Leading up to the Club World Cup Tournament, the Sounders have talked about the opportunity the competition is for the fans, clubs, and organizations. The Sounders qualified for the tournament by winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, defeating Liga MX side Pumas in the final. The club has undergone some personnel changes since hosting the trophy. Sunday’s Group Stage opener against Brazilian side Botafogo will be an opportunity for the Sounders to show how far they have come.
BOTAFOGO EARNED THE RIGHT
Like the Sounders, Botafogo also earned the right to compete in the tournament and is relishing the opportunity to play on one of soccer’s big stages. The Brazilian side won the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, an annual competition that crowns the best soccer club in South America.
COMPACT DEFENSIVE
Botafogo is an attacking side led by striker Igor Jesus. A versatile in the box striker who is now in contention to play for the Brazilian national team.
“I like to try to attack the spaces and I am mobile – I don’t just stay in the box. I am capable of holding onto balls played out by the keeper and holding off defenders, which I think helps to ease the pressure on the team in tough passages of play. I hope I can play well so that I get called up for future squads too,” Jesus told FIFA.com.
The Sounders’ backline will need to keep track of Jesus and not allow him time to shoot if he receives the ball in the box. The centerbacks Kim Kee-hee and Jackson Ragen will also have to track Jesus when he is making runs into the box. Cristian Roldan will also need to help track the runs. Roldan’s ability to play both offense and defense will be critical if the Sounders are to get a result.
BE CLINICAL WHEN FINISHING
The attacking five of Danny Musoviski, Jesus Ferreira, Pedro De la Vega, Albert Rusnack, and Ryan Kent have to be courageous when in the attacking third. Courageous in staying wide and creating runs for the ball carrier. Kent must be and De la Vega must take defenders on , then look for the cross and or find Musoviski, who will be running at Bofafogo’s back line. When given a chance, the Sounders’ attacking five must be clinical in their finishing. The Sounders will get few chances and must take advantage of them.
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