This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘s Seattle Sounders preview for the 2026 MLS Season with special guest Jackson Felts from Sounders Weekly. You can find that video on Spotify below.
2025 Recap
The Seattle Sounders finished 4th in the Western Conference with a 15-10-9 record, and secured The Leagues Cup by beating Inter Miami 3-0 in that final. They also lost all 3 Club World Cup games, but felt they were at least competitive against PSG, Atletico Madrid, and Botafogo.
The Sounders had a good offense and defense by league standards, finishing 5th in goals scored and 6th in goals conceded. They lost only 1 game all season at home, which opened the pathway for Seattle’s success.
In a season where Seattle struggled with injury and finding their stars’ best positions, Danny Musovski led the team with 14 goals and 4 assists. Albert Rusnak (right) continues racking up MLS stats, adding 11 goals and 8 assists.
Jordan Morris, Jesus Ferreira, Paul Rothrock, and Pedro de la Vega found the scorecard less often than they’d have liked.
Transactions
After playing Atlético Madrid in the Club World Cup, Atleti found their new midfielder and paid somewhere in the $3 million ballpark for Obed Vargas.
He would have walked on a free transfer at the end of this season, but the price tag still seems low for the 20 year old Mexican-American.
Danny Leyva is also a big loss for Seattle. He headed to Necaxa after spending 8 seasons with Seattle and Tacoma.
Notable incoming players include MLS veteran Hassani Dotson and Nikola Petkovic. Dotson comes from Minnesota and should slot into the midfield as a day one starter. Petkovic provides midfield depth, and heads to Seattle from Charlotte FC.
Most other additions and subtractions were depth pieces.
Depth Chart
The Seattle depth chart has question marks, namely because injuries and availability issues kept them from having a steady 11 in 2025. We assume they will line up in a 4-3-3 that looks more like a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 in possession.
The back line has fullbacks Nouhou Tolo and Alex Roldan, both of which like to get upfield (one of which, Alex, sometimes stays there). They are grounded by Ragen and Gomez, two perennial best-11 contenders. The goalkeeper position is a battle between Andrew Thomas and Stefan Frei. I believe Thomas gets the first shot.
In midfield, Dotson and Roldan will anchor Albert Rusnak who returns as the #10. Wingers look to be Paul Rothrock on the left, possibly ceding to PDLV when healthy. On the right, Jesus Ferreira will start, with talented youngster Minoungou and veteran Paul Arriola behind him.
Atop the formation, Seattle will be hoping Jordan Morris returns to health and provides what would be his 6th season providing double digit goals. Danny Musovski (below) is a good backup, and played exceptionally well in Morris’s absence.
Questions
- Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job?
- Two players who could get starting jobs are Nikola Petkovic and Georgi Minoungou. Petkovic would replace Dotson if Dotson doesn’t build chemistry with Cristian Roldan. Minoungou is an interesting call because he has a lot of upside, and has been working with assistant manager Preki. He is often seen working late after practice and seems eager to improve his game.
- What are some realistic expectations for 2026?
- The team should be 4th or 5th in the Western Conference.
- What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season?
- First, who wins the battle between Thomas and Frei for keeper? Next, who replaces Obed Vargas and becomes an everyday midfielder. Lastly, does Jordan Morris return to form?
- What styles does this team match up well against?
- Seattle is great in possession, and has enough depth to match up well against just about any other styles.
- What styles does this team match up poorly against?
- Seattle struggles against teams with more than one dynamic creator. They can shut down one star (like Lionel Messi), but struggle against teams who can attack left, right, or center.
- What player improves the most in 2026?
- Minoungou should improve the most. With injuries or rotation, he should get minutes. Jackson said, about Minoungou, “He loves to learn and he loves to grow.”
- Which player regresses in 2026?
- Danny Musovski. If Jordan Morris can stay healthy, Musovsky gets less time and less impactful minutes.
Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!
YouTube- youtube.com/@thedesignatedpundits
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Bob Ventimiglia is a leading soccer podcaster and handicapper, renowned for his sharp analysis and consistent success at the soccer sportsbook.
As a founding member and MLS expert on the BetUS MLS Show, he earned “Capper of the Week” honors four times during his debut season.
Now, he is producer for “The Designated Pundits” MLS podcast and “The High Impact Pundits” NWSL podcast.
💸 BetUS TV MLS Expert (4x Capper of the Week)
📝 Member- North American Soccer Reporters
