Seattle Sounders will aim to upset one of Europe’s elite clubs when they host Paris Saint-Germain at Lumen Field on Monday, June 23rd, 2025, at 20:00 GMT in their final Group B match of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Sounders, the first MLS team to qualify for this expanded 32-team tournament, face a formidable challenge against the UEFA Champions League winners, who were favoured to top the group but lost to Botafogo 0-1 in one of the shock results of the tournament so far.
Match Preview
Seattle Sounders, playing all three of their group stage matches at home, have shown resilience in their 2024 MLS campaign, finishing fourth in the Western Conference with a 16-9-9 record and reaching the Western Conference Final. As we reported in the past in our football stats database that covers the MLS, their historic 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup title earned them a spot in this tournament, but facing PSG’s star-studded lineup will test their mettle. The Sounders have been defensively solid, conceding just 1.2 goals per game on average in MLS, though their attack has been less prolific, averaging 1.5 goals per match.
PSG, dominant in Ligue 1 with 13 titles, including the 2024/2025 season, qualified for the Club World Cup via their strong UEFA ranking over the past four years. They’ve advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds for 11 consecutive seasons, showcasing their pedigree. Their recent defensive form has also been strong, as they have conceded just one goal in their last four games in all competitions. At the other end of the pitch, PSG’s attack remains lethal, averaging over 2.5 goals per game in Ligue 1 this season.
The two sides have never met competitively, but Seattle’s home advantage at Lumen Field, backed by a passionate crowd, could make this a closer contest than expected. The Sounders have lost just two of their last 11 home games across all competitions, while PSG have struggled on the road in recent matches, winning just two of their last five away matches.
Head coach Brian Schmetzer will look to exploit PSG’s occasional defensive lapses, while Luis Enrique’s side will aim to dominate possession and overwhelm Seattle with their attacking firepower. The top two teams from Group B advance to the knockout phase, making this match critical for both sides’ aspirations.
Seattle Sounders FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Botafogo: 1-2 (L) 16/06/2025
- Atletico Madrid: 1-3 (L) 19/06/2025
Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):
- L (H) 2-3 against Minnesota (MLS) 01/06/25
- W (H)1-0 against San Diego (MLS) 29/05/25
- W (H) 1-0 against Dallas (MLS) 24/05/25
- W (H) 4-1 against St. Louis (MLS) 04/05/25
- W (H) 3-0 against Nashville (MLS) 20/04/25
Paris Saint-Germain FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Atletico Madrid: 4-0 (W) 15/06/2025
- Botafogo: 0-1 (L) 20/06/2025
Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):
- W (N) 5-0 against Inter Milan (Champions League) 31/05/25
- W (H) 3-0 against Stade Reims (Coupe de France) 24/05/25
- W (H) 3-1 against Auxerre (Ligue One) 19/05/25
- W (A) 4-1 against Montpellier (Ligue One) 10/05/25
- W (H) 2-1 against Arsenal (Champions League) 07/05/25
Team News
Seattle could rely on key midfielder Albert Rusnák to orchestrate their attack, with his vision and set-piece delivery critical against PSG’s high press. Striker Danny Musovski could lead the line, supported by wingers Pedro de La Vega and Paul Rothrock. A back four of Reed Baker-Whiting, Jon Bell, Jackson Ragen, and Kalani Kossa-Rienzi is expected in front of goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
PSG head coach Luis Enrique is likely to rotate his squad after the Botafogo defeat last time out, but key players like Dembélé and Vitinha are certain to feature. An attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Bradley Barcola could start, with Vitinha pulling the strings in midfield. Captain Marquinhos could return to anchor the defence alongside Willian Pacho, with Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes providing width from the full-back positions.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Baker-Whiting, Bell, Ragen, Kossa-Rienzi; Vargas; C. Roldan; Rothrock, Rusnák, De La Vega; Musovski
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz; Dembélé, Ramos, Barcola
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Seattle’s home crowd and organised defence may keep the game competitive early, but PSG’s superior quality and attacking depth should prove decisive. The Sounders will look to frustrate their opponents, but PSG’s firepower is likely to secure a comfortable victory.
