By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Sounders’ Quest: Building Belief to End Losing Streak

The word belief was kicked around in the Sounders Match Day -1 press conference Saturday morning. Schmetzer was joined by current captain Albert Rusnak. The two talked about the belief that the Sounders hold and must increase to snap a club-record seven-game losing streak across all competitions. The Sounders will host Liga MX side Queretaro FC on Sunday at Lumen Field and look to even their Leagues Cup record after a 3-0 defeat at Toluca FC. A belief is an attitude, idea or conviction that something is true or real. Right now, the Sounders must have the belief that they are the same soccer team that started the season as one of the best clubs in MLS.

LOOKING FOR THE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE



To have belief, there must be hope and trust.   Of the Sounders’ seven losses, two have been at home, and the last five have been on the road. Sunday will mark the first  home game for the Sounders since their 5-1 loss to the Portland Timbers on July 16th

“ Because there is not much positive and a lot of negativity from everywhere, the one thing that we talked amongst ourselves as players is that during this, uh, losing streak, the majority of the games were on the road, and it’s been, you know, a while since we played at home,” said Rusnak. “

“I think it’s going to be important for us to keep the fans engaged, and also, you know, I don’t want to say give them hope, but, you know, just reassure them that we are still the same team that started the season, in a winning fashion. And we were playing really well. And it’s still the same group of players,”

DO THE PLAYERS BELIEVE IN THE COACH AND THE SYSTEM

Professional sports is a business, and like any other business, when there is a lack of expected results, the first question to be asked is about the leadership. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Brian Schmetzer has lost the locker room.  Simply put, do the players believe in Schmetzer, one of the most decorated coaches in MLS history?

“I mean,  if we’re talking about a guy that’s sitting next to me,  who has won every single trophy that it’s possible to win. So, since I’ve been here, we’ve won the Champions League and the League Cup last year, and we’ve played the exact same way. I think we’ve had far more good games than bad games in the last 4 years, if you want to say in terms of how we when we started playing this this way. I mean, I think we’ve had a ton of success. lately, although we have not yet won the MLS Cup, “  said Rusnack. “Since  I’ve been here, a lot of positives, a lot of great games to remember. You know, games here in the Leagues Cup last year, when we scored 7 at home and things like that. 
So there are a lot of positives. It’s just hard to find the positives right now.”

STAYING STEADY

As for Schmetzer, there is no doubt the losses have taken their toll on the down-to-earth, pragmatic players’ coach.  Despite the slide, Schmetzer has been unwavering in his players, coaches, and process to turn things around.

 “There is a balance between giving them too much information and, you know, overloading them versus giving them good, clear coaching,’  said Schmetzer. “ So we’re trying to find that right balance. I think we have willing students, and at some point, we’re gonna, you know, get a hold, get a hold of a game, get in front, not concede the first goal, and then we’ll be able to dictate tempo.” 

  The belief for Schmetzer and his players is that the moment of getting ahead and dictating tempo, which wil lead to a win, will come on  Sunday afternoon

PREGAME NOTES

WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to continental bragging rights, the top three finishers from Leagues Cup will secure automatic bids to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion will receive a direct spot in the CCC Round of 16.

CURRENT DOMESTIC STANDINGS (W-L-T): Sounders: 7-7-3 (24 points, 9th West, MLS), Querétaro: 2-1-0 (6 points, 7th Liga MX Apertura)

FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: LLLLL, Querétaro: LWWLW

LEAGUES CUP MATCHDAY 1 RESULT: Sounders: Lost 3-0 at Toluca FC, Querétaro: Lost 2-0 at FC Dallas

LEAGUES CUP STANDINGS (W-L-PKW-PKL): Sounders: 0-1-0-0 (0 points, 18th MLS), Querétaro: 0-1-0-0 (0 points, 14th Liga MX)

 • The Rave Green won the 2025 edition of the tournament, capped off with a 3-0 win over Inter Miami in front of 69,314 fans at Lumen Field.

 • The Leagues Cup 2025 win completed Seattle’s trophy cabinet, becoming the first team to win MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, Leagues Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

 • Following Sunday’s match, the Rave Green play in its final Phase One fixture in Leagues Cup 2026 with a home match against Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday, August 12, on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, El Rey 1360 AM

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