Seattle Sounders 2022 MLS Season Preview: Key players and Prediction

Seattle Sounders are ready to start the 2022 MLS Season. Brian Schmetzer’s squad were knocked out in the playoffs last season against Real Salt Lake in penalty shootouts in their home, disappointing their fans after a great campaign where they finished second with 60 points, just one point behind the 2021 Western Conference champions Colorado Rapids.

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The American coach will try to have another successful season with one of the best teams in the MLS since they were founded in 2007. Seattle Sounders have won the MLS Cup twice, in 2016 and 2019. The last title was two years ago, and the team from Washington wants to follow their good run of the last seasons. 

The club maintains the key players of the last season and brought to his ranks, Albert Rusnak, the Slovakian striker who shone with Real Salt Lake in the past seasons. The Western team also retained Raúl Rui Díaz, a key player who was rumored to leave the club in the offseason but fortunately for Seattle, the Peruvian will stay and will fight alongside Rusnak and Montero with the goal of becoming champions for the third time in their history.

Let's review how Seattle Sounders arrives for the 2022 MLS season

Seattle Sounders transfer activity

PLAYERS IN

F - Sam Adeniran (12/14/21 - signed)

M - Obed Vargas (12/14/21 - Homegrown)

M - Dylan Teves (1/11/22 - Homegrown)

M - Albert Rusnak (1/13/22 - signed as free agent)

M - Kelyn Rowe (1/18/22 - signed as free agent)

GK - Stefan Cleveland (1/19/22 - signed as free agent)

F - Will Bruin (1/20/22 - signed as free agent)

F - Fredy Montero (1/21/22 - signed as free agent)

D - Jackson Ragen (2/14/22 - signing)

PLAYERS OUT

M - Nicolas Benezet (12/1/21 - option declined)

M - Jordy Delem (12/1/21 - option declined)

M - Shandon Hopeau (12/1/21 - option declined)

GK - Trey Muse (12/1/21 - option declined)

M - Kelyn Rowe (12/1/21 - option declined)

F - Will Bruin (12/1/21 - contract expired)

GK - Stefan Cleveland (12/1/21 - contract expired)

GK - Spencer Richey (12/20/21 - signed as free agent by Chicago Fire FC)

D - Shane O’Neill (12/22/21 - signed as free agent by Toronto)

D - Brad Smith (1/27/22 - trade to D.C. United)

M - Ethan Dobbelaere (2/5/22 - loaned to MFK Vyškov)

Seattle Sounders key players

Raúl Rui Díaz

Since he arrived in 2018 at the MLS outfit from Mexican soccer, the Peruvian has shown his quality. Rui Díaz has scored 63 goals and provided 10 assists in 100 games played for the Seattle Sounders. The former Monarcas Morelia player started 24 games last season scoring 17 times and assisting once.

Christian Roldán

The U.S. national team player shared the midfield alongside Joao Paulo last season, and both players performed in a great way. The Californian player has become a legend with the Sounders and is looking to win his third MLS Cup with Seattle. In the 2021 MLS season, Roldán played a total of 28 games, starting in 27, scoring 6 goals, and assisting 6 times.

Joao Paulo

The Brazilian midfielder had an outstanding season last year with the Sounders, playing a total of 31 games in which in 28 he was in the starting lineup. The former Botafogo player arrived in Seattle in the 2020 season as a designated player and was in the 2021 season where he was established as a starter under Brian Schmetzer's orders.

Albert Rusnak

The Czech Republic-born but naturalized Slovakian played 5 seasons with Real Salt Lake where he scored 41 times and assisted on 39. The Slovakia international was unable to be retained by Salt Lake and Seattle moved in a big way to bolster their attack that will be to be feared for the 2022 season. If the player continues his consistency he will be a very quality addition and will make Seattle a serious contender this season.

Seattle Sounders 2022 season prediction

Seattle Sounders will be the protagonist in the Western Conference and will be one of the teams to beat. Brian Schemtzer's squad will fight for the top spots.

With a team already consolidated by the American coach's playing philosophy, the two-time MLS champions will be even more difficult to beat due to their defensive order and offensive power. The arrival of Albert Rusnak is great news for the team, which will also have Rui Diaz and Fredy Montero to score goals, in addition to midfielders Christian Roldan and Joao Rojas. 

Prediction: 1st in the Western Conference

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