Seattle Sounders v Charlotte FC: Schmetzer concentrating on silverware forward of busy season

Brian Schmetzer is aiming for silverware forward of a busy season for the Seattle Sounders, who open their MLS marketing campaign on Saturday and are constructing in the direction of the Membership World Cup.

Schmetzer is ready to begin his ninth full season in control of Seattle on Saturday, when Charlotte FC go to Lumen Discipline.

The Sounders completed fourth within the Western Convention final 12 months, dropping to the eventual MLS Cup winners, the LA Galaxy, within the Western Convention Remaining.

Schmetzer, who has gained three main titles since becoming a member of the group in 2016, is aiming to go additional this marketing campaign.

“Expectations are all the time excessive in Seattle,” he instructed Purpose. “We made it to the convention closing and had been eight minutes away from possibly internet hosting a closing whereas moving into time beyond regulation.

“Credit score to Greg [Vanney] and the Galaxy. Our expectations are all the time to compete for trophies.”

This 12 months will even see Seattle take part in FIFA’s first 32-team Membership World Cup, with the Sounders enjoying host to Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo in June’s group stage.

Requested what it’s going to imply to signify america at that match, Schmetzer stated: “Expectations need to be in line.

“I imply, these are nice groups. We wish to be aggressive. If we might get a consequence, that will be unbelievable.

“Our league has had unbelievable development, even since 2009 when the Sounders got here in, it’s grown exponentially. I feel the league needs us to do nicely.

“So, you already know, we’re undoubtedly with all of that development, with the Membership World Cup in Seattle, after which the [2026] World Cup in Seattle. It’s massive.”

“We come into the season eager to be a profitable membership.”

We sat down with Jesús Ferreira to debate his mindset on why he joined the membership and his ambitions throughout his time right here. pic.twitter.com/yn8xWoTmo3

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) February 21, 2025

Charlotte additionally had a constructive first season below Dean Smith in 2024, ending fifth within the Jap Convention, solely to lose two penalty shoot-outs to Orlando Metropolis within the playoffs.

They’ve introduced in Wilfried Zaha in an attention grabbing mortgage transfer from Galatasaray, additionally signing former Fulham captain Tim Ream, and are anticipated to problem once more this time period.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak recorded 16 assists within the 2024 common season, equalling Nicolas Lodeiro’s membership report for the Sounders, set again in 2018.

He recorded main assists to eight totally different team-mates final season, tied for essentially the most totally different team-mates instantly assisted throughout the entire league final season.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang’s 16 objective contributions (10 objectives, six assists) in 2024 matched Charlotte’s membership report Karol Swiderski set in 2022 and matched in 2023.

Agyemang averaged 0.49 objectives per 90 minutes final season, the very best by any Charlotte participant that performed 1000 or extra minutes in a season.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Charlotte closed the 2024 common season with 4 wins and a draw of their final 5 matches, with the ensuing 13 factors essentially the most the membership has ever recorded in a five-match span.

The Crown gained their final three matches of the common season and will now make it 4 straight league wins for the primary time in group historical past.