2026 Seattle Sounders FC season

Last updated
Seattle Sounders FC
2026 season
General manager Craig Waibel
Head coach Brian Schmetzer
Stadium Lumen Field
Major League Soccer Conference: TBD
Overall: TBD
CONCACAF Champions Cup TBD
2026 Leagues Cup TBD
←  2025
2027 →

The 2026 season will be the 18th season for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional club soccer in the United States. It will be the 43rd 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 tenth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders.

Contents

The Sounders will be play 34 matches in the MLS regular season and also qualified for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup as winners of the 2025 Leagues Cup. [1] The team will also play in the 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup. [2] During the 2025 season, Seattle finished fifth in the Western Conference standings and qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by Minnesota United FC. [3] The Sounders also played in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. [4]

The 2026 season will be the last under the spring–autumn format used by MLS since it began play in 1996. The league plans to use a autumn–spring schedule beginning in late 2027 with a long winter break. [5]

Summary

Preseason

The Sounders opened their 2026 preseason training camp on January 12 and retained most of their roster from the 2025 season. [6] On January 18, the team traveled to Quinta do Lago in Portugal for one week of training and one friendly match at Estádio Algarve. [7] The Sounders are then scheduled to play two friendlies during a camp at the Marbella Football Center in Spain and return to Seattle in February. [7] [8] Among the new signings are midfielders Nikola Petković, who was loaned from Charlotte FC, [9] and two players from reserve team Tacoma Defiance—forward Yu Tsukanome and midfielder Sebastian Gomez. [10]

Non-competitive matches

Preseason

The preseason schedule was released by Seattle Sounders FC on January 22, 2026. [7]

January 23 Seattle Sounders FC 0-2 Brøndby IF Faro–Loulé, Portugal
5:00 am PST Report Benjamin Tahirovic Soccerball shade.svg29', Marko Divkovic Soccerball shade.svg90+1' (pen.)Stadium: Estádio Algarve
February 5 Seattle Sounders FC v Hammarby IF Marbella, Spain
4:00 am PST Stadium: Marbella Football Center
February 5 Seattle Sounders FC v FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv Marbella, Spain
7:00 am PST Stadium: Marbella Football Center
February 15 Seattle Sounders FC v Louisville City FC Renton, Washington
TBAStadium: Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse

Competitions

Major League Soccer

League tables

MLS Western Conference table (2026)
PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPts
10 San Diego FC 00000000
11 San Jose Earthquakes 00000000
12 Seattle Sounders FC 00000000
13 Sporting Kansas City 00000000
14 St. Louis City SC 00000000
First match(es) will be played: February 21, 2026. 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
PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPts
24 San Diego FC 00000000
25 San Jose Earthquakes 00000000
26 Seattle Sounders FC 00000000
27 St. Louis City SC 00000000
28 Sporting Kansas City 00000000
First match(es) will be played: February 21, 2026. 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)

Regular season

The MLS regular season schedule was released on November 20, 2025. The Sounders will play 34 matches—17 at home and 17 away—primarily against the 14 other teams in the Western Conference; the team is scheduled to play six opponents from the Eastern Conference. The regular season will include a six-week break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in May and June. [11] The Sounders will have five consecutive away matches from February to April while Lumen Field undergoes preparations to host the World Cup, including the installation of a grass pitch to temporarily replace the artificial turf. [12]

February 221 Seattle Sounders FC v Colorado Rapids Seattle, Washington
6:00 pm PST Stadium: Lumen Field
February 282 Real Salt Lake v Seattle Sounders FC Sandy, Utah
4:30 pm PST Stadium: America First Field
March 73 St. Louis City SC v Seattle Sounders FC St. Louis, Missouri
5:30 pm PST Stadium: Energizer Park
March 154 (HC) San Jose Earthquakes v Seattle Sounders FC San Jose, California
4:00 pm PDT Stadium: PayPal Park
March 225 Minnesota United FC v Seattle Sounders FC Saint Paul, Minnesota
11:30 am PDT Stadium: Allianz Field
April 46 Houston Dynamo v Seattle Sounders FC Houston, Texas
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
April 127 Seattle Sounders FC v Real Salt Lake Seattle, Washington
6:00 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
April 188 Seattle Sounders FC v St. Louis City SC Seattle, Washington
6:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
April 259 Seattle Sounders FC v FC Dallas Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
May 210 Sporting Kansas City v Seattle Sounders FC Kansas City, Kansas
11:30 am PDT Stadium: Sporting Park
May 911 Seattle Sounders FC v San Diego FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
May 1312 (HC) Seattle Sounders FC v San Jose Earthquakes Seattle, Washington
6:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
May 1613 Seattle Sounders FC v LA Galaxy Seattle, Washington
6:00 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
May 2414 Los Angeles FC v Seattle Sounders FC Los Angeles, California
6:00 pm PDT Stadium: BMO Stadium
July 1615 (CC) Seattle Sounders FC v Portland Timbers Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
July 2216 Austin FC v Seattle Sounders FC Austin, Texas
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Q2 Stadium
July 2517 Philadelphia Union v Seattle Sounders FC Chester, Pennsylvania
4:30 pm PDT Stadium: Subaru Park
August 118 (CC) Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders FC Portland, Oregon
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Providence Park
August 1619 (CC) Seattle Sounders FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC Seattle, Washington
6:00 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
August 1920 Seattle Sounders FC v Austin FC Seattle, Washington
6:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
August 2221 FC Cincinnati v Seattle Sounders FC Cincinnati, Ohio
4:30 pm PDT Stadium: TQL Stadium
August 2922 Seattle Sounders FC v Chicago Fire FC Seattle, Washington
1:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
September 523 Seattle Sounders FC v New York Red Bulls Seattle, Washington
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
September 924 Seattle Sounders FC v Sporting Kansas City Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
September 1225 LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders FC Carson, California
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
September 1926 Colorado Rapids v Seattle Sounders FC Commerce City, Colorado
6:30 pm PDT Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
September 2627 Seattle Sounders FC v Minnesota United FC Seattle, Washington
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
October 1028 New England Revolution v Seattle Sounders FC Foxborough, Massachusetts
4:30 pm PDT Stadium: Gillette Stadium
October 1429 FC Dallas v Seattle Sounders FC Frisco, Texas
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Toyota Stadium
October 1730 Seattle Sounders FC v CF Montréal Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
October 2431 San Diego FC v Seattle Sounders FC San Diego, California
5:30 pm PDT Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
October 2832 Seattle Sounders FC v Houston Dynamo FC Seattle, Washington
7:30 pm PDT Stadium: Lumen Field
October 2433 (CC) Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Seattle Sounders FC Vancouver, British Columbia
TBAStadium: BC Place
November 734 Seattle Sounders FC v Los Angeles FC Seattle, Washington
4:00 pm PST Stadium: Lumen Field

CONCACAF Champions Cup

The Sounders will play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the regional club championship for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, for the ninth season since entering MLS. The team qualified for the tournament as winners of the 2025 Leagues Cup and were granted a bye to the round of 16. [13] Due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Lumen Field, the Sounders will host their round of 16 match at One Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Washington. [14]

Round of 16

TBA First leg TBD v Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC
TBA Report
March 18 Second leg Seattle Sounders FC Flag of the United States.svg v TBD Spokane, Washington
8:00 pm PST Stadium: One Spokane Stadium

Leagues Cup

The Sounders are one of 18 MLS teams that qualified for the 2026 Leagues Cup based on their performance during the 2025 regular season. The tournament begins in early August and concludes in late September with the same format as the 2025 Leagues Cup: three matches in the first phase against teams from Liga MX and a knockout round for the top four teams from each league. [2]

Players

Roster

As of January 22,2026 [15] [16]

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 2025 season across all competitions. Ages listed for each player is calculated from February 21, 2026, the first matchday of the MLS regular season.

Seattle Sounders FC first team roster [15] [17]
No.NameNationalityPositionAgeSignedContract
ends [18] 		Previous clubNotes
4 Ryan Sailor Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 2720262026Flag of the United States.svg  Inter Miami CF  (USA)
5 Nouhou Tolo Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon DF 2820172026Flag of the United States.svg  Seattle Sounders FC 2  (USA)
7 Cristian Roldan Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 3020152027Flag of the United States.svg  Washington Huskies  (USA)
9 Jesús Ferreira Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 2520252027Flag of the United States.svg  FC Dallas  (USA)
10 Pedro de la Vega Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina MF 2520242027Flag of Argentina.svg  Lanús  (ARG) Young DP
11 Albert Rusnák Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia MF 3120222026Flag of the United States.svg  Real Salt Lake  (USA) DP
13 Jordan Morris Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 3120162027Flag of the United States.svg  Stanford Cardinal  (USA) DP; HGP
14 Paul Rothrock Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 2720232029Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
16 Alex Roldán Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador DF 2920182026Flag of the United States.svg  Seattle Redhawks  (USA)
17 Paul Arriola Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 3120252027Flag of the United States.svg  FC Dallas  (USA)
18 Obed Vargas Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico MF 2020212026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
19 Danny Musovski Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 3020242026Flag of the United States.svg  Real Salt Lake  (USA)
20 Kim Kee-hee Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea DF 3620252026Flag of South Korea.svg  Ulsan Hyundai FC  (KOR) International
21 Reed Baker-Whiting Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 2020212026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
24 Stefan Frei ( c )Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland GK 3920142027Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Toronto FC  (CAN)
25 Jackson Ragen Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 2720222027Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
26 Andrew Thomas Flag of Russia.svg  Russia GK 2720212027Flag of the United States.svg  Stanford Cardinal  (USA)
28 Yeimar Gómez Andrade Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia DF 3320202026Flag of Argentina.svg  Unión de Santa Fe  (ARG)
31 Hassani Dotson Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 2820262028Flag of the United States.svg  Minnesota United FC  (USA)
33 Cody Baker Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 2220252025Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
36 Yu Tsukanome Flag of Japan.svg  Japan FW 2520262026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) International
37 Snyder Brunell Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 1820252028Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
39 Stuart Hawkins Flag of the United States.svg  United States DF 1920232026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
44 Nikola Petković Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia MF 2220262026Flag of the United States.svg  Charlotte FC  (USA)On loan
50 Max Anchor Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada GK 2120262026Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Vancouver Whitecaps FC  (CAN)
85 Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 2320252026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)
90 Sebastian Gomez Flag of the United States.svg  United States MF 1920262029Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) HGP
93 Georgi Minoungou Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast MF 2020242028Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA) International
95 Osaze De Rosario Flag of the United States.svg  United States FW 2420252026Flag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)

Coaching staff

As of January 2026 [19] [20]
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 the United States.svg  Ricardo Clark  (USA)

Transfers

The MLS season has two normal transfer windows during which teams can register new players from outside of the league and those who required an International Transfer Certificate. The primary window is open from January 26 to March; a secondary window is scheduled from July 13 to September 2. [21] Teams are required to have their rosters compliant with league rules by February 20 and will be unable to make changes beyond the roster freeze on October 9. [21] 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. [21]

For transfers in, dates listed are when Seattle Sounders FC officially signed the player 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.

In

Incoming transfers for Seattle Sounders FC [16]
PlayerNo. [17] Pos.Previous teamNotesDate
Flag of the United States.svg  Hassani Dotson  (USA)31MFFlag of the United States.svg  Minnesota United FC  (USA)Free agent signed through the 2027–28 season with club options [22] December 16, 2025
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Max Anchor  (CAN)50GKFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Vancouver Whitecaps FC  (CAN)Claimed off end-of-year waivers and signed to one-year contract with club options [23] December 17, 2025
Flag of the United States.svg  Ryan Sailor  (USA)4DFFlag of the United States.svg  Inter Miami CF  (USA)Signed to one-year contract with club option [23] December 17, 2025
Flag of Serbia.svg  Nikola Petković  (SER)44MFFlag of the United States.svg  Charlotte FC  (USA)One-year loan from Charlotte FC in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 MLS SuperDraft and up to $250,000 in general allocation money [24] January 8, 2026
Flag of the United States.svg  Sebatian Gomez  (USA)90MFFlag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Signed to four-year Homegrown Player contract with club option [25] January 13, 2026
Flag of Japan.svg  Yu Tsukanome  (JPN)36FWFlag of the United States.svg  Tacoma Defiance  (USA)Signed to one-year contract with club option [25] January 13, 2026

Out

Outgoing transfers for Seattle Sounders FC
PlayerNo.Pos.New teamNotesDate
Flag of the United States.svg  Leo Burney  (USA)4DFFlag of Ireland.svg  Drogheda United  (IRE)Option declined [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of the United States.svg  Jacob Castro  (USA)29GKOption declined [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of England.svg  Ryan Kent  (ENG)77MFOption declined [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of the United States.svg  Travian Sousa  (USA)3DFOption declined [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jonathan Bell  (JAM)15DFFlag of the United States.svg  Austin FC  (USA) [27] Out of contract [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of Brazil.svg  João Paulo  (BRA)6MFOut of contract [26] November 26, 2025
Flag of the United States.svg  Danny Leyva  (USA)75MFFlag of Mexico.svg  Club Necaxa  (MEX)Transferred for undisclosed amount [28] December 8, 2025

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 2026 MLS SuperDraft are listed in the notes.

2026 MLS SuperDraft picks for Seattle Sounders FC [29]
PlayerNationalityRoundPickPos.Previous teamNotes
Joe Dale Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2nd51MFFlag of the United States.svg  Washington Huskies  (USA)
Stockton Short Flag of the United States.svg  United States 3rd81GKFlag of the United States.svg  Utah Tech Trailblazers  (USA)

Other transactions

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Jayda (August 31, 2025). "Sounders top Messi, Inter Miami for Leagues Cup title; brawl mars finish". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Leagues Cup 2026: Competition dates, format & teams". MLSsoccer.com. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ Rule, Heather (November 8, 2025). "MLS playoffs: Sounders eliminated in Game 3 loss to Minnesota United". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Sounders FC's 2025 Season Comes to an End Following Penalty Shootout Loss to Minnesota" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. November 8, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  5. ↑ Abnos, Alexander (November 13, 2025). "MLS announces calendar change, will play fall-to-spring from 2027 onward". The Guardian. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  6. ↑ Evans, Jayda (January 12, 2026). "Sounders open training camp: 4 questions for the 2026 season". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Sounders FC Announces Updated European Schedule and Roster for 2026 Preseason" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ Oshan, Jeremiah (January 12, 2026). "Sounders preach 'open competition' at first day of preseason". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ Evans, Jayda (January 8, 2026). "Sounders acquire midfielder Nikola Petković on loan". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  10. ↑ Evans, Jayda (January 13, 2026). "Sounders sign two players from Tacoma Defiance". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  11. ↑ Becherano, Lizzy (November 20, 2025). "MLS reveals 2026 schedule with 7-week break for World Cup". ESPN . Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Major League Soccer Releases 2026 Schedule" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2026 Champions Cup Key Details and Qualified Teams" (Press release). CONCACAF. November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Seattle Sounders, Seattle Reign to play matches at ONE Spokane Stadium this spring". The Spokesman-Review . January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Roster". SoundersFC.com. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "All Transfers". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "2026 Sounders FC Preseason Roster". Seattle Sounders FC. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Club Roster Profiles, September 2025". Major League Soccer. September 19, 2025. pp. 1, 30. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Team Staff". SoundersFC.com. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Sounders FC Hires Ricardo Clark as Assistant Coach" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 "MLS transfer windows: Key dates for the 2026 season". MLSsoccer.com. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Sounders FC Signs Free Agent Midfielder Hassani Dotson" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Sounders FC signs free agent defender Ryan Sailor" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. December 17, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Sounders FC Acquires Midfielder Nikola Petković on Loan from Charlotte FC" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Sounders FC Signs Yu Tsukanome and Sebastian Gomez From Tacoma Defiance" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sounders FC Announces Roster Decisions to Conclude 2025 Season" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. November 25, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  27. ↑ Gordon, Colby (December 16, 2025). "Austin FC signs veteran defender Jon Bell in first move of MLS free agency". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Sounders FC Transfers Midfielder Danny Leyva to Club Necaxa of Liga MX" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Sounders FC selects two players in 2026 MLS SuperDraft" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  30. 1 2 "Sounders FC Receives $800,000 in General Allocation Money" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
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