Sunday's Leagues Cup match is the type of matchup that Sounders fans should enjoy. It's against a Mexican team, Club Necaxa out of Aguascalientes.
Seattle's well used to facing teams from Liga MX. Thanks to previous CCL and Leagues Cup participation their experience is extensive. Under Brian Schmetzer they are 5-1-0, +9 at Lumen Field when facing teams from the league that remains better than MLS.
Leagues Cup is set up well for a Seattle run, thanks to their beating the Loons and Chivas laying an egg against San Jose. Chivas "hosts" LA Galaxy on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park, also at 7:30 p.m., where they will need a win or penalty win to advance and "host" Sounders.
Puebla and Querétaro are both already out. One of Monterrey or Pumas will be eliminated this weekend. León plays Colorado with the loser out. Tijuana plays Vancouver with the loser out. If Houston beat RSL big they eliminate Atlas.
The bracket in the West won't be cleared of Liga MX sides. But it will be weaker, because the games are played here, where good MLS teams can beat Liga MX teams.
A run wouldn't be great for my pocketbook, right at the same time as an all-too-significant price increase on renewals.
It would be great in my stories about why I love soccer.
The exposure to more people who aren't like me is one of the many blessings of soccer culture. Champions League and Leagues Cup do this in a competitive fashion. I'm a sucker for a family where parents wear the jerseys of the visitors and the kids wear the jerseys of the Sounders.
I was also a sucker for the way a Moroccan player consoled a USMNT player after their match in the Olympics today.
I'm a sucker for taking trophies, too.
Something happened right about when Paulie slammed in that second goal – my approach to the Leagues Cup went from ho-hum, to LET'S GO!
I'm a sucker for cult players scoring goals in international competition (see Mike Fucito's five goals in CCL play).
Sunday is going to be a blast. It's a summer day. Vibes will be high from Seafair. And Necaxa has to play open soccer because they need a four-goal win to advance.
Angry Jordan against a team that has to play loose? LET'S GO!
I'd rather watch Sounders soccer than not. I'd rather them win the whole damn thing than hang out at Longacres for a few weeks.
Oh. Yeah. Let's Go.
Jeremiah Oshan
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
What you need to get caught up on the weekend's action
Sounders
Next match: Sunday at 7:30 p.m. against Necaxa in the Leagues Cup. Watch on Apple TV.
If Seattle wins, draws or loses by fewer than four or more goals they advance. They will host the next round if they advance and Chivas does not advance.
- Key takeaways from 2024 Alliance Council’s Annual Business Meeting
- Raúl Ruidíaz avoids serious injury but likely out 2-3 weeks
- Lobbing Scorchers: Does Liga MX Care About Leagues Cup?
- ‘Tough pill to swallow’: Morris frustrated not to be at Olympics
- Josh Atencio makes Olympics debut
- Realio’s Ratings: Pulse found
- Lessons learned and points earned: Sounders top Loons
- Paul Rothrock is showing he’s more than just a good story
- Lobbing Scorchers: Rothrock Lobster
- Sounders deal international roster spot for 2025 GAM
Reign
Next match: August 25 against NC, featuring the Megan Rapinoe jersey retirement ceremony. You can get in and support Sounder at Heart.
- Reign eliminate Thorns from Summer Cup with 1-0 loss
- Second-half rally comes up short as Reign fall to Tijuana
- Seattle Reign sign Haiti captain Nérilia Mondésir through 2026
- Reign extend Sam Meza, loan her to Dallas
- Valkyratings: The Result Gotham Deserves edition
- The Cooler Guild: Cooler Conversations - Mariah Lee
- The Cooler Guild: It's a Rookie Summer
Defiance
Next match: August 4 hosting Minnesota United 2 at Starfire. This noon match is on MLSNextPro.com and YouTube.
Spokane
- Velocity are at South Georgia Tormenta in USL League One action on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+. Velocity are 9th on the league table with games in hand.
- Zephyr start play on August 17th hosting Ft. Lauderdale at ONE Spokane Stadium at 6 p.m..
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
We're going bullet points here because it's a week of stuff we want you to read.
10 biggest stories of the MLS summer transfer window (so far). They include Toronto signing Wingo as an also mention.
Lower Valley Soccer League builds partnership with Seattle Reign FC. Reign expand their draw beyond the Sound.
Q&A on Seattle Reign signing Nerilia Mondesir, with Daniel Marques. What can Reign fans expect from their Haitian signing?
14-year-old Mak Whitham debuts for NWSL team, tops Cavan Sullivan record for youngest pro. In a month Fredy Adu moved from famous to trivia.
Food and fashion at the Olympics. How are Jordyn and Quinn enjoying France?
Domination of Germany should make opponents fear USWNT again. You can't spell clinic without Emma Hayes – you could, but you'd be missing out on the most watched soccer match in recent Olympics history, more than any final.
The Imane Khelif Discourse, the IBA, Fascism and Russian Oligarchs. The depths of misinformation deserve to be countered.
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