SEAvCLT 101 Preview: All you need to know when the Sounders host Charlotte FC, pres. by Ticketmaster
Thursday, Feb 20, 2025, 06:39 AM
The Seattle Sounders are hosting Charlotte FC on Saturday in the opening match of the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 93.3 KJR FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-9-9 (57 points, 4th West), Charlotte: 14-11-9 (51 points, 5th East)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders and Charlotte FC played to a 3-3 draw in North Carolina on June 10, 2023. Raúl Ruidíaz recorded a brace and Cristian Roldan added another for Seattle, while Jaylin Lindsey, Ashley Westwood and Patrick Agyemang scored for the hosts. This will be the third all-time meeting between the two clubs since Charlotte’s debut MLS season in 2022.
KEY SOUNDERS ROSTER MOVES:
• Added: forward Jesús Ferreira, winger Paul Arriola, defender Kim Kee-hee
• Departed: forward Raúl Ruidíaz, midfielder Josh Atencio, winger Léo Chú, defender Nathan
KEY CHARLOTTE ROSTER MOVES:
• Added: winger Wilfried Zaha, midfielder Eryk Williamson
• Departed: forward Karol Świderski, defender Jere Uronen, midfielder Junior Urso
QUICK TURNAROUND: The Sounders will return to Seattle to host Charlotte just three days after opening their 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup run in Guatemala against Antigua GFC. Seattle will host Antigua in the second leg of the home-and-series First Round series on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: A year after saying goodbye to club legend Nicolás Lodeiro, the Sounders have moved on from forward Raúl Ruidíaz. Sounders General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel made waves with two splashy in-league moves this offseason by bringing in forward Jesús Ferreira and winger Paul Arriola, both from FC Dallas. Still just 24, Ferreira has 53 goals and 34 assists in 163 career appearances in MLS and is a former MLS Best XI selection (2022).
DEFENSIVE FORTITUDE: The Sounders allowed the fewest goals in the league last year, conceding just 35 times in 34 matches. They run back the entire back four in Yeimar (2024 MLS Best XI), Jackson Ragen (2024 MLS Defender of the Year Finalist), Alex Roldan and Nouhou. Seattle also reacquired 2019 MLS Cup-winner Kim Kee-hee, who was a Korean League Best XI defender last season.
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LOCK-DOWN DEFENSE: Charlotte finished second in MLS, right behind the Sounders, in goals allowed last year with just 37 goals allowed. They are led by reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina as well as center back and United States World Cup veteran Tim Ream, who joined from Fulham last summer.
AGYEMANG’S ATTACK: Charlotte was bolstered by the breakout performance of Patrick Agyemang last season, who recorded 10 goals and five assists in just over 1,800 minutes. The 24-year-old also played himself into his first United States Men’s National Team camp and scored twice in his first two caps. Charlotte will be relying on a strong follow-up season, especially with the loan addition of Wilfried Zaha, the former English Premier League and current Galatasaray winger.
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Sounders vs. Charlotte FC: Gamethread
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The Sounders will open their season at 7:30 PM on MLS Season Pass.
SOUNDERS 2, CHARLOTTE 2: Just as it seemed the Sounders were salting it away, Jackson Ragen miscontrolled a ball that caused a defensive scramble that ended with Yeimar scoring an own-goal in the 90+2nd minute.
SOUNDERS 2, CHARLOTTE 1: Jordan Morris tied Raúl Ruidíaz’s franchise record for all-competition goals, bagging his second of the game and his 86th of his career. Albert Rusnák played him in behind.
SOUNDERS 1, CHARLOTTE 1: Adilson Malanda equalized in 36th minute, getting an open look on a header off a Pep Biel corner.
SOUNDERS 1, CHARLOTTE 0: Jordan Morris opened his 2025 account on a first-time finish off a Georgi Minoungou cross.
LINEUPS: The Sounders are opting for only light rotation, swapping out the three attack-oriented midfielders and keeping the other eight players static. That means Albert Rusnák, Paul Rothrock and Georgi Minoungou are in, replacing Jesús Ferreira, Pedro de la Vega and Paul Arriola.
For the 14th time in 16 seasons, the Seattle Sounders will play their first MLS game of the year at home. This time, it’s against Charlotte FC, who they will be playing for the third time ever. The Sounders won their only ever meeting at Lumen Field back in 2022.
Charlotte FC is coming off their best-ever season, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference and allowing the second fewest goals. Only the Sounders allowed fewer goals last year.
The Sounders will be playing on short rest, after traveling to Antigua, Guatemala for Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. The Sounders won that game 3-1, but will likely rotate some as a result. They will play the return leg at home this coming Wednesday.
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OUT: Reed Baker-Whiting – Hamstring
OUT: Brandon Cambridge – Thigh; Jahlane Forbes – Thigh
QUESTIONABLE: Patrick Agyemang – Ankle
REF: Filip Dujic; AR1: Jeremy Hanson; AR2: Adam Garner; 4TH: Elijio Arreguin; VAR: Greg Dopka; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, 7:30 PM PT
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Global Streaming English: MLS Season Pass (Max Bretos & Brian Dunseth)
Global Streaming Spanish: MLS Season Pass (Jorge Perez-Navarro & Marcelo Balboa)
Local Radio: 93.3 KJR-FM Seattle, iHeartMedia (Danny Jackson, Steve Zakuani & Michelle Ludtka)
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)
Is this game available to stream for free? No
Will Sounders radio be available as an alternate feed? Yes
Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.
This is Seattle Sounders vs. Charlotte FC; watch with us
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Step On the Gas | Ingredients of the Match
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025, 01:19 AM
Season four is officially here. The Crown kick off the 2025 season in Seattle as they face the Sounders for the third time in club history. It’s a big test to start the season with high expectations for both clubs coming into the season.
That match kicks off at 10:30 PM ET. So grab some coffee, get your MLS Season Pass on Apple TV ready to go and let’s get this party started.
Here are the Ingredients of the Match for CLTFC to start off the season with a win:
Wilfried Zaha. Pep Biel. Patrick Agyemang.
It’s a newly tooled attack, filled with the addition of world-class star Wilfried Zaha, the re-signing of Pep Biel, and the anticipated full-time number nine that is Patrick Agyemang. Where and how all these pieces meld together with the rest of the squad will be confirmed once the ball is kicked. But you can anticipate an attack that is going to push to score more goals. That’s the name of the game and Charlotte FC are fully aware that if they are to take that next step, it requires… goals.
Dean Smith expressed early in the preseason that a missing piece was a player that could come in and create their own chances and help win matches. Zaha is it. The skill level and ability to take on the opposition one-on-one, create chances and put the ball in the back of the net is all within Wilf’s wheelhouse. Now we see how he can adapt to the MLS game and bring that skill to the CLTFC attack. If he can figure that out fast, any match is winnable. Including a tough road test against a formidable Seattle defense. New face. New Expectations. If Wilf brings the magic right out of the gate, CLTFC can take points away from the Sounders.
One of the league’s top defenses in 2024 is fully intact going into 2025. Consistency. It’s a beautiful thing.
If Charlotte are to find a result in this match, it’s going to take a sound defensive effort to slow down Seattle, who have a newly tooled attack of their own. The Sounders acquired Jesus Ferreria and Paul Arriola from FC Dallas this offseason. Both were thrown right into the mix with the likes of Jordan Morris and Pedro de la Vega in their CONCACAF Champions Cup match earlier this week. That is a high-powered attack. One that has the chance to beat you multiple ways with speed down the flanks or right down the middle.
Now, meet the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year, Kristijan Kahlina. A fully returning backline of Tim Ream, Andrew Privett, Adilson Malanda and Nathan Byrne. We have ourselves a good ‘ole western movie standoff. The game can be won or lost on this matchup alone. If Charlotte FC are to bring points home, they need to rely on their solid defense once again. Keeping their shape and staying organized while facing this brand-new attack will be key. This group has been battle-tested. We can only expect them to be ready to return right back to form.
Oh. Dean Smith also said wine is back for clean sheets this season. What better way to start the season than a nice glass of vino? *ting
In season one, it was always expected that Dean Smith would take time to adapt to the league, learn his team, and implement his ideals into the club. But remember, Charlotte FC came out in match one last season and won. Granted, it was at home, yes. But Dean knows how to get these boys ready for a fight on matchday one.
Newly tooled attack. Sound defense. That’s a recipe for coming out of the gates fast. Dean and the boys have an opportunity to do just that.
Seattle will be coming off short rest after playing Wednesday night in Antigua, Guatemala, for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. With fresh legs, high expectations, and trust in the system, Charlotte FC will feel like they can put the peddle to the floor in match one. Press high, be daring, attack with purpose, and CLTFC can take points home.
In fact, assuming all teams advance, three of Charlotte’s first four matches will be against teams coming off of a midweek CCC match, including Seattle on Saturday. So, step on the gas.
Charlotte FC make their home debut next Saturday against Atlanta United at 2PM on FOX. Be sure to be there to witness what will surely be an electric home opener in the Battle of the South.
We’re ditching ticket fees all weekend long.* Don’t miss out on your chance to join us for the home opener on Saturday, March 1!
*Verified resale tickets excluded from this offer. Sales tax and a $3.95 processing fee will still apply. Offer is only valid on Friday 02/21/25 from 12:00 AM ET through Sunday 02/23/2025 at 11:59 PM ET for the 03/01/2025 match at Bank of America Stadium.
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