The Sounders wrapped up their preseason matches in Marbella, Spain with a bittersweet pair of friendlies today. The double-header matchday had the Sounders playing Swedish side Hammarby IF and Ukrainian side FC Metalist 1925 in rather familiar weather for the Seattle team.
Both matches were livestreamed through Youtube and on soundersfc.com, and the full stream is still available to watch on the Sounders Youtube channel. The first match kicked off at 1pm local time, translating 4am PT, meaning a very early wake up for fans who watched the game.
Sounders 3-1 Hammarby
The first of the two matches resulted in a pre-season Sounders victory over Swedish side Hammarby IF at the Banús Football Center in Marbella, Spain. The match was two 45-minute halves, unlike the previous Sounders friendly that consisted of three 45-minute periods.
Osaze De Rosario scored a brace in the match, while Jesus Ferreira scored his third goal of the preseason trip.
The opening goal came from a long ball over the top from Alex Roldan for De Rosario to run onto just past midfield. De Rosario dribbled past the remaining defender and slotted the ball past the keeper for a fantastic solo goal.
The second goal, courtesy of Ferreira, was a result of the Sounder unrelenting press. The Roldan brothers combined to force a turnover in the attacking half, before Albert Rusnak rolled the ball across the box to find Ferreira in the middle of the box.
Just minutes later, the ball would hit the back of the net again for the Rave Green (Although wearing their Salish Sea kits today) after a picture perfect cross from Nouhou on a fast breakaway found De Rosario at the back post for a third goal.
Starting XI vs Hammarby IF:
Thomas
A. Roldan
Yeimar
Ragen
Nouhou
Dotson
C. Roldan
Ferreira
Rusnák
Morris
De Rosario
Sounders 0-3 Metalist
The second match of the day saw the Sounders face FC Metalist 1925 of Ukraine. The squad for this match was a mix of potential starters, Tacoma Defiance players, and academy trialists.
The Sounders were without Kim Kee-Hee and Stuart Hawkins at centerback for today’s friendlies, which meant Sounders academy player Gallatin Sandnes suited up and played a full 90 minutes.
Additional players not currently on the Sounders roster that played significant minutes were Tacoma Defiance’s Peter Kingston and SuperDraft pick Joe Dale.
The Sounders would ultimately fall 3-0 to Metalist in their second friendly which took place at the Marbella Football Center.
Starting XI vs FC Metalist 1925:
Anchor
Kossa-Rienzi
Baker
Sandnes
Baker-Whiting
Brunell
Petkovic
Gomez
Tsukanome
Rothrock
Musovski
The Sounders preseason camp saw the club win two matches and lose two matches overall. The best matches came from games where the squad best resembled the expected starting lineup. Jesus Ferreira led the team with 3 goals during the trip to Spain.
The squad will return back to Seattle and play a final preseason match on February 15th against Louisville City of the USL. That match will take place at the The Providence Swedish Performance Center in Renton, Washington.
Cover Photo: Sounders FC Communications
