Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer has set his sights on making a significant impact in the upcoming Club World Cup, viewing it as a golden opportunity to showcase MLS's growth on the global stage.
Speaking at MLS's Media Day, Schmetzer shared his ambitious vision with GOAL, emphasizing the tournament's potential despite mixed reactions worldwide. "If we can pull out a result against any one of those three teams, that makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world," he stated, referring to their challenging group that includes PSG, Botafago, and Atletico Madrid.
The Sounders' participation in the tournament carries particular significance for player development. Schmetzer highlighted specific opportunities for his squad, mentioning how young talent like Obed Vargas could benefit from facing Atletico Madrid, and Georgi Minoungou's chance to compete against PSG, a team he admired growing up.
Recent developments in American soccer have sparked discussions about potential structural changes, including a shift to a fall-spring calendar similar to European leagues. Schmetzer expressed confidence in MLS's ability to adapt: "The league will try and figure it out. I think they'll make it work -- if it happens. Because I don't know if that's 100 percent yet, but you know, we'll deal with it."
The Seattle-based club has been proactive in strengthening their squad, securing Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas - a significant addition considering his impressive record of 15 goals in 23 USMNT appearances. Paul Arriola's arrival is expected to provide additional firepower on the wings.
Reflecting on the previous season's near-miss at hosting the MLS Cup final, Schmetzer maintains high expectations for 2025. "We made it to the conference final, and were eight minutes away from maybe hosting a final," he recalled, acknowledging the competitive match against Greg Vanney's Galaxy.
The coach also shared his thoughts on the Leagues Cup format, suggesting improvements while maintaining his overall positive view: "There were teams that bowed out early in that competition, then they had a month off in the middle of your year. That's certainly an issue... Trying to play more of your games against Mexican teams rather than MLS matchups, I think that's one area that I'd probably focus on."
As Seattle prepares for a demanding season ahead, Schmetzer's message remains clear: "Our expectations are always to compete for trophies." With the Club World Cup looming and domestic challenges ahead, the Sounders appear ready to embrace their role in elevating MLS's global standing.
