As the Seattle Sounders prepare for the start of the revamped Leagues Cup this weekend, a consistent theme has emerged from the players and coaches.
Put simply, Leagues Cup represents the only trophy the club has never won.
Since entering Major League Soccer in 2009, the Sounders have raised the bar for success on the pitch. Four U.S. Open Cups, two MLS Cups, one Supporters' Shield and one Concacaf Champions League trophy later, the Sounders have set their sights on lifting their first Leagues Cup in 2023.
“We try and win every trophy,” said Sounders FC General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “We’re really interested in that trophy…. It would be nice to put in the same trophy case that holds that CCL trophy that [no other MLS club] else has right now.”
The Sounders heave measured their success in silverware since their inception. Aiming to win every competition is ingrained in the club’s DNA. It’s a reflection of Seattle and the community the Rave Green represent.
“We try and take all competition seriously,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
“The club does have a winning tradition,” he added. “And we want to continue that.”
The club’s aspirations have expanded in recent years. After becoming the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League, the Rave Green also made history as the first MLS side to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
By going toe-to-toe with top Liga MX clubs, the Sounders possess another chance to expand their footprint across the region.
The Sounders reached the final of the 2021 Leagues Cup, defeating the likes of Tigres and Santos Laguna before falling 3-2 to Club Léon in the title match. This year’s tournament is a drastically different format, with every team from Liga MX and MLS competing in a World Cup-style competition.
“I think it’s a very important tournament,” said midfielder Obed Vargas, who was a member of the Tacoma Defiance during the previous Leagues Cup run. “Every single time we face Liga MX opponents and even MLS opponents, we always want to win, we want to win every time we play.”
Sounders FC vs. C.F. Monterrey
We are hosting Liga MX powerhouse C.F. Monterrey in the 2023 Leagues Cup Group Stage on July 30. Be part of our journey in the quest to lift another trophy.
According to the players, the opportunity to square off against the top clubs in North America in Leagues Cup makes securing the trophy even more enticing.
“We're a team that we don't think domestically anymore, we think globally,” said defender Alex Roldan. “So, playing against Mexican side teams and if we're featuring up against one of those teams, and you know, we're looking to win and we're looking to put a stamp on that.”
The Seattle Sounders will face Real Salt Lake (6:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM) on the road on July 22 before hosting C.F. Monterrey (6:00 p.m. PT; FS1, UniMás, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) on July 30.
