Goals and Expectations for the Club World Cup

The Seattle Sounders are headed to the Club world Cup this weekend with a steep battle ahead of him. They stare in the face of the group of death with little chance to advance past the group stage and to the knockout rounds.

The Sounders have already showed their frustration with the tournament, a few weeks ago the team wore t-shirts that displayed their unhappiness with amount of money they are being awarded.

Seattle is also ranked as one of the worst teams in the competition and the worst of the three MLS teams that are competing in the club World Cup. In this article I will discuss what the goals are for Seattle and what the expectations are for them.

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Goals in the Group Stage

Seattle’s group can easily be defined as the group of death thanks to Atletico Madrid, reigning champions of Europe PSG, and Brazil powerhouse Botafogo. These three would make it a challenge for any team no matter the league or level to make it out of the group stage let alone secure one win.

Seattle’s goal in these group stage games is to keep it close and look like they belong. I know that is not flattering for Sounder fans as they would prefer to have a chance to compete, unfortunately they may not be the case.

A draw against any of these three teams will be treated like a victory, if Seattle can pack in and defend this result will be possible but still doubtful.

Against PSG and Atletico, the goal is to make the score line respectable and creating a few decent chances. These clubs are two of the best in their leagues that are considered part of the big five in the world.

Seattle’s goals may be seem disappointing, being in this competition gives them a chance to show that the MLS can stick with the big boys of the world.

Expectations

Similar to the goals of this squad, the expectations are even more disappointing for Seattle Sounder fans.

The expectations are that Seattle will lose all three games leaving the competition without a single point. holding PSG and Atletico to a single goal result will help gain respect for the MLS and American soccer as a whole.

LAFC and Miami only have to play one top team from Europe while Seattle is stuck facing off against two.

Seattle scoring a goal in these three games also appears to be unlikely, lesser teams typically have to buckle down and defend for 90 minutes while hoping for a counter attack that turns into a chance.

It doesn’t help their expectations that they are considered the worse of the three MLS teams in the Club World Cup with no international star power to draw in fan interest from European fans.

Seattle fans have even expressed that it may not be in the club’s best interest to even compete in this competition.

Despite those feelings of doubt, Seattle is in the Club World Cup with a chance to bring new eyes to the MLS. If they can prove the negative expectations wrong new fans across the world will know who the Sounders are.

Main Photo

Credit IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Recording Date 07.06.2025