The Seattle Sounders started on the front foot against Botafogo and, in surprising fashion, had the lion’s share of possession and early chances. Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas were the catalysts in the Sounders’ frontal attack. Their movement from the back third, middle third, and final third gave space and time to Jesus Ferreria and Albert Runsnák to get an early foothold in the game. Vargas slalomed through the Botafogo defense, created space, and then laid the ball off to Alex Roldan, who was cutting in from the right flank. Roldan was unable to get his body around the ball and the shot was wide of the goal. That attempt was just eight minutes into the contest.
EARLY CHANCES CONTINUE
The Sounders had a second attempt at goal. In the 14th minute, Rusnack laid the ball off to a streaking Jesus Ferreria, who, like Roldan, was unable to get the ball on the Botafogo goal. Rusnâk had his own look at goal two minutes later, but his shot was also high and wide.
PHOTO GALLERY BY FRANCINE SCOTT
BAD FOUL BAD DEFENDING
With the Sounders unable to convert their chances, Botafogo began to gain confidence and push forward with urgency. A Nouhou Tolo yellow card outside of the Sounders’ goal area gifted the visitors a free kick in the 28th minute. Alex Telles’ cross from the right side found the head of an on-rushing Jair Paula, who headed the ball past Stefan Frei for the 1-0 lead. The lead intensified Botafogo’s resolve for a second goal. That second goal came three minutes before halftime. Like the first goal, a cross into the box was uncontested . A Vitinho cross found the head of Igo Jesus, who headed the ball past Frei for the 2-0 lead.
BRIGHT SECOND HALF
Sensing some shaky defending, Schmetzer inserted Reed Baker-Whiting for Nouhou, who was already on a yellow, and Jon Bell for Kim Kee-hee, who has had better days. The switch stabilized the Sounders’ defense, which gave Cristian Roldan and Vargas more impetus to push forward. With the tide turning in his favor, Schmetzer made a stout substitution. In the 69th minute, Pedro de la Vega replaced Ferreira, and Paul Rothrock came in for Kent. The substitutes brought speed and pace to the flanks for the Sounders. The result was a wide-open contest.
FRANTITIC FINISH
The Sounders ‘ fast-paced, downhill attack paid dividends in the 75th minute. Cristian Roldan was fouled, which gave the Sounders a set-piece opportunity outside of the Botafogo goal. Rusnák’s cross into the box sailed to the left flank where a waiting Rochrock crossed the ball back into the box to an onrushing Cristian Roldan for the Sounders’ first goal of the game. Down just one goal the Sounders threw caution to the wind, pressed forward, hunted but were unable to find the equalizer.
THE BIG PICTURE
Leading up to the game, Sounders FC players discussed how dangerous Botafogo was with set pieces and their ability to win aerial duels. Crosses scored Botafogo‘s two goals into the box. This indicates a clear breakdown in communication during the defense of the crosses. The Sounders continue to have issues with finishing. Scoring is a mindset, a belief that you will score. The Sounders have lacked the conviction to score. They want to score, but wanting and executing are two different things.
MATCH NOTES
- Tonight’s match marked the beginning of Seattle’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ campaign. The Rave Green qualified for the global tournament by winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup.
- The result puts Seattle in third place in the Group B standings, tied with Atlético Madrid with zero points but leading in the goal differential tiebreaker. Paris Saint-Germain leads the group with three points and a plus-four goal differential after defeating Atlético Madrid 4-0 earlier today.
- Cristian Roldan’s goal in the 75th minute was his second in all competitions, also scoring in league play earlier this year. With the goal, Roldan became the first MLS player to score in a FIFA Club World Cup.
- Paul Rothrock’s assist on Roldan’s goal was his fourth in all competitions, tallying three assists in MLS play, as well.
- Seattle is one of three Major League Soccer teams competing in the tournament alongside Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles FC. Miami drew 0-0 in its first match against Al Ahly. LAFC plays Chelsea FC tomorrow in its first match of the competition.
- This marks Sounders FC’s second appearance in the competition, previously participating in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, losing 1-0 to Egyptian side Al Ahly in its first game of the tournament.
- Brian Schmetzer made two changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s MLS match against Vancouver, with Kim Kee-hee and Danny Musovski replacing Jon Bell and Pedro de la Vega, respectively.
- Following tonight’s result, Seattle continues its Group Stage run with matches against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, June 19 (3:00 p.m. PT / DAZN) and Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, June 23 (12:00 p.m. PT / DAZN). All of the Rave Green’s Group Stage fixtures are being played on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Botafogo 2
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Glenn Nyberg
Assistants: Mahbod Beigi, Andreas Söderkvist
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Kaugh
VAR: Marco Di Bello
Attendance: 30,151
Weather: 68 degrees and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
BOT – Jair Cunha (Alex Telles) 28’
BOT – Igor Jesus (Vitinho) 44’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (Paul Rothrock) 75’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Nouhou (caution) 28’
BOT – Alexander Barboza (caution) 61’
BOT – Joaquín Correa (caution) 64’
SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 87’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei – Captain; Alex Roldan, Kim Kee-hee (Jonathan Bell HT), Jackson Ragen, Nouhou (Reed Baker-Whiting HT); Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan; Jesús Ferreira (Pedro de la Vega 72’), Albert Rusnák, Ryan Kent (Paul Rothrock 71’); Danny Musovski (Osaze De Rosario 84’)
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Jacob Castro, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Cody Baker, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Travian Sousa, João Paulo, Danny Leyva, Jordan Morris, Georgi Minoungou
Total shots: 23
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 6
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 4
Saves: 4
Botafogo – John Victor; Alex Telles (Cuiabano 69’), Alexander Barboza, Jair Cunha, Vitinho; Arthur Guimarães, Marlon Freitas (Danilo Barbosa 86’), Gregore; Gonzalo Mastriani (Joaquín Correa HT), Jefferson Savarino (Arthur Cabral 69’), Igor Jesus (Santiago Rodríguez 86’)
Substitutes not used: Rwan Cruz, Léo Linck, Mateo Ponte, David Ricardo, Raul, Marçal, Allan, Newton, Álvaro Montoro, Kaio Pantaleão
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 19
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 0
Saves: 3
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