Ship’s Log, March 3: It’s all about CCC
Balancing Concacaf Champions Cup with regular-season play is one of the most difficult tasks MLS clubs have to reckon with.
Seattle Sounders fans know this as well as anybody. I don’t think anyone would trade Seattle’s magical 2022 Concacaf title run for anything, but it did undeniably tank their league season – a fate that has befallen many a club over the years and one that this year’s Sounders team frankly has to avoid.
I’m not ringing alarm bells just yet over Seattle’s 2-0 letdown at RSL in Matchday 2. But I would be lying if I said the thought didn’t enter my mind that we might be in for some tough times in league play for as long as the Sounders are in CCC.
There’s an extent to which that might just be flat-out unavoidable as long as MLS’s roster restrictions stay roughly what they are now. But this Seattle roster was supposed to be equipped better than most to handle the demands of juggling these competitions. The good news is there’s a lot of games ahead to show that they’ll be able to handle this congestion better than they did on Saturday.
Either way, right now it’s all about CCC and Wednesday’s match vs. Cruz Azul at Lumen Field. A positive result there would go a long way in restoring the good early-season vibes that took a hit in Salt Lake City. These next few games are going to be huge for the Sounders and their 2025 outlook. Winning this Cruz Azul series would be a great place to start.
As for my other takeaways from Matchday 2, my main one would be that any potential downfall for Inter Miami was wishful thinking on my part.
Playing without Lionel Messi, the Herons absolutely smashed the Houston Dynamo 4-1 on the road in a game that wasn’t even that close. And I can unfortunately report their offseason arrival/Diego Gomez-replacement Telasco Segovia appears to be one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen (I’m joking, but honestly only slightly. The 21-year-old Venezuelean has 3g/1a in his first two MLS games).
- MLSsoccer.com’s Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle found himself encouraged with Seattle’s wing play at RSL, but did voice his causes for concern.
- Jayda Evans has her recap of Saturday’s match over at the Seattle Times.
- Andrew Steel at DAZN has a primer on Seattle’s qualification for this summer’s Club World Cup.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Wednesday, March 5 vs. Cruz Azul | Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 Leg 1 | 7:30 pm PT | ViX/FS2
- Salt Lake sorrow: Sounders fall, again, in Utah
- Postgame Pontifications: Costly mistakes
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Sounders Flop in Salt Lake
- The Cooler Guild: Talking Reign with Susie Rantz
Reign
Next match: Saturday, March 15 vs. Gotham FC | 7 pm PT | iON television.
Defiance
Next match: Friday, March 7 at LA Galaxy II | 7 pm PT | Apple TV.
Spokane
Next match: March 16, vs. One Knoxville (preseason)
- USL Tactics has a detailed preview of every team.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
British free-to-air TV channel ITV put in a bid of $0 for the Club World Cup.
The Women’s Club World Cup won’t start until after 2026.
Minnesota United has hired American Soccer Analysis to be a consultant.
Emma Hayes is shaking things up with the USWNT, which included a recent camp that included 50 players.
The NWSL kits came out and we’ve got rankings.
San Diego FC’s inaugural season-opener was marred by “the chant.” But don’t worry, there’s a “detailed plan” to handle it.
Even Liga MX teams are powerless when it comes to Shakira concerts.