2021 Seattle Sounders FC season
Seattle Sounders FC 2021 soccer season
Seattle Sounders FC 2021 soccer season
The 2021 Seattle Sounders FC season was the club's thirty-eighth year of existence, and their thirteenth season in Major League Soccer , the top flight of American soccer. The team was under the management of Brian Schmetzer in his fifth full MLS season as head coach of the Sounders. Seattle were the reigning Western Conference champions and lost to Columbus Crew SC in the MLS Cup 3–0.[ 2]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the capacity of Lumen Field was limited to 7,000 in March and increase in stages. The stadium's full capacity was restored in July with the addition of COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements.[ 3]
The Sounders finished second in the Western Conference and qualified for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League as a result. They were also runners-up in the 2021 Leagues Cup , losing to Club León in the final.
Background
The Sounders lost the MLS Cup at Mapfre Stadium to Columbus Crew SC 3–0. The team is set to play in the Leagues Cup , along with regular MLS and U.S. Open Cup matches.
Summary
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(April 2023 )
The Sounders released or traded several key players, including six who were at the MLS Cup, during the 2020–21 offseason as part of roster moves.[ 4] Starfire Sports in late March and played scrimmages against their USL affiliate, Tacoma Defiance , and the Portland Timbers .[ 5] Phoenix Rising FC was cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19 among their players.[ 6] LA Galaxy II and San Diego Loyal ,[ 5] Lumen Field , which was open to 200 healthcare workers in attendance.[ 7] [ 8]
Coach Brian Schmetzer switched the team from their traditional 4–2–3–1 formation to a 3–5–2 or a 3–4–1–2 to address several roster issues, namely the absence of Jordan Morris and Nicolás Lodeiro due to injuries.[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] season ticket holders.[ 12]
Final roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of August 5, 2021. [ 13]
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of July 16, 2021.
Competitions
Win Draw Loss Void Upcoming fixture
Preseason
Major League Soccer
League tables
Western Conference
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Overall
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(S) Supporters' Shield winners
Notes:
Results
Overall
Home
Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
34
17
9
8
53
33
+20
60
8
5
4
28
15
+13
9
4
4
25
18
+7
Last updated: November 7, 2021.MLS
Matchday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Stadium H A H A A H H H A H H A H A A H H H A A A H H H A A A H A A H A H A Result W D W W W W D D W W D D W L W L L D W W W L W L W W W W L D L L D D
Source:
MLS A = Away;
H = Home;
N = Neutral;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss;
C = Canceled
MLS Cup Playoffs
Leagues Cup
Seattle Sounders FC UANL
Seattle Sounders FC León
U.S. Open Cup
v
Statistics
Appearances and goals
Numbers after plus-sign(+) denote appearances as a substitute .
Last updated: November 23, 2021
Source: Team Stats
[TAC] – Defiance player [A]
Top scorers
Last updated: November 23, 2021
Source: Team Stats
Top assists
Last updated: August 21, 2021
Source: [1]
Disciplinary record
Honors and awards
MLS Team of the Week
Italics indicates MLS Player of the Week
MLS Goal of the Week
MLS Save of the Year
MLS Best XI
Transfers
For transfers in, dates listed are when Sounders FC officially signed the players to the roster. Transactions where only the rights to the players are acquired are not listed. For transfers out, dates listed are when Sounders FC officially removed the players from its roster, not when they signed with another club. If a player later signed with another club, his new club will be noted, but the date listed here remains the one when he was officially removed from Sounders FC roster.
In
No.
Pos.
Player
Transferred from
Fee/notes
Date
Source
6
MF
João Paulo Botafogo
Undisclosed
January 21, 2021
[ 47]
11
MF
Kelyn Rowe New England Revolution
Free Transfer
January 29, 2021
[ 48]
18
GK
Spencer Richey FC Cincinnati
Free Transfer
February 3, 2021
[ 49]
12
FW
Fredy Montero Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Free Transfer
March 4, 2021
[ 50]
21
MF
Reed Baker-Whiting Tacoma Defiance
Signed HGP Deal
May 12, 2021
[ 51]
26
GK
Andrew Thomas Stanford University
Off waivers. Seattle acquired the top spot in the waivers process from Chicago Fire FC for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
May 21, 2021
[ 52]
92
DF
Abdoulaye Cissoko Tacoma Defiance
May 21, 2021
[ 53]
20
MF
Nicolas Benezet Colorado Rapids
$50,000 in GAM
August 5, 2021
[ 54]
23
MF
Léo Chú Grêmio
U22 Initiative signing; $2.5 million transfer fee[ 55]
August 5, 2021
[ 54]
Draft picks
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. Only trades involving draft picks and executed after the start of 2021 MLS SuperDraft will be listed in the notes.
Out
No.
Pos.
Player
Transferred to
Fee/notes
Date
Source
99
FW
Justin Dhillon San Antonio FC
Option declined
December 14, 2020
[ 56] [ 57]
11
MF
Miguel Ibarra San Diego Loyal SC
Option declined
December 14, 2020
[ 56] [ 58]
33
DF
Joevin Jones Inter Miami CF
Option declined
December 14, 2020
[ 56] [ 59]
18
Kelvin Leerdam Inter Miami CF
Out of contract
December 14, 2020
[ 56]
4
Gustav Svensson Guangzhou City
Out of contract
December 14, 2020
[ 56]
29
Román Torres Cartagines
Out of contract
December 14, 2020
[ 56]
6
João Paulo Botafogo
End of loan
December 14, 2020
[ 56]
13
FW
Jordan Morris Swansea City
On loan
January 22, 2021
[ 60]
11
Trey Muse San Diego Loyal SC
On loan
February 2, 2021
[ 61]
37
Shandon Hopeau San Antonio FC
On loan
April 15, 2021
[ 62]
87
Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez FC Pinzgau Saalfelden
On loan
July 16, 2021
[ 63]
Notes
A. a Tacoma Defiance .
References
^ a b c d e f g "Seattle Sounders FC Performance Stats – 2021–22" . ESPN . Retrieved October 27, 2023 .^ "Columbus Crew SC 3, Seattle Sounders FC 0 - 2020 MLS Cup Match Recap" . December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020 .^ Evans, Jayda (August 29, 2021). "Sounders get close, but not in the back of the net in loss to rival Timbers" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved March 14, 2023 . ^ Booth, Tim (April 15, 2021). "Sounders ready to open season after roster overhaul" . The Everett Herald Associated Press . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ a b Arthur, Ben (March 1, 2021). "Seattle Sounders begin preseason play against USL's Tacoma Defiance in late March" . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ Anderson, Jake (April 25, 2021). "Rising looks forward to season start after 'long' preseason comes to an end" . Arizona Sports . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ "Sounders win pair of preseason friendlies against San Diego Loyal" . The Seattle Times . April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2023 .^ "MLS preseason 2021 round-up: Lucas Cavallini scores a stunner, Jesus Medina bags a brace" . MLSsoccer.com . April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2023 .^ Lowery, Joseph (May 4, 2021). "How Seattle look so good, so early with their new formation" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ Pentz, Matt (May 6, 2021). "At the heart of Sounders' solid MLS start: A new formation and collective mentality" The Athletic . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ Evans, Jayda (July 18, 2021). "Sounders' record unbeaten streak to open season ends at 13 games after loss to Minnesota" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved April 13, 2023 . ^ Evans, Jayda (April 13, 2021). "Sounders apologize to fans after issues with ticket sales for season opener" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved April 16, 2023 . ^ "First Team Roster" . Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved August 5, 2021 .^ @SoundersFC (April 4, 2021). "Following Phoenix's announcement, we will now focus on an inter-squad scrimmage at Lumen Field on Sunday" (Tweet ). Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Twitter . ^ "Procedure Set to Determine Final U.S. Representative in 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League" . United States Soccer Federation. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021 .^ "SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT EDITION OF LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP IN 2022" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021 .^ Sigal, Jonathan (April 19, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Loons, Red Bulls show big in Week 1" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved April 19, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (April 26, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Chicharito electric, Austin FC make history in Week 2" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 20, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (May 3, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: San Jose, Seattle dominant in Week 3 victories" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 20, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (May 10, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Colorado, Nashville earn reward for Week 4 wins" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 20, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (May 17, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Sounders rampant, Timbers weather storm in Week 5" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 21, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (May 24, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Portland, Cincinnati show big after Week 6 wins" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 21, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (June 21, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: New England Revolution steal the show in Week 8" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 21, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (June 24, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Nani, Carlos Vela shine bright in Week 9" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 24, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (June 28, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: FC Dallas, Sporting KC rewarded for Week 10 wins" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved June 29, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 5, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: New York Red Bulls make their case in Week 11" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved July 7, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 12, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Toronto FC make a splash in Week 12" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved July 14, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 23, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: New England, Seattle a class above in Week 14" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved July 23, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (August 5, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: DC United, Sporting KC fly high in Week 17" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved August 6, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (August 16, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Supporters' Shield chasers prove emphatic in Week 19" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved August 22, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (August 19, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Late-game heroics, Golden Boot chase define Week 20" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved August 22, 2021 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (August 19, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: San Jose, Inter Miami surge in Week 21" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 13, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Atlanta United make a statement in Week 24" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 27, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Portland Timbers, DC United shine bright in Week 27" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 30, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Seattle Sounders, DC United earn high marks in Week 28" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 4, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Seattle Sounders, CF Montréal wow in Week 29" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 21, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Minnesota United, Vancouver Whitecaps step up in Week 31" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 2, 2021). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Minnesota, NYCFC ride Week 34 surge into Decision Day" . MLSsoccer.com . Retrieved January 23, 2022 . ^ "Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paulo wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 1" . MLSsoccer.com . April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021 .^ "Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 5" . MLSsoccer.com . May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021 .^ "Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 14" . MLSsoccer.com . July 25, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021 .^ "Seattle Sounders' Jimmy Medranda wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 19" . MLSsoccer.com . August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021 .^ "Seattle forward Raul Ruidiaz wins Week 20 AT&T Goal of the Week" . MLSsoccer.com . August 21, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022 .^ "Seattle Sounders star Joao Paulo wins Week 29 AT&T Goal of the Week" . MLSsoccer.com . October 6, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022 .^ "Seattle Sounders FC's Stefan Frei wins 2021 Save of the Year Presented by Allstate fan vote" . MLSsoccer.com . November 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022 .^ a b c "2021 MLS Best XI" . MLSsoccer.com . January 23, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC completes transfer of midfielder João Paulo from Botafogo" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved January 21, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC signs midfielder Kelyn Rowe" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved January 29, 2021 .^ "Interview: Spencer Richey on joining Seattle Sounders FC" . Sounders FC Communications. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC signs forward Fredy Montero" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved March 4, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC signs midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved May 12, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC selects Stanford goalkeeper Andrew Thomas off waivers following conclusion of NCAA season" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved May 21, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC signs defender Abdoulaye Cissoko" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved May 21, 2021 .^ a b "Sounders FC adds Brazilian attacker Léo Chú and French winger Nicolas Benezet on transfer deadline day" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved August 5, 2021 .^ Evans, Jayda (April 21, 2023). "How a 'hunger' and team-first approach have earned Leo Chu a Sounders starting spot" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved April 26, 2023 . ^ a b c d e f g "Sounders FC announces roster decisions to conclude 2020 season" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved December 14, 2020 .^ "San Antonio FC Signs Forward Justin Dhillon" (Press release). San Antonio FC Communications. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021 .^ "SD Loyal Signs MLS Midfielder Miguel Ibarra and Two MLS Players on Loan" . San Diego Loyal SC. May 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 .^ "Jones on Signing: "I'm here to bring the experience" . Inter Miami CF. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021 .^ "Official: Seattle Sounders FC star Jordan Morris signs loan deal with Swansea City in English Championship" . MLSsoccer staff. Retrieved January 22, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC signs goalkeeper Spencer Richey" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved February 2, 2021 .^ "Sounders FC loans midfielder Shandon Hopeau to San Antonio FC" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved April 15, 2021 .^ "Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez and Sota Kitahara loaned to Austrian club FC Pinzagau Saalfelden" . Sounders FC Communications. Retrieved July 17, 2021 .
National teams
League competitions
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Amateur Collegiate
Cup competitions
Domestic International Friendly
Youth competitions
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