The Seattle Sounders kick off the 2024 MLS Regular Season this Saturday, Feb. 24, as they travel to Southern California to take on LAFC (1:30 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM). This year is expected to be a memorable one, as the Seattle side looks to attain another strong campaign. Here are five storylines to watch heading into the 2024 season:
1. 50th Anniversary Season
With the club commemorating its 50th Anniversary in 2024, the organization will celebrate its history and heritage across five decades of dominance. The recent unveiling of the Sounders new training center and the release of the Anniversary Kit are the first two touchpoints of what’s sure to be a thrilling year for the club.
2. New Young DP
The Sounders recently signed Pedro de la Vega, the club’s first-ever Young Designated Player. With his knack for scoring goal and his electric 1-v-1 dribbling ability, the Argentine winger is projected to wreak havoc on opposing back lines.
3. Dominant defense coming back
The Sounders' defense is back and better than ever. Last season, the Rave Green finished out the regular season with the most shutouts and fewest goals conceded in MLS and now, they are looking to carry that over to this year and put on an even stronger performance. With players like Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Yeimar and Alex Roldan on the team for another season, the brickwall backline is sure to make a comeback.
4. Reinforcements
Along with de la Vega, the Sounders have added forward Danny Musovski and defenders Jonathan Bell and Nathan to the 2024 roster. The newcomers will not only bolster the depth of the team, but they will also add different perspectives and playing styles from their previous experiences that will benefit the team moving forward.
5. The Pathway
Former Academy standouts Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting, Obed Vargas and Cody Baker made their marks last season with the way they were able to impact matches. As the 2024 season approaches, the expectation for them is to break out even further, with the potential of gaining significantly more minutes.
