Ship’s Log, Sept. 20: Hosting the Club World Cup

Yeah, that’s the news The Guardian is breaking today. Seattle will be one of seven host markets with Northern New Jersey having two stadiums host. Now, there’s still some reason to doubt the 2025 Club World Cup – no TV or streamers are offering the money FIFA wants. There’s an emergency meeting to solve this issue.

Additionally, players on the top club and national teams are now playing 80+ matches in a year. FIFPro is trying to pressure against that rising trend. They may even strike.

But, if the MCWC happens in its current format with 32 teams in the USA at 8 stadiums, Lumen Field home of the Seattle Sounders will be hosting. That would likely put the Seattle Sounders playing a home game or two at Lumen with the other match(es) in the Group Stage in Pasadena, the other host site in the West.

The other pods would be in the Northeast (NJ, Philly) and South (Atlanta, Orlando and Miami).

This is a massive opportunity for Seattle, the Sounders and Puget Sound. Every group will get one of the top UEFA sides which include the last three UCL winners (Real Madrid won it twice) and the next nine best teams in international competition over the past four seasons. Almost every group would get a giant from South America as well. Six of their best are on the way.

A group with Seattle could be Real Madrid, Boca Juniors, a team for AFC or CAF (like a rematch with Ahly or a first time visit from Urawa Red Diamonds). An easier, less marketable draw is more likely – especially one that doesn’t involve a Euro giant travelling out to the Pacific Time Zone.

But there will be a giant. Sounders will not be favored, even at home. Depending on the draw they may not be favored for second. Some draws they’d likely finish fourth (like that example above).

The tournament is during Seattle’s summer (and the height of the MLS season, don’t ask how the league will handle that with the Leagues Cup, etc).

It is the perfect time for soccer lovers around the world to come to our region. It’s also an excellent preview of the six matches Seattle is hosting in the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Hosting the Club World Cup will be a massive marketing opportunity for club and region.

It’s also an immense amount of pressure to put on Hanauer, Waibel & Co.

They have a single transfer window to put together a team that can walk up to giants, stand their ground and shout “you will hear us.”

No one should pretend that they’re going to compete with the greats from Europe and South America – Mexican teams don’t and they still are better than MLS when MLS sides aren’t hosting 100% of games.

That doesn’t mean going down easy.

Yes, having more than a dozen homegrown talents on the pitch will be impressive. The banners hanging from the rafters, the Circle of Legends, Rapinoe’s retired number – our region’s wonderful history will be on display.

That display must include the play on the pitch as well.

The 2021 team earned the 2022 opportunity so that the 2025 team could have a chance. Raúl, Nico, João Paulo, Xavi, Fredy, Kelyn, Will and others will give future legends their chance.

Some are on the team right now. Several will be discovered later (in just a few months). Building a team capable of winning games, yes plural, in the Club World Cup will also build a team capable of winning games in MLS and the playoffs (and maybe even the Concacaf Champions Cup because somehow Seattle is on the edge of qualification for that).

It’s not an either/or situation. It’s an as fast as possible situation.

2025 isn’t the time for a courtesy appearance. We’re hosts, not minor guests.

It’s time to shine as bright as we can.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here’s what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Saturday Sept. 28 hosting Houston at 7:30 pm PT. The match is on MLS Season Pass.

These are older stories from before the draw with San Jose

Reign

Next match: Saturday Sept. 21 traveling to Houston Dash at 5:30 pm PT. The match is on NWSL+ and KONG 6/16. Seattle needs to pass three teams gaining at least five more points than the best of those in their final six matches.

Defiance

Next match: Saturday Sept. 21 traveling to Vancouver Whitecaps 2 at 4 pm PDT. The match is on YouTube. Defiance are already in the MLS Next Pro playoffs, but can still win the division if they earn two more points than LAFC2 in their last three matches (they would also need to hold off The Town and Ventura County).

Spokane

Zephyr host DC Power on Peacock+ and SWX at 2 pm PT on Sunday. Both Power and Spokane are seeking their first win.

Velocity are at Forward Madison on ESPN+ and SWX at 3 pm PT on Saturday. Madison and Spokane are vying for home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

Four Sounders are in the top 25 for MLS jersey sales, with Jordan Morris leading the club’s three DPs.

ESPN shines the light on the USL Super League, framing it as a battle against the NWSL.

Lesle Gallimore talks Seattle Reign’s new era and the Hope Solo documentary. That documentary lacks reporting around most of Solo’s claims and controversies.

Timbers join other sports teams like Seattle Kraken in having a ticket include public transit.

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