flag of Cameroon.svg  CMR DF2804020001035080
6 João Paulo Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA MF3104020101039081
7 Cristian Roldan Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF1634010001022320
9 Raúl Ruidíaz Flag of Peru (state).svg  PER FW1853020001024510
10 Nicolás Lodeiro Flag of Uruguay.svg  URU MF3314011101040260
11 Albert Rusnák Flag of Slovakia.svg  SVK MF3254220001039750
12 Fredy Montero Flag of Colombia.svg  COL FW1710000221020300
13 Jordan Morris Flag of the United States.svg  USA FW261142210010331400
16 Alex Roldán Flag of El Salvador.svg  SLV DF2814020001035150
19 Héber Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA FW2220020001025200
21 Reed Baker-Whiting Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF1901010210023100
22 Kelyn Rowe Flag of Ecuador.svg  ECU MF901000100011000
23 Léo Chú Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA MF3254020100039561
24 Stefan Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI GK3204010001038000
25 Jackson Ragen Flag of the United States.svg  USA DF3204020001039090
26 Andrew Thomas Flag of Russia.svg  RUS GK00000000000000
28 Yeimar Gómez Andrade Flag of Colombia.svg  COL DF3324020001040271
29 Jacob Castro Flag of the United States.svg  USA GK00000000000000
30 Stefan Cleveland Flag of the United States.svg  USA GK20001020005000
31 Travian Sousa Flag of the United States.svg  USA DF800000200010000
32 Hal Uderitz Flag of the United States.svg  USA DF80000010009000
33 Cody Baker Flag of the United States.svg  USA DF1200010200015030
35 Paul Rothrock Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF41000022006300
38 Eythor Bjørgolfsson Flag of Norway.svg  NOR FW00000010001000
39 Stuart Hawkins Flag of the United States.svg  USA DF00000000000000
45 Ethan Dobbelaere Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF30000021005100
73 Obed Vargas Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF2202020100027000
77 Sota Kitahara Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF10000020003000
84 Josh Atencio Flag of the United States.svg  USA MF2214020201031150
92 Abdoulaye Cissoko Flag of France.svg  FRA DF20001020005010
93 Georgi Minoungou Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV MF00000010001000
99 Dylan Teves Flag of the United States.svg  USA FW1300010200016000

Coaching staff

As of October 29, 2022 [115]
Technical staff
Head coachFlag of the United States.svg  Brian Schmetzer  (USA)
Assistant coachFlag of the United States.svg  Preki  (USA)
Director of goalkeepingFlag of the United States.svg  Tom Dutra  (USA)
Assistant coachFlag of the United States.svg  Freddy Juarez  (USA)
Assistant coachFlag of England.svg  Andy Rose  (ENG)

Transfers

The MLS season has two transfer windows during which teams could register new players from outside of the league and those who required an International Transfer Certificate. The primary window was scheduled from January 31 to April 24; it was followed by a secondary window from July 5 to August 2 and a roster freeze date of September 15. [102] Between the transfer windows, teams are allowed to sign free agents or other U.S.-based players, including those traded between MLS teams for other players, general allocation money, or various league slots. [102] [116]

For transfers in, dates listed are when Seattle Sounders FC officially signed the players to the roster. Transactions where only the rights to the players are acquired are not listed. For transfers out, dates listed are when Seattle Sounders FC officially removed the players from its roster, not when they signed with another club. If a player later signed with another club, his new club will be noted, but the date listed here remains the one when he was officially removed from the Seattle Sounders FC roster. [117]

In

No.Pos.PlayerPrevious teamNotesDate [117]
77FWFlag of the United States.svg  Sota Kitahara  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Homegrown signingOctober 28, 2022 [118]
29GKFlag of the United States.svg  Jacob Castro  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  San Diego State Aztecs  (USA)Homegrown signing through 2023December 13, 2022 [119]
19FWFlag of Brazil.svg  Héber  (BRA)Flag of the United States.svg  New York City FC  (USA)Trade for $400,000 in general allocation money (GAM) and $150,000 in potential GAM based on performanceDecember 29, 2022 [13]
33DFFlag of the United States.svg  Cody Baker  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Short-term loan [120]
Signed full contract on May 16 [121]
May 2023
May 16, 2023 (full contract)
35MFFlag of the United States.svg  Paul Rothrock  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Short-term loan [50]
Signed full contract on August 15 [122]
May 13, 2023
August 15, 2023 (full contract)
32DFFlag of the United States.svg  Hal Uderitz  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Short-term loan [123] July 1, 2023
39DFFlag of the United States.svg  Stuart Hawkins  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Homegrown signing through 2026 with options for 2027 and 2028September 13, 2023 [124]

Draft picks

Draft picks were not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract were listed as transfers in. Only trades involving draft picks and executed after the start of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft are listed in the notes.

2023 MLS SuperDraft picks for Seattle Sounders FC
PlayerRound [125] Pick [125] Pos. [125] Previous team [125] Notes
Flag of Norway.svg  Eythor Björgolfsson  (NOR)2nd38FWFlag of the United States.svg  Kentucky Wildcats  (USA)Signed with Tacoma Defiance. [15]
Flag of the United States.svg  Blake Bowen  (USA)3rd59DFFlag of the United States.svg  San Diego State Aztecs  (USA)Signed with Tacoma Defiance. [15]

Out

No.Pos.PlayerNew teamNotesDate [117]
17FWFlag of the United States.svg  Will Bruin  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Austin FC  (USA)Option declinedOctober 25, 2022 [11]
87FWFlag of the United States.svg  Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Austin FC  (USA)Option declinedOctober 25, 2022 [11]
94DFFlag of Colombia.svg  Jimmy Medranda  (COL)Flag of the United States.svg  Columbus Crew  (USA)Out of contractOctober 25, 2022 [11]
14FWFlag of the United States.svg  Samuel Adeniran  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  St. Louis City SC  (USA)Trade for $100,000 in general allocation moneyDecember 15, 2022 [126]
75MFFlag of the United States.svg  Danny Leyva  (USA)Flag of the United States.svg  Colorado Rapids  (USA)On loan until end of season; traded for 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick and $92,000 in general allocation moneyApril 24, 2023 [111]
26GKFlag of Russia.svg  Andrew Thomas  (RUS)Flag of the United States.svg  New Mexico United  (USA)On loan until end of the USLC seasonSeptember 1, 2023 [110]

Player awards

Two Sounders players were finalists for MLS's year-end individual awards: Yeimar Gómez Andrade for Defender of the Year and João Paulo for Comeback Player of the Year for his recovery from a 2022 anterior cruciate ligament injury. Stefan Frei, who had the most shutouts in the 2023 regular season, was not nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year. [127] No Sounders players won league awards or were named to the MLS Best XI. [128] Frei was named the Sounders' most valuable player and humanitarian of the year in the team's annual awards, which were announced in December 2023. [129]

MLS Player of the Matchday

WeekPlayerOpponent
5 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Morris [130] Sporting Kansas City
24 Flag of Brazil.svg Léo Chú [131] Vancouver Whitecaps FC

MLS Goal of the Matchday

WeekPlayerOpponentScore (Result)
7Atencio, Josh|Flag placeholder.svg  Josh Atencio  (25x17px) [132] St. Louis City SC 1–0 (3–0)

MLS Team of the Matchday

WeekPlayer(s)Opponent(s)
1XI: Jordan Morris
Bench: Nouhou, Cristian Roldan [133]
Colorado Rapids
2XI: Alex Roldán
Bench: Jordan Morris [134]
Real Salt Lake
5XI: Jordan Morris, Léo Chú [135] Sporting Kansas City
6XI: Léo Chú
Bench: Stefan Frei, Jordan Morris [136]
LA Galaxy
7XI: Josh Atencio [137] St. Louis City SC
9XI: João Paulo [138] Minnesota United FC
12XI: Alex Roldán [139] Houston Dynamo
17XI: Nouhou [140] Portland Timbers
18XI: Raúl Ruidíaz [141] Charlotte FC
24XI: Léo Chú, Jackson Ragen
Coach: Brian Schmetzer [142]
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
29XI: Stefan Frei
Bench: Nicolás Lodeiro [143]
Austin FC
32XI: Reed Baker-Whiting [144] FC Dallas
35Bench: Reed Baker-Whiting [145] Nashville SC
36XI: Cristian Roldan
Bench: João Paulo [146]
LA Galaxy
38XI: Jackson Ragen [147] St. Louis City SC

Aftermath

The Sounders finished the season with the best defense in MLS but one of the worst scoring records, blamed on an inability to finish goalscoring chances. The team is expected to make several major offseason transactions to replace players who have left or had their contracts expire. [148] [149] Among the departures was captain Nicolás Lodeiro, who became a free agent and signed with Orlando City SC during the offseason. [150] The 2024 season marks the club's 50th anniversary and includes the use of a new crest and the opening of the Sounders FC Center at Longacres, a new training facility in Renton, Washington. [151]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLS Cup 2020</span> 2020 edition of the MLS Cup

MLS Cup 2020 was the 25th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS), and was played at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The match was originally set to take place on November 7, 2020, but was postponed to December 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the adjusted MLS season schedule. The match was contested by Columbus Crew SC and Seattle Sounders FC, the defending champions from MLS Cup 2019.

The 2020 season was Seattle Sounders FC's twelfth season in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional club soccer in the United States. It was the 37th season played by a professional team bearing the Sounders name, which had originated in 1974 with the first incarnation of the franchise. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his fourth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.

The 2021 Seattle Sounders FC season was the club's thirty-eighth year of existence, and their thirteenth season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his fifth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders. Seattle were the reigning Western Conference champions and lost to Columbus Crew SC in the MLS Cup 3–0.

The 2022 season was Seattle Sounders FC's 14th in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of American club soccer. It was the 39th season played by a professional team bearing the Sounders name. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his sixth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.

The 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final was the final round of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, the 14th edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current name, and overall the 57th edition of the premier soccer club competition organized by CONCACAF, the regional governing body of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Major League Soccer season</span> 29th season of Major League Soccer

The 2024 Major League Soccer season was the 29th season of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and the 46th season overall of a national first-division league in the United States.

The 2024 season was the sixteenth season for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional club soccer in the United States. It was the 41st season for a professional team bearing the Sounders name, which had originated in 1974 with the first incarnation of the franchise. The team remained under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his eighth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.

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