The Seattle Sounders end their 2026 Leagues Cup run with a loss to Chivas de Guadalajara. Brian Schmetzer used a heavily rotated lineup for the Sounders, with four current Tacoma Defiance players starting the match. Another four starters were former Defiance players who had joined the first team within the last season.
Despite both teams having nothing to play for, Chivas rolled out a surprisingly un-rotated lineup. The Sounders squad had only one player above the age of 25 in the starting eleven, that being Stefan Frei.
Center-back Gallatin Sandnes scored a shocking early goal off a corner, marking his first professional goal in the 13th minute of the match. Sandnes had a very strong performance defensively apart from the goal, an impressive showing from the 18-year-old.
Chivas would eventually break down the Sounders defense in the second half, with Luis Rey scoring in the 61st minute and then Santiago Sandoval scoring in the 72nd minute to take the lead and ultimately win the match.
Ryan Hampton / House of Sounders
Following the match, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer was asked about the performance of the players that he started, given the heavy rotation. “That’s what it means to wear the jersey. The way those guys fought was the best thing about this evening. Yeah, we didn’t win, I get it. But you got a kid, Charlie (Gaffney), who may or may not make it but he busted his ass because he knew it was his shot,” said Brian Schmetzer. He further talked about the other Defiance players who were on short-term call-ups, Mark O’Neill, Gallatin Sandnes, and Edson Carli.
“That’s going to take this franchise further than any sort of TAM signing or anything like that. That effort from that group of guys is going to get us a long way. And it is going to continue to be the basis of what this franchise stands for: wearing the jersey,” said Brian Schmetzer as he pointed to his chest where the Sounders logo would be had he been wearing a jersey.
Pre-Game
Both sides entered this match with relatively nothing to play for. Chivas de Guadalajara had already been eliminated from contention to move on to the knockout round, while the Sounders needed a win by at least four goals plus results in five games elsewhere to give them a chance.
The Sounders ended a seven-game losing streak just days prior with a win over Queretaro. Building momentum as they return to MLS play was the goal for the match against Chivas.
Ryan Hampton / House of Sounders
Key Moments
13’: Goal SEA 1-0, Gallatin Sandnes (Antino Lopez)
61’: Goal GLD 1-1, Luis Rey
72’: Goal GLD 1-2, Santiago Sandoval (Luis Romo)
Post-Game
Stefan Frei was once again the leader on the pitch for the Sounders. The 40-year-old keeper was the only player above the age of 25 in the starting lineup for the Rave Green. Frei recorded 10 saves in the match, keeping Chivas out for a long stretch of the match.
“I was excited to play, and excited to play in big matches,” said Stefan Frei when asked about his performance across the three leagues cup games. “There are always things you look back at and you could have done better. I’m happy that I’ve still been able to grow at my age, and still try to learn. That hunger is still there to try to improve every day.”
Ryan Hampton / House of Sounders
From the oldest player on the pitch to one of the youngest, Gallatin Sandnes made his first professional start for the Sounders. The 18-year-old scored his first professional goal in the 13th minute, marking the second player in as many games for the Sounders to pull off such a feat.
“I’ve dreamed about playing for the Sounders since I was young,” said Gallatin Sandnes. The Seattle native who grew up just north of the University of Washington watched the Sounders from a young age. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity and hopefully there is more to come.”
Based on the performances from Sandnes with the first team, I am sure this will not be the last time we see him playing in an important match for the Rave Green.
Takeaways
Despite the result not going in their favor, the Sounders can learn a thing or two from this match. Perhaps a message to the regular starters that their position may not be all that safe. You have a young group of guys that are hungry and determined to prove they have what it takes to play at the top level.
This match showed the heart and the character of this organization. While there wasn’t as much talent on the field as having a veteran lineup of proven players, the youngsters played with a relentless amount of effort that seems to be lacking within the regular starters. Schmetzer noted in his post-game press conference a similar idea. That this game should be a wake-up call to all of the players in the locker room that may have become complicit because they did not feel that they are in any danger of losing their spot.
Ryan Hampton / House of Sounders
Match Stats
Score: Sounders 1 – 2 Chivas
Venue: Lumen Field
Weather: Clear, 72°F (22°C)
Attendance: 22,031
Referee: Marco Ortiz
Possession %: 35 – 65
Shots (on target): 10 (2) – 24 (12)
Saves: 10 – 1
Fouls: 6 – 7
Yellow Cards (Red): 0 – 1
What’s Next
The Sounders will return to MLS action on Sunday with a home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Following the pair of losses to Portland, the Sounders’ chances of winning the Cascadia Cup are very slim. It would require winning both matches against Vancouver, while turning around their goal difference from -5 to at least +2. While not mathematically impossible, the odds of defeating the Whitecaps in dominant fashion multiple times may be asking a lot.
Following the Vancouver match, the Sounders will remain at home for a midweek game against Austin FC before then heading on the road to FC Cincinnati. After a record-worst seven losses in a row, the Sounders sit in 9th place in the Western Conference, level on points with 8th place Portland and 10th place Minnesota. With another half of the season remaining, the Rave Green can still turn it back around and put themselves firmly in a playoff spot.
Cover Photo: Ryan Hampton / House of Sounders
