SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. CRUZ AZUL LEAGUES CUP - GROUP STAGE - ROYAL BROUGHAM PARK, OCCIDENTAL AVENUE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Well, here we are again. MLS, like many other American corporations and both major American political parties, not only refuse to learn from their mistakes, they refuse to acknowledge that they’ve made mistakes and then double-down on whatever agenda that makes them the most cash. Cruz Azul travel to The Evergreen for the second time this season…and I guess we’ll see.

What: Leagues Cup group stage, Seattle Sounders FC v. Cruz Azul.

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

When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Thursday 31 July 2025 CE.

At Stake: That depends on where you are with Leagues Cup. If you don’t like what Leagues Cup has done to the domestic football calendar, then this match, and all matches in this tournament, are meaningless. If you really fancy MLS v. Liga MX, and that’s your jam, Leagues Cup is super-important. If you just think of it as another chance for the Sounders FC to win a trophy this season, then Leagues Cup is a potential means to that end. That pretty much sums it up.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, Apple TV+, Fox Sports 1, UniMas, TUDN, TSN, and Televisa.

Where to Listen: El Rey 1360 AM.

It’s Leagues Cup football. Such as it is. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

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

New Sounders FC signing, Synder Brunell has been a mainstay for the Sounders FC Reserves,

with 52 appearances and six goals for them since 2023. (photo credit: soundersfc.com)

The Good News

Sounders haven’t lost in the league since 8 June, when we were defeated 3:0 at BC Place by Vancouver and had two men sent off. Form has been good, with Sounders amassing a record of 9-5-3 over the last 17 matches.

We very well could have defeated Atlanta United for the first time at their ground. The own-goal by Gomez Andrade was fluky, and De Rosario nearly had a late winner with his stoppage-time goal.

We managed to hold Cruz Azul to a scoreless draw last time at Royal Brougham Park. It’s not out of the question for us to manage a classic, smash and grab, one-niller.

The Bad News

Our success in the league not withstanding, Leagues Cup football is nothing like MLS league football. Liga MX squads are deep, with usually two complete teams worth of quality. It’s pretty difficult for MLS clubs to compete with clubs that have fewer or no salary and transfer restrictions.

The latest information, from 25 July, has Rothrock, Morris, Frei, and Hawkins out. In addition, Joao Paulo and Arriola are out for the rest of the season. At full-strength, we lost 4:1 to Cruz Azul in the Champions Cup.

It’s utterly perplexing to me how Miranchuk was unmarked and had room to unleash a belter for his stoppage-time equaliser last Sat. This needs fixing.

The Side I Would Select

We’ve never beat this lot that I know of. All you can do is try.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CAM   Rusnak

RM      Ferreira

CF     Musovski

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I’d be shocked if he didna select the team that got the 0:0 draw in Seattle in Champions Cup in March, minus those that are injured.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Ferreira

CF     Musovski

Intangibles

Economic inequalities.

SEA off-season disclosed transfer fees paid: €1.45M

CAZ off-season disclosed transfer fees paid: €14.07M

SEA full squad aggregate estimated transfer value: €51.75M

CAZ full squad aggregate estimated transfer value: €88.30M

MLS: Salary Cap for wages and ridiculously complex transfer process.

MX: No known wages cap, no known restrictions on transfers.

If at first you don’t succeed.

We’ve yet to beat Cruz Azul. Let’s have another go, I guess.

Brougham effect.

If we’re ever going to beat these, it’s most likely to happen in Seattle.

Rusty?

Cruz Azul are only three matches into their new season, the 2025-26 Torneo Apertura, after a month off and then six friendly matches, the last of which was 6 July. Maybe they’re still knocking off the rust?

Revancha.

That 4:1 result in Mexico City hurt. We were embarrassed. I reckon the lads are champing at the bit for a chance to get even.

General notes on personnel

Cruz Azul transfers IN:

Marquez (Atlas) €3.9M

Paradela (Necaxa) €8.7M

Alexis Gutierrez (Necaxa) undisclosed

Rodarte (Zacatecas) loan

Cruz Azul transfers OUT:

Alexis Gutierrez (Club America) €4.3M

Luis Gutierrez (Queretaro) undisclosed

Samano (Tepatitlan) loan

Suarez (Atletico San Luis) loan

Jorge Garcia (Mazatlan) loan

Comparison against common opponents

CAZ 5:0 VAN CCC

VAN 3:0 SEA

(against VAN: SEA 0-0-1 -3, CAZ 1-0-0 +5) decisive edge CAZ

Know Thine Enemy

Cruz Azul as they lined up in their 4:1 victory over Leon at Estadio Olimpico Universitario on 26 July. Did the best I could with information for appearances and goals.

GOALKEEPER

Kevin Mier, 24

Colombia

Notable Clubs: Atletico Nacional (86/0), Valledupar (16/0), Cruz Azul (67/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7M

Notes: Full name: Kevin Leonardo Mier Robles. Developed by Oro Negro and Atletico Nacional. Won a league title, two Copa Colombias, and a Columbian Superliga with Atletico Nacional. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup.

DEFENCE

Rodolfo Rotondi, 28

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (2/0), San Luis (17/4), Santiago Wanderers (28/7), Defensa y Justicia (49/8), Cruz Azul (111/21)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4.5M

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys. Won a Recopa Sudamericana with Defensa y Justicia. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul.

Gonzalo Piovi, 30

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Velez Sarsfield (2/0), Argentinos Juniors (35/0), Racing Club (47/7), Gimnasia La Plata (18/0), Defensa y Justicia (8/0), Colon (37/2), Cruz Azul (60/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2.8M

Notes: Developed by Velez Sarsfield. Won an Argentinian second division league title with Argentinos Juniors. Won a Trofeo de Campeones with Racing Club. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul.

Willer Ditta, 28

Colombia (2/0)

Notable Clubs: Barranquilla (43/1), Atletico Junior (86/1), Newell’s Old Boys (29/1), Cruz Azul (76/2)

Estimate Transfer Value: €5M

Notes: Full name: Willer Emilio Ditta Perez. Won a Columbian league title and two Colombian Super Cups with Atletico Junior. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul.

Erik Lira, 25

Mexico (8/0)

Notable Clubs: UNAM Pumas (57/0), Cruz Azul (133/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Full name: Erik Antonio Lira Mendez. Developed by UNAM Pumas and Necaxa. Won a Supercopa and a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul. Named to Liga MX Best XI 2021 Apertura. Won a CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League with Mexico.

Jorge Sanchez, 27

Mexico (51/2)

Notable Clubs: Santos Laguna (32/0), Club America (125/2), Ajax (17/2), Porto (14/0), Cruz Azul (37/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2.5M

Notes: Full name: Jorge Eduardo Sanchez Ramos. Developed by Santos Laguna. Won a Liga MX title with Santos Laguna. Won a Liga MX, Copa MX, and Campeon de Campeones with Club America. Won a Taca de Portugal with Porto. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul. Won 2x CONCACAF Gold Cup and a CONCACAF Nations League with Mexico. Named to CONCACAF Best XI 2021. Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI 2023.

MIDFIELD

Lorenzo Faravelli, 32

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (24/1), Union Espanola (30/2), Gimnasia La Plata (84/13), Huracan (8/0), Independiente del Valle (106/18), Cruz Azul (64/11)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.8M

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys. Won an Argentinian league title with Newell’s Old Boys. Won an Ecuadorian league title and Copa Sudamericana with Independiente del Valle. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul.

Luka Romero, 20

Mexico

Notable Clubs: Mallorca (7/1), Lazio (14/1), AC Milan (4/0), Almeria (13/3), Alaves (6/0), Cruz Azul (20/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4M

Notes: Full name: Luka Romero Bezzana. Developed by Formentera, Sant Jordi, and Mallorca. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul.

FORWARD

Carlos Rodriguez, 28

Mexico (60/0)

Notable Clubs: Monterrey (110/4), Toledo (30/3), Cruz Azul (130/8)

Estimated Transfer Value: €5M

Notes: Full name: Carlos Alberto Rodriguez Gomez. Won a Liga MX title, Copa MX, and two CONCACAF Champions Leagues with Monterrey. Won a Supercopa and a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul. Won 3x CONCACAF Gold Cups and a CONCACAF Nations League with Mexico. Named Liga MX Best XI Apertura 2019. Named 2x CONCACAF Champions League Best XI.

Angel Sepulveda, 34

Mexico (12/3)

Notable Clubs: Morelia (62/9), Queretaro (171/34), CD Guadalajara (5/0), Necaxa (29/2), Tijuana (19/2), Cruz Azul (75/27)

Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000

Notes: Full name: Angel Baltazar Sepulveda Sanchez. Won a Copa MX with Queretaro. Won a CONCACAF Champions Cup with Cruz Azul. Won a CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League with Mexico. Named Liga MX Best XI Apertura 2024. Named CONCACAF Champions Cup Best Player 2025. Won CONCACAF Champions Cup Golden Boot 2025 (9 goals). Named to CONCACAF Champions Cup Best XI.

Jose Paradela, 26

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Gimnasia La Plata (26/0), River Plate (65/6), Tigre (14/1), Necaxa (53/16), Cruz Azul (3/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7M

Notes: Developed by Club Atletico Quiroga. Won 2x Argentine league titles, a Supercopa Argentina, and a Trofeo de Campeones with River Plate.

Familiar Faces

None.

Squads

It’s 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday 30 July, the night before the match, as I write this. I couldn’t find any game notes or player availability information at the Leagues Cup website’s Media Contacts link. I’ll list the Sounders squad minus those who were injured for Saturday, and I’ll list the full squad for Cruz Azul.

Sounders FC from:

Thomas, Castro, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Burney, Gomez Andrade, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Brunell, Leyva, Cristian, Rusnak, Vargas, de la Vega, De Rosario, Ferreira, Kent, Minoungou, Musovski.

Cruz Azul from:

Gudino, Mier, Ochoa, Sanchez, Campos, Ditta, Orozco, Rubio, Vargas, Piovi, Lira, Bogusz, Faravelli, Montano, Rivero, Marquez, Garcia, Romero, Rodriguez, Paradela, Samano, Zaleta, Rotondi, Jimenez, Sepulveda, Giakoumakis, Fernandez, Gamboa.

Injury List

There’s zero injury information for either club that was available at press time. I’ll list the Sounders’ injuries as they were on 25 July.

Sounders FC -

OUT: Rothrock (hand), Morris (shoulder), Frei (concussion), Hawkins (quadriceps), Joao Paulo (knee), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Cruz Azul -

OUT: No information.

MATCHDAY DECISION: No information.

Discipline

No players suspended. First match of tournament for both clubs.

Fun Fact

Sounders have signed Sounders FC Reserves midfielder Snyder Brunell to a 2½-years senior contract with an option for 2029. Congratulations, lad. Do us proud.

ATLANTA UNITED FC v. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. It’s time for Sounders FC to make a road trip to Atlanta. Eat chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, get into a fight at 3 a.m. at a Waffle House on 2578 Cobb Parkway Southeast which someone will inevitably record on their phone and post to Worldstar. Well…that was awfully specific.

What: MLS league match, Atlanta United FC v. Seattle Sounders FC.

Where: Mangum Street, Atlanta, Georgia.

When: 4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Saturday 26 July 2025 CE.

At Stake: Points in the league. If Sounders defeat the Atlanta, we go up to 40 points and that’s inarguably a good thing. That said, if Orlando (@CLB) win their match in Ohio, we’ll be stuck in 10th place anyweh. However, if Columbus win or draw and we win, we move up to 9th. That may seem like no great shakes. So it’s a good time to point out that we’re currently 11 points adrift of leaders FC Cincinnati. Sounders have 11 matches left in the league schedule. Cincinnati earn an average of two points per match, with 10 matches remaining for them. Maths done, that puts Cincinnati squarely on 68 points at the end. Further maths: For us to earn 69 points means we would need a total of 32 of a possible 33 points……………fuck. We’re not winning the league, but I kind of predicted that before the season began, and it was further confirmed by our 1-3-3 start to the season. So all that’s left to play for in the league is jockeying for MLS Cup playoff berths and possible qualification for CONCACAF. So that leaves us having to get past San Diego if we want to qualify for CONCACAF. San Diego earn an average of 1.79 points per match and have 10 matches remaining. Extrapolated at a rate of 1.79 points per match, is 17.9 points which we’ll round up to 18, giving San Diego 61 points at season’s end. For us to earn 62 points we would need 25 points out of a possible 33. This means that Sounders need a record of at least 8-1-2 over our last 11. It can be done, but it’s highly unlikely. We’d have to be perfect against Atlanta, LA Galaxy x2, Minnesota, Kansas City, Salt Lake, Austin, and NYCFC, conceding losses to only Vancouver and Miami, and no worse than a draw when Portland come callin’. If we should lose a third match during this 11 match stretch, then it’s time to rest first-choice players, see what we have in the cupboard for the future, and use the last two matches to re-insert the first-choice players and prepare for MLS Cup. Anyweh, if you’re still reading and ken the words, well done, you. You have achieved a true understanding of exactly where we are in all of this.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Where to Listen: KJR 93.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Well, we haven’t played this lot in two years. Despite spending a whole heap of money, the Atlanta find themselves buried in 26th place in the league table. Atlanta last won a football match in May. 28 May to be exact, when they defeated visiting and currently 9th placed Orlando 3:2. That makes this match on Sat a classic MLS trap match. There the Atlanta are, ripe for the taking. All statistical metrics point to victory. But MLS league football doesn’t give a shite about the numbers. It gives a shite about parity, and gives zero fucks for pretty much anything else but taking your money and shitting all over history and tradition (see US Open Cup). They will vacuum in as much of your money as they can take in with their fat, greedy hands. Not that I’m fussed about it.

At any rate, if you’re a world traveller, and independently wealthy enough to travel to Atlanta away, good on ye and safe journey. Look after each other, tie your scarves proper, and generally behave yourself until you are seated at the ground. Should that not be possible, that leaves us here, in The Evergreen, to agonise over every moment, eyes hopeful and glued to the telly screen as we quaff lager on the settee at someone’s hame, or at the pub, or on a boat somewhere with exceptionally good wi-fi. A captive audience, and also a captive people, trying desperately to forget or deny that America is on the express train to the Fatherland and also tryna not think of starving folk around the globe or the mass murder that our government is aiding and abetting without our consent. Good times [sarcasm].

Right. Um…errrrr, it’s Sounders football under the Saturday night lights of the Mangum Street football ground. Also: The American state of Georgia was the last state to be re-admitted to the Union on 15 July 1870. This is why history as it actually happened, instead of some revisionist fucking nonsense, is important, Ladies and Gents. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

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

If we can’t sort the Atlanta on Sat, in the sad state they’re in, how are we supposed to defeat

clubs from Liga MX and the more elite clubs in MLS?

The Good News

Sounders are crushing it in the league. Since 12 April, the lads have amassed a 9-4-3 record. That’s right, only three defeats in 16 matches. After the rough start, and injuries that come with it, we corrected course, and are blazing a trail through the rest of the league, leaving burnt crops– I mean dispirited football teams in our wake.

That 4-3-6 away record isn’t doin’ us any favours. That said, we won our last away match at Kansas City. So that’s not nothin’.

Atlanta’s home record is dead even at 4-4-4.

Atlanta struggle to score goals, averaging only 1.17 goals/match. Compounded with their leaky defence (1.87 goals conceded/match), Atlanta continue to experience difficulty getting results this season.

We used our youngers to great effect against the San Jose last Sat. Baker-Whiting, Vargas, de la Vega, and Kossa-Rienzi gave a good accounting of themselves. Hopefully, Baker-Whiting and de la Vega are starting to earn the Gaffer’s trust because we need them for the stretch run. We need them for more than 10-minute cameos at the end of a decided match.

Danny Musovski is a revelation. He’s hit eight goals, and finally got a real chance to show what he can do as a proper striker. We are grateful, Moose. Carry on.

Let’s give some long overdue credit to our table-setters. Sounders FC assist leaders are: Cristian Roldan 8, Rusnak 7, Rothrock and Ferreira tied with 6, de la Vega and Vargas tied with 4, and Kent with 3 despite only being in the team five times. Well done, lads! Unselfish play will take us far indeed.

We won the Heritage Cup! Yeh, I know it’s only a regional rivalry cup, but it’s the only silverware, errrrr bronzewear, that we’ve won in two and a half seasons, so beggars cannae be choosers. So cheers to victory over the San Jose!

We have played better than Atlanta against all our common opponents this season.

The Bad News

Looks like Morris has done his shoulder, Rothrock has done his hand and had successful surgery on it, and they’ll both be out with injury for Saturday. If it doesn’t rain, it pours.

We’ve never won away at Atlanta with an all-time record there of 0-1-1. In fact, in six matches all-time in the league, we’ve only defeated them one time (1-3-2).

The abject, greedy fuckery of Leagues Cup is about to compress the shite out of the schedule. Although there will be a decent recovery period between Atlanta and Cruz Azul (4 days), it’s only two days between matches before we face Santos Laguna, and two days between before we face Tijuana. Perhaps we should play our youngers in this tournament. If it was good enough for the US Open Cup because fixture clutter, then this is exactly the same situation. That said, don’t expect the same response from the Sounders hierarchy, because greed.

The combined estimated transfer values of Atlanta strikers Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath (€28M) is only €7M less than the combined estimated transfer values of our starting 11 (€35M, for Thomas, Nouhou, Ragen, Gomez Andrade, Alex, Cristian, Vargas, Rothrock, Rusnak, Ferreira, and Morris).

Remy Touchan is the match official for Saturday night. We have won only one match of six with Touchan as Referee, with the rest all defeats (1-0-5). However, Atlanta have won two of three with Touchan as Referee.

Herve Diese has been sacked as Manager of the Sounders Reserves. Unless Diese merited severe discipline from the club, I feel this is a terrible mistake. Michael Morris will be caretaker Manager of the Reserves until a replacement can be sorted.

The Side I Would Select

As there’s been ample recovery time since last Sat and the victory over San Jose, and four days between Atlanta and the first Leagues Cup group stage match against Cruz Azul, we can play whomever we want out of those available and fit in the squad.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Ferreira

CF     Musovski

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I’d expect our starting eleven from the midweek against Colorado, with a few tweaks. If Nouhou is still in the Gaffer’s doghouse over suspensions, you might see Jon Bell at left-back.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     Kent

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Ferreira

CF     Musovski

Intangibles

Officiating.

Ramy Touchan will be the match Referee for Saturday night.

Atlanta record with Touchan as Ref: 2-0-1

Sounders FC record with Touchan as Ref: 1-0-5

We are being left behind.

ATL disclosed transfer spend for 2025 season: €30.8M

SEA disclosed transfer spend for 2025 season: €1.45M

General notes on personnel

Atlanta transfers IN:

Thiare - re-signed

Hernandez - re-signed

Reilly - academy

Togashi (Sagan Tosu) free

Almiron (Newcastle United) €9.55M

Latte Lath (Middlesbrough) €21.25M

Chong Qui - reserves 

Mihaj (Famalicao) free

Atlanta transfers OUT:
Centeno (Birmingham Legion) free

Firmino (Lexington) free

Ibarra (Rosario Central) free

McCarty - retired

Rios (Guadalajara) end of loan

Westberg - retired

Sosa (Racing Club) €3.4M

Wolff (Real Salt Lake) €42,600

Xande Silva (St. Louis City SC) €213,000

Mosquera (Millonarios) loan

Klich - released

Morales (CF Montreal) €681,000

Comparison against common opponents

CLT 2:0 ATL

ATL 2:3 CLT

SEA 2:2 CLT

(against CLT: ATL 0-0-2 -3, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

ATL 1:1 DAL

DAL 0:1 SEA

SEA 1:0 DAL

(against DAL: ATL 0-1-0 0, SEA 2-0-0 +2) decisive edge SEA

ATL 1:1 NSH

SEA 3:0 NSH

(against NSH: ATL 0-1-0 0, SEA 1-0-0 +3) decisive edge SEA

ATX 1:1 ATL

SEA 2:0 ATX

(against ATX: ATL 0-1-0 0, SEA 1-0-0 +2) edge SEA

CLB 3:1 ATL

SEA 1:1 CLB

(against CLB: ATL 0-0-1 -2, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

Know Thine Enemy

Atlanta as they lined up in their 2:3 defeat against Charlotte at Mangum Street on 19 July.

GOALKEEPER

Brad Guzan, 40

United States (64/0)

Notable Clubs: Chivas USA (79/0), Aston Villa (144/0), Hull City (16/0), Middlesbrough (10/0), Atlanta United FC (221/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €100,000

Notes: Played his university football for South Carolina (38/0). Won three CONCACAF Gold Cups with United States. Won MLS Cup, US Open Cup, and Campeones Cup with Atlanta United. Named to 2007 MLS Best XI. Named 2007 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Won CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Glove in 2015.

DEFENCE

Matthew Edwards, 22

United States

Notable Clubs: Atlanta United FC (21/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €450,000

Notes: Developed by Atlanta United FC. Played his university football for North Carolina (41/0). 

Derrick Williams, 32

Republic of Ireland (3/1)

Notable Clubs: Aston Villa (1/0), Bristol City (111/4), Blackburn Rovers (138/6), Los Angeles Galaxy (47/0), Atlanta United FC (42/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €400,000

Notes: Developed by Tramore AFC and Aston Villa. Won a Football League Trophy and League One title with Bristol City.

Efrain Morales, 21 (Morales was sold to CF Montreal on 23 July for €800,000)

Bolivia (6/0)

Notable Clubs: Atlanta United (9/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €150,000

Notes: Full name: Efrain Andres Morales Badillo. Developed by Atlanta United FC.

Ronald Hernandez, 27

Venezuela (32/1)

Notable Clubs: Zamora (17/0), Stabaek (57/0), Aberdeen (6/0), Atlanta United FC (60/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €350,000

Notes: Developed by Zamora.

MIDFIELD

Bartosz Slisz, 26

Poland (17/1)

Notable Clubs: Zaglebie Lubin (48/2), Legia Warsaw (116/3), Atlanta United FC (48/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4M

Notes: Developed by RKP Rybnik and ROW Rybnik. Won 2x Ekstraklasa, a Polish Cup, and a Polish Super Cup with Legia Warsaw.

Tristan Muyumba, 28

France

Notable Clubs: Cercle Brugge (1/0), Toulon (7/0), Guingamp (70/4), Atlanta United FC (54/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.2M

Notes: Full name: Tristan Muyumba Nkita. Developed by AS Meudon, Montrouge FC 92, and Monaco.

Aleksei Miranchuk, 29

Russia (46/8)

Notable Clubs: Lokomotiv Moscow (178/32), Atalanta (71/9), Torino (29/4), Atlanta United FC (32/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €9M

Notes: Developed by Olymp Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Spartak Moscow, and Lokomotiv Moscow. Won a Russian Premier League title, x3 Russian Cups, and a Russian Super Cup with Lokomotiv Moscow. Won a UEFA Europa League title with Atalanta. Named best under-21 player of the Russian Football Premier League 2013-14.

FORWARD

Miguel Almiron, 31

Paraguay (68/8)

Notable Clubs: Cerro Porteno (39/6), Lanus (35/3), Atlanta United FC (83/24), Newcastle United (186/23)

Estimated Transfer Value: €10M

Notes: Full name: Miguel Angel Almiron Rejala. Developed by Cerro Porteno. Won 2x Paraguayan Primera Division titles with Cerro Porteno. Won an Argentine Primera Division title and a Copa Bicentenario with Lanus. Won an MLS Cup with Atlanta United. Won an English League Cup with Newcastle United. 2x MLS Best XI. Named MLS Newcomer of the Year 2017.

Emmanuel Latte Lath, 26

Cote d’Ivoire (4/0)

Notable Clubs: Carrarese (17/0), St. Gallen (31/14), Middlesbrough (59/27), Atlanta United FC (22/7)

Estimated Transfer Value: €18M

Notes: Developed by Atalanta.

Luke Brennan, 20

United States

Notable Clubs: Atlanta United FC (14/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €150,000

Notes: Developed by Atlanta United. Has played for United States U-20s (1/0).

Familiar Faces

Former Sounders FC General Manager, Garth Lagerwey, is the President and CEO of Atlanta United FC.

Former Sounders FC Technical Director, Chris Henderson, is the Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director of Atlanta United FC.

Squads

Atlanta from:

Guzan, Hibbert, Hernandez, Williams, Mihaj, Gregersen, Amador, Abram, Edwards, Chong Qui, Muyumba, Lobjanidze, Almiron, Lennon, Cobb, Reilly, Miranchuk, Slisz, Thiare, Latte Lath, Brennan, Gordon, Togashi.

Sounders FC from:

Thomas, Castro, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Burney, Gomez Andrade, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Leyva, Cristian, Rusnak, Vargas, de la Vega, De Rosario, Ferreira, Kent, Minoungou, Musovski.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Atlanta -

OUT: Cohen (arm), Fortune (foot).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Sounders FC -

OUT: Rothrock (hand), Morris (shoulder), Frei (concussion), Hawkins (quadriceps), Joao Paulo (knee), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Atlanta: No players suspended. Fortune would be out next match if booked, but he’s injured, so it doesn’t matter.

Sounders FC: No players suspended. For once.

Fun Fact

Bad news: Paul Rothrock broke his hand. Good news: he’s not expected to be out long. Mend soon, Paul. We need you.