Seattle Sounders will aim to make a statement on home soil when they face off against Atletico Madrid in their second Group B match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field on Thursday, June 19th.
The Sounders, one of three MLS representatives, opened their campaign against Botafogo on June 15th with a 2-1 loss. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid, a La Liga powerhouse, kicked off their tournament against European champions Paris Saint-Germain on the same day, suffering a 4-0 defeat after the dismissal of centre-back Clement Lenglet.
Match Preview
Seattle Sounders, coming off their MLS season where they finished fourth in the Western Conference in 2024, face a daunting challenge in Group B, which includes heavyweights PSG, Atletico Madrid, and South American champions Botafogo. The Sounders’ recent form in the MLS has been solid but not spectacular, with a 7-5-4 record in their last 16 matches, including a 1-0 win over San Diego FC. They’ve been strong at home, as they have suffered defeat just once in their last ten outings at Lumen Field and will lean on this advantage against their European opponents.
However, their experience at the 2022 Club World Cup, where they exited in the second round, showed they can compete with top-tier teams but need to elevate their game significantly. Seattle have scored 25 goals in 18 MLS matches this season, led by midfielder Albert Rusnák, but their defence has been inconsistent, keeping only two clean sheets in their last ten competitive outings.
Atletico Madrid, ranked eighth in the Club World Cup power rankings, are a formidable force known for their defensive solidity and tactical discipline under Diego Simeone. Their 2024-25 La Liga campaign saw them finish consistently among Spain’s elite, though they fell short of silverware. Atletico’s match against PSG on June 15th was a high-intensity affair, and while they remain one of Europe’s strongest sides, they’ve struggled to keep clean sheets recently, having also conceded seven goals in their last four matches across all competitions.
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The two sides have never met, but Atletico’s experience in high-stakes tournaments gives them an edge. Seattle, however, will draw confidence from their home crowd and the protest-fuelled energy surrounding their “Fair Share Now” campaign against MLS prize money caps, which has galvanised the squad.
Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer has his team well-organised, but they’ll need to be at their absolute best to trouble Atletico’s robust defence. Conversely, Simeone will be wary of Seattle’s counter-attacking threat, especially with players like Rusnák and Ryan Kent, who are eager to shine on this global stage.
Seattle Sounders FIFA Club World Cup form:
Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):
Atletico Madrid FIFA Club World Cup form:
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):
Team News
For Seattle, Albert Rusnák is expected to lead the midfield, with his seven goals and three assists in the MLS this season making him a key figure. Jordan Morris, who expressed excitement about playing at home in the Club World Cup, earning a possible recall to the starting eleven in attack. The backline could feature Jackson Ragen and Kee-hee Kim, with Pedro de la Vega possibly returning from injury to add flair on the wing.
Atletico Madrid may field a strong XI, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez leading the attack. Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios are expected to provide balance, while the defensive unit could include Robin Le Normand and José María Giménez. Jan Oblak remains a rock in goal. Meanwhile, Simeone might consider starting players such as Koke, Connor Gallagher or Rodrigo Riquelme to manage fatigue after their PSG clash.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Nouhou, Ragen, Kim, A. Roldan; C. Roldan, Vargas; Kent, Rusnák, Ferreira; Morris
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Galan, Le Normand, Giménez, Llorente; Lino, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone; Griezmann, Alvarez
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Seattle’s home advantage and passionate fan base will make this a competitive encounter, but Atletico’s experience and quality should shine through. The Sounders’ attacking threats like Rusnák and Morris could cause problems, but Atletico’s defensive nous and clinical finishing are likely to secure a narrow victory.
