SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. CLUB ATLETICO DE MADRID, S.A.D. - FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE - ROYAL BROUGHAM PARK, OCCIDENTAL AVENUE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”

– Sun Tzu

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Sounders FC face perhaps their most monumental foe to date, 11x La Liga champions, 10x Copa del Rey winners, 2x Supercopa de Espana winners, 3x UEFA Europa League champions, 1x UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 3x UEFA Super Cup winners, and 1x Intercontinental Cup champion, Atletico Madrid. Right, soooooo, a lot of winning………at an absurdly high level…………yeah.

What: FIFA Club World Cup, Group Stage, Seattle Sounders FC v. Club Atletico de Madrid, S.A.D.

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Thursday 19 June 2025 CE.

At Stake: Points in the group stage. Desperately trying to not be comprehensively overrun for the purposes of preserving our dignity and reputation.

Where to Watch: DAZN.

Where to Listen: Again, if there’s any local radio coverage I haven’t heard of it.

There’s not a whole lot to write here. If ever you were going to turn up to support the team, this match, and the next one, are going to write the first real pages of our history on the world stage - no disrespect to Al-Ahly who we faced in Club World Cup in our inaugural effort. That said, there’s lots wrong with this tournament. Our players got stiffed on prize money. ICE has staked out all the matches, which is a different level of horrible. So I get if there’s an internal conflict amongst ours about whether to go to matches, and how safe it is based on if you might be targeted by the current regime. If you feel safe enough to go, and you’re not fussed about putting money in FIFA’s coffers, then definitely go and be loud.

Do we have a chance to get a result? A tiny, tiny chance which would largely depend on Atleti making a howler of an error, and us hanging on for dear life. The thing about football, though, is that there’s no guarantees. So we crack on, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

We’ve never faced a team this strong in tournament play. Botafogo was a certain level above us. I’d rate Atletico Madrid as several levels above that, and I’d rate PSG as one of the top 10 clubs in the world. At the very least, it’s gonna be a wooly one.

It’s Sounders FC football on the world stage at Royal Brougham Park. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

The Gaffer said in his press conference this afternoon that Morris is a matchday decision.

He is expected to be available as a substitute, although the Manager said it would

require a specific situation for Jordan to enter the match. (photo credit: artofit.org)

The Good News

We have a certain amount of talent in our team, and there is no quit in our Boys in Green.

We have the incentive to want to show that Sounders FC can compete on the world stage and aren’t to be taken lightly. As a motivator, this can’t be discounted.

As we’ve learnt throughout the years, anything is possible at Royal Brougham Park.

The Bad News

Atletico Madrid outspent us on transfers this season by a ratio of 128:1.

Atletico Madrid score more goals than we do (+0.53/match), and average conceding less than a goal per match (0.95 goals conceded/match). They do this whilst playing in La Liga (where they finished in 3rd place behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona), a league with far more difficult opponents than we face in MLS.

Atleti star striker, Julian Alvarez (29 goals in all competitions this season), has an estimated transfer fee of €100M. That’s almost double the combined estimated transfer fees for the entire Sounders FC senior squad (€51.75M).

The Side I Would Select

Let’s be honest with ourselves. It is highly improbable that we’re getting a result in this match. Atleti are a different level above Botafogo. We could run out our youngers to see what sort of future the club is looking at, as we’re not buying impact players, and also saving wear and tear on the Gaffer’s favourites. However, the other side of the coin is equally compelling. The team done well against Botafogo, and would have defeated them with a bit more quality in the final third. It would seem like a punishment to the lads to not let them carry on.

Rationale:

Nouhou has forgotten the first rule of football — keep your head. I get the frustration, and I’m pretty sure that Nouhou and Vargas are too good for MLS and won’t be with us much longer. Watching his teammates crack on as he watches from the bench for a half or so will provide perspective in this matter. So Baker-Whiting, for at least the first half. Maybe the whole match if he plays up. I currently rate Kossa-Rienzi over Alex. That said, I felt Alex had a fine match on Sunday, nearly scoring a goal, and deserves to be in the team on the strength of that performance. This should always be what determines playing time, and at most clubs that’s how it works. I rate Ferreira over Albert at the #10. I’ve got this idea that maybe we should try Albert over Cristian as a #8, although Cristian had a good match Sunday and deserves to continue. I want Rothrock in the team because he plays with such fire and work rate. However, it makes sense to have Albert in the team, even if he’s playing as a forward. It was a mistake to not select de la Vega in the team on Sunday, so I’ve put him where he belongs, in the team at right-forward. Nothing against Danny Musovski, he’s done well for us during Morris’ injury, and he’s a fine striker who hadn’t been given much opportunity. Osaze De Rosario had been scoring goals at a torrid pace for the Sounders Reserves and was rightfully signed to a contract in the senior team. Since then, he hasn’t played much and deserves a closer look than a seven-minute cameo appearance at the end of a match. If the side is lacking precision finishing, it makes no sense to staple a lethal finisher to the bench.

GK     Frei

LB     Baker-Whiting

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Kim*

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     Rusnak

CAM   Ferreira

RF     de la Vega

CF     De Rosario

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

It was a good showing against Botafogo on Sunday. I’d expect the same eleven, barring injury or disciplinary concerns.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Kim*

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas
RDM   Cristian

LF     Kent

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Ferreira

CF     Musovski

*In his press conference, the Gaffer said that Kim had a calf issue and is “questionable”. The only other centre-halves that might be available are Hawkins (who is also listed as a matchday decision) and Leo Burney. Gotta wonder how that’s gonna shake out.

Intangibles

Gross economic disparity.

Sounders FC disclosed paid transfer fees for 2025: €1.45M

Atletico Madrid disclosed paid transfer fees for 2024-25: €185M

The unknown.

We’ve never faced a team with this level of resources and quality in a competitive match before. Will we be able to disrupt their tactics enough to compete?

Wear and tear.

Atletico Madrid have played in 56 matches so far this season, including their one CWC match so far. We’ve played a total of 23 matches. Will we have an edge in freshness?

General notes on personnel

Atletico Madrid transfers IN:

Alvarez (Manchester City) €75M

Gallagher (Chelsea) €42M

Le Normand (Real Sociedad) €34.5M

Sorloth (Villarreal) €32M

Musso (Atalanta) €1.5M (loan fee)

Lenglet (Barcelona) loan

Galan (Real Sociedad) end of loan

Simeone (Alaves) end of loan

Atletico Madrid transfers OUT:
Joao Felix (Chelsea) €52M

Aghehowa (Porto) €20M

Morata (AC Milan) €13M

Soyuncu (Fenerbahce) €8.5M

Vermeeren (RB Leipzig) €3M (loan fee)

Mourino (Alaves) €2M

Moldovan (Sassuolo) €250,000 (loan fee)

Savic (Trabzonspor) free

Gabriel Paulista (Besiktas) free

Valera (Valencia) free

Marcos Paulo (Boavista) free

Niguez (Sevilla) loan

Martin (Alaves) loan

Hermoso - released

Depay - released

Mollejo - reserves

Garces - reserves

Serrano - reserves

Vitolo - released

Comparison against common opponents

n/a

Know Thine Enemy

Atletico Madrid as they lined up in their 4:0 Club World Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain at the Rose Bowl on 15 June.

GOALKEEPER

Jan Oblak, 32

Slovenia (77/0)

Notable Clubs: Olimpija Ljubljana (34/0), Benfica (16/0), Uniao de Leiria (16/0), Rio Ave (28/0), Atletico Madrid (369/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €20M

Notes: Developed by Locan, Olimpija, and Olimpija Ljubljana. Won a Slovenian Second League title with Olimpija Ljubljana. Won a Primeira Liga title, Taca de Portugal, and Taca da Liga with Benfica. Won a La Liga title, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid. Named Primera Liga Best Goalkeeper 2013-14. Named to La Liga Team of the Season 2015-16. Named three times to UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season. Named La Liga Best Goalkeeper 2015-16. Named four times to UEFA La Liga Team of the Season. Named to UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season 2017-18. Named eight times Slovenian Footballer of the Year. Named twice Slovenian Youth Footballer of the Year. Named La Liga Player of the Season 2020-21.

DEFENCE

Javi Galan, 30

Spain

Notable Clubs: Cordoba (77/4), Huesca (81/2), Celta Vigo (74/0), Atletico Madrid (30/0), Real Sociedad (14/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4M

Notes: Full name: Javier Galan Gil. Developed by San Roque Badajoz, Don Bosco, and Flecha Negra. Won a Spanish Segunda Division title with Huesca.

Clement Lenglet, 30

France (16/1)

Notable Clubs: Nancy (77/2), Sevilla (52/3), Barcelona (105/4), Tottenham Hotspur (26/0), Aston Villa (14/0), Atletico Madrid (23/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7.5M

Notes: Developed by Montchevreuil, Chantilly, and Nancy. Won a Ligue 2 title with Nancy. Won a La Liga title, two Copa del Reys, and a Supercopa de Espana with Barcelona.

Robin Le Normand, 28

Spain (23/1)

Notable Clubs: Brest (1/0), Real Sociedad (167/4), Atletico Madrid (27/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €40M

Notes: Developed by Brest. Won a Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad. Won a UEFA European Championship and a UEFA Nations League with Spain.

Marcos Llorente, 30

Spain (19/0)

Notable Clubs: Real Madrid (22/0), Alaves (32/0), Atletico Madrid (187/24)

Estimated Transfer Value: €25M

Notes: Full name: Marcos Llorente Moreno. Developed by Las Rozas, Nueva Rocena, Rayo Majadahonda, and Real Madrid. Won a UEFA Champions League and two FIFA Club World Cups with Real Madrid. Won a La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.

MIDFIELD

Samuel Lino, 25

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Gil Vicente (87/23), Atletico Madrid (65/7), Valencia (38/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €22M

Notes: Developed by Sao Bernardo and Flamengo.

Pablo Barrios, 22

Spain (1/0)

Notable Clubs: Atletico Madrid (76/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €55M

Notes: Full name: Pablo Barrios Rivas. Developed by Moratalaz, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. Has played for Spain at youth levels (17/0). Won an Olympic Gold Medal (FIFA U-23 World Cup).

Rodrigo De Paul, 31

Argentina (78/2)

Notable Clubs: Racing Club (65/6), Valencia (34/1), Udinese (177/33), Atletico Madrid (134/11)

Estimated Transfer Value: €25M

Notes: Developed by Racing Club. Won a FIFA World Cup, two Copa Americas, and a CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions with Argentina. Twice named to Copa America Team of the Tournament. Named to La Liga Team of the Season 2024-25.

Giuliano Simeone, 22

Argentina (5/1)

Notable Clubs: Atletico Madrid (34/2), Real Zaragoza (36/9), Alaves (14/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €35M

Notes: Full name: Giuliano Simeone Baldini. Developed by River Plate and Atletico Madrid.

FORWARD

Julian Alvarez, 25

Argentina (46/13)

Notable Clubs: River Plate (74/34), Manchester City (67/20), Atletico Madrid (37/17)

Estimated Transfer Value: €100M

Notes: Developed by Atletico Calchin and River Plate. Won an Argentine Primera Division title, a Copa Argentina, Supercopa Argentina, Trofeo de Campeones ,and a Copa Libertadores with River Plate. Won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester City. Won a FIFA World Cup, two Copa Americas, and a CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions with Argentina. Won Golden Boot for Argentine Primera Division 2021 with River Plate (18 goals). Named to La Liga Team of the Season 2024-25.

Antoine Griezmann, 34

France (137/44)

Notable Clubs: Real Sociedad (180/46), Atletico Madrid (315/136), Barcelona (74/22)

Estimated Transfer Value: €18M

Notes: Developed by Entente Charnay et Macon 71, Macon, and Real Sociedad. Won a Spanish Segunda Division with Real Sociedad. Won a Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid. Won a Copa del Rey with Barcelona. Won a FIFA World Cup and UEFA Nations League with France. Named La Liga Best Player 2015-16. Named four times to La Liga Team of the Season. Named to UEFA La Liga Team of the Season 2015-16. Named twice to UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season. Named to UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season 2017-18. Named UEFA Europa League Player of the Season 2017-18. Named UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament 2016. Won UEFA European Championship Golden Boot 2016 with France (6 goals). Named to UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2016. Named to UEFA Team of the Year 2016. Won a FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball 2018. Won a FIFA World Cup Silver Boot 2018 (4 goals).

Familiar Faces

None.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Burney, Kossa-Rienzi, Hawkins, Kim, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Joao Paulo, Leyva, Cristian, Rusnak, Vargas, de la Vega, De Rosario, Ferreira, Kent, Minoungou, Morris, Musovski, Rothrock.

Atletico Madrid from:

Musso, Oblak, Gomis, Esquivel, Gimenez, Azpilicueta, Molina, Galan, Mandava, Le Normand, Kostis, Bonar, Gallagher, De Paul, Koke, Barrios, Lemar, Lino, Llorente, Riquelme, Witsel, Serrano, Monserrate, Seidu, Belaid, Griezmann, Sorloth, Correa, Martin, Alvarez, Simeone, Nino, Janneh.

Injury List

(Best guess)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Gomez Andrade (hamstring/calf), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Morris (hamstring), Hawkins (quadriceps), Kim (calf).

Atletico Madrid -

OUT: no information

MATCHDAY DECISION: no information

Discipline

Sounders FC: No players suspended. Nouhou and Ragen out next match if booked.

Atletico Madrid: Lenglet is suspended and will serve a one-match ban. Le Normand, Simeone, Koke, Correa, and Mandava are out next match if booked.

Fun Fact

Sounders FC Reserves will play their next match on 29 June at LAFC2. The kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT. Our Reserves are currently in 19th place in the MLS Next Pro table on 17 points, 13 points adrift of leaders RB New York II.