Seattle Sounders are set to get their 2025 Major League Soccer campaign underway on Saturday, with Charlotte FC awaiting them at the CenturyLink Field.
The hosts kicked off their campaign with a victory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, while the visitors are set to compete in their first competitive game of the year.
Match preview
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Since joining MLS as an expansion team in 2009, Seattle Sounders have enjoyed significant success, including qualifying for the playoffs in 15 of the 16 seasons.
While they qualified for the MLS Cup in all of the first seven years, it took until Brian Schmetzer took charge in 2016 for Seattle to win their first MLS championship, defeating Toronto on penalties in the final.
They have since won another MLS Cup, finished as runners-up twice and most recently suffered elimination in the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions LA Galaxy - a result they will be aiming to improve upon this season.
Schmetzer's men enjoyed a strong preseason in preparation to achieve that goal, winning two and drawing two of their four outings, while they started their competitive campaign on a positive note, defeating Antigua 3-1 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Seattle will also draw confidence from their positive record against Charlotte FC, having avoided defeat in their two previous meetings with one win and one draw.
As for Charlotte FC, they have quickly risen up the rankings since joining MLS as an expansion side in 2022, finishing 19th in 2022 and 2023 and rising to 11th in 2024.
The Crown have also qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs in the last two years, being eliminated in the wild card round in 2023 and from the first round last campaign, losing to Orlando on penalties in the third match of the best of three series.
With an aim of advancing deeper into the MLS Cup playoffs in pursuit of their first-ever MLS championship, Charlotte FC superbly strengthened their squad with several key additions, including Eryk Williamson and, most notably, Wilfried Zaha.
Dean Smith's side have, however, experienced a mixed preseason, winning only three of their seven friendly fixtures, alongside two losses and two draws, though they did defeat Portland Timbers in their latest outing.
Charlotte FC will have to improve upon their away form since joining MLS if they are to secure their first-ever victory against Seattle, having lost 28 times on the road compared to just 12 wins.
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Team News
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After securing a commanding 3-1 win against Antigua in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Schmetzer could decide to name a largely unchanged starting team for this match.
Albert Rusnak came off the bench to score in the 95th-minute of that victory, and the attacking midfielder could play from the start in place of new signing Jesus Ferreira.
As for Charlotte FC, several of the new signings are likely to come straight into the starting team, with former Premier League stars Tim Ream and Ashley Westwood expected to be joined by Zaha.
Elsewhere, captain Westwood is anticipated to keep his place in the heart of the midfield, while Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang could feature alongside Zaha in forward areas.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A. Roldan, Andrade, Ragen, Tolo; Vargas, C. Roldan; De la Vega, Rusnak, Arriola; Morris
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Ream, Privett; Bronico, Westwood, Bender; Zaha, Agyemang, Abada
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC may be significantly strengthened by the addition of Zaha, but given Seattle's strong record against the Crown and the visitors' challenges on the road since joining MLS, we are anticipating a home win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
