What to anticipate from Seattle Sounders in the 2026 MLS season | OneFootball

The Sounders had one of the deepest teams in the MLS last season, but injuries sidelined a significant amount of talent. The Rave Green still managed to win the Leagues Cup and had a respectable showing in the Club World Cup.

Craig Waibel has been busy providing Brian Schmetzer with a line-up that can continue to grow the reputation of the Club as the premier team in the MLS as well as defending their Leagues Cup title with some noticeable differences.

The Sounders optioned for the 2026 season for Yeimar, Osaze De Rosaio, Kim Kee-hee, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, and Danny Musovski. Nouhou signed a multi-year extension and Obed Vargas is on his way to Europe as he has been loaned to Atlético Madrid. Obed Vargas's future in still uncertain as Atlético weighs where he will best fit.

Many players are still under contract and are expected to return for next season. This includes Paul Arriola, who missed much of the season and did not have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the team yet.

Other returning stars include Pedro de la Vega, Jesús Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnák, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou, and Chrisian Roldan. Blossoming talents will also return including Cody Baker, Reed Baker-Whiting, Snyder Brunell, Stuart Hawkins, Georgi Minoungou and Andrew Thomas. One of the utililty players, Alex Roldan is also still under contract.

The Sounders resigned Stefan Frei as a back up goalkeeper as Andrew Thomas was promoted to the starting position. João Paulo helped push through tough times with their flare and passion for the game and at times seemed to be the only player contributing to the effort.

That said, his minutes played were significantly reduced last season. Jonathan Bell was a solid backup on the defensive line, and Ryan Kent was barely able to realise his potential as he was reintroduced to playing with a team after a lengthy absence from competitive soccer.

These players could be resigned, but for now, they are floating in the waters of free agency or making plans for their next step in their careers.

João Paulo may return in a different capacity. If João Paulo returns, it may be in a coaching capacity if he decides to retire. Danny Leyva has been sent to Necaxa. Paul Rothrock has resigned with the Sounders, which will sustain his gritty contribution to the club.

There are several new players who have signed on for the upcoming season. The Sounders have signed the Federal Way native midfielder, Hassani Dotson, who is coming off a torn meniscus injury from Minnesota United. He would have been a premium free agent before the injury, so the Sounders are getting him cheap if he returns to form.

The Sounders also signed veteran centerback Ryan Sailor and goalkeeper Max Anchor. Sailor was part of Inter Miami for the past 4 seasons and played with Kalani Kossa-Rienzi at the University of Washington.

He didn't get on the field much last season, but the Sounders need to replace a defender as Bell has moved on. Max Anchor is a Canadian goalkeeper who spent time with the Canadian Premier League and had 16 starts with the Whitecaps II and Pacific FC last year.

The Sounders had traded their number 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft when they acquired Paul Arriola during the last off-season. The Sounders selected midfielder Joe Dale and goalkeeper Stockton Short in the later rounds, both of them having been Ballard FC players. Dale will have the option to return to the Huskies as they attempt to defend their title without the Sounders losing him as a selection.

The Sounders acquired 22-year-old Serbian midfielder Nikola Petković from Charlotte FC on loan in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 SuperDraft as well as up to $250,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money if he performs well.

The Sounders will have the option to purchase his contract after the season. At 19, Petković played for the Serbian national team as they defeated the United States, and he worked his way through Charlotte FC's system and will occupy an international roster spot for Seattle. He had performed well for Charlotte, but did not fit in with the plans for the new coach.

There are familiar faces, newcomers, veterans and young players. If the Sounders can gel as a team, they stand to make another push for a season of trophies as they continue with talent, depth, and the Rave Green swagger.

Here is the breakdown of their current roster:

Keeper (3): Andrew Thomas, Stefan Frei, Max Anchor

Defense (9): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Cody Baker, Stuart Hawkins, Kim Kee-hee, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan, Ryan Sailor

Midfielders (10): Paul Arriola, Reed Baker-Whiting, Snyder Brunell, Pedro de la Vega, Georgi Minoungou, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák, Paul Rothrock, Hassani Dotson, Nikola Petković