When Seattle Soundlers plays MLS on Saturday night against Austin FC visit, they will see to use the lessons learned during the FIFA Club World Cup.
The sounders moved 0–3–0 in the International Tournament, but they considered South American champion Botafogo (2–1 defeat), perennial laga powerhouse atletico madrid (3–1 defeat) and UEFA Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germen (2–0 setbacks) with the most difficult group.
“In front of our quality target, our composer needs to be better,” said Soundlers Midfielder Christian Rolden. “It was a point of emphasis to go in this year, and we actually saw it in this tournament. When these veterans have their own opportunity, they take full advantage of it. If there is something that we can take away from this big tournament, how can we get better in boxes.”
Saiders coach Brian Shametzer said, “I was very happy with the intensity that the players showed. This is something we are going to strengthen for the remaining of our MLS season because it was one of the things we really focused. The second pressure was technical capacity.
Austin FC (7-7-5, 26 points) and sounders (7-6-5, 26 points) are part of the fourth tie with the fifth place at the Western Conference with San Jose Earthquake and Los Angeles FC.
Austin was inactive later last week after a 2–1 home win against New York Red Bulls on 14 June. Brandon Vazakwez made the winner in that match, his team scored the fifth MLS goal of the season.
Vazakwez and goalkeeper Brad Stewver was nominated in the MLS All-Star team this week who will play Leiga MX All-Stars at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on 23 July.
Stuver said, “You can see that chemistry is building. The group is coming together at the right time, and hopefully we can pursue it through summer,” Austin has earned positive results in Seattle in each of the last two sessions (2–1 win in 2023 and 0–0 draw last year).
“We can already think of getting three points.”
The sounders will be suspended without defenders Nahau Tolo and John Bell. He received the red card in his last MLS match before the international break.
-Bield level media
