We were at the La Quinta Football Center for our third and final match of our stint in Spain. We faced Danish side Odense BK in a pair of 90-minute friendlies as we continue to build fitness ahead of the 2024 season.
The Sounders lost both matches, the first by a score of a 3-0 and the second 2-1. RaĆŗl RuidĆaz scored for Seattle.
First Match:
Lineup: Stefan Frei; Cody Baker, Nathan, Xavier Arreaga, Jon Bell; Josh Atencio, JoĆ£o Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Albert RusnĆ k, LĆ©o ChĆŗ; Jordan Morris
1ā We are underway in Marbella!
5ā Odense has a chance with a cross in front of goal, but just misses a diving header.
7ā Stefan Frei gathers a low shot for his first save of the day.
10ā The Sounders have struggled to settle into the match, with not much possession in the attacking half.
11ā Cristian withstands pressure and draws a foul. He is showing great body control, as always.
Ā
18ā The squad settles and begin to play more through the middle with JoĆ£o Paulo.Ā
23ā A shot off the crossbar from Odense!
24ā Atencio runs to far field and earns a corner. Huge hustle play.
26ā Another shot from Odense sails over the bar.
28ā A blistering counterattack looks promising for Odense, but Xavi makes a sliding tackle. The rebound attempt is thwarted by Baker.
29ā A diving stop by Stefan Fei to keep it scoreless.
31ā Snyder Brunell subs in for Atencio, who leaves with a knock but can walk off the pitch on his own.
35ā Jon Bellās sliding tackle is whistled for a penalty
36ā Goal Odense. The taker from the spot coolly slots home thee shot to the bottom right corner.
39ā RusnĆ”k tries to spring a counter, but is taken down from behind.Ā
45ā Itās the end of the first half in this one.
46ā Xavi starts the half with a deep ball to Roldan, but the pass just misses him.
47ā Flying out of the gate, Morris earns a corner.Ā
48ā Yellow on Baker, who took down the attacker on a counterĀ
53ā Roldan to Morris at the far post, but his leaping header goes just wide.
57ā Morrisā shot in front of goal is saved from close range, then RunsĆ”kās follow up is also saved.
57ā Later that minute, Nathan rips a volley and the goalkeeper gets fingertips on it to slightly nudge it over the bar.
64ā A yellow card is given to Odense for impeding on Frei during a drop kick.
65ā Goal Odense. The goalscorer rips a ball into the top left corner on Freiās near post.Ā
68ā A breakaway for Morris, but his hard shot just misses wide.
72ā SUB: Kalani comes in for JP.
78ā Impressive sprint from Nathan to thwart an attack. He is an incredibly athletic defender.Ā
79ā A very good save by Frei as Odense burns in transition and puts a ball directly in front of Frei, who stands firm and snags the ball.Ā
82ā Goal Odense. Frei gets a paw on a shot, but the opposing player is there for the rebound.
89ā Rusnakās free kick from about 25 yards out is blocked by the wall.
90ā Final from Match 1.
NOTES:
Atencio injury was a bummer, but Tacoma Defiance midfielder Snyder Brunell held his own. Schmetzer confirmed post-match that Atencio and JPās subs were precautionary. Seattle had a couple of close chances ā two from Morris, one from Nathan ā that could have changed the score. The Danish side was impressive in transition, their fitness level showed they were in midseason vs. preseason.

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Match 2
Lineup: Castro; Kossa-Rienzi&, Lopez&, Hawkins, Rothrock; Leyva, Vargas, Teves, Brunell+, Minoungou+; RuidĆaz
+ Tacoma Defiance player
% Sounders Academy player
& MLS SuperDraft selection
1ā We are underway in our final match in Marbella!
2ā Danny Leyva takes a free kick that goes out for a corner.Ā
7ā Goal Odense. On a counterattack, Odense delivers a hard strike past Jacob Castro.Ā
11ā CHANCE! Georgi finds Brunell for a shot in the area, but itās stopped.Ā
11ā Goal Odense. The Danish club responds quickly and scores with a precise finish into the left side of the net.
15ā Odenseās shot goes over the bar.
18ā Hard foul on Leyva to draw a free kick, he then springs a deep ball to Georgi, but nothing comes of it.
29ā Rothrock once again doing well at left back, playing through Leyva to get the ball to Georgi.
31ā Obed Vargasā shot goes straight to the keeper.
36ā Free kick delivery to the center of the area for Odense, but the header goes over the bar.
39ā RaĆŗl attempted bike sails over the bar. That would have been nasty.
40ā CHANCE! Leyva has a look from distance, but his low shot flashes barely wide.
46ā Second half sub: Academy player Gallatin Sandnes for Snyder Brunell.
46ā SHOT! RaĆŗl shot from top of 18, but thereās a fingertip save.
51ā Yellow card on Odense for a hard foul on Tino Lopez.
55ā Great tracking back from Lopez to stop a counter.
56ā A shot from Rothrock goes just wide.
66ā Good team passing here. Georgi sends a low cross to RaĆŗl, but his one-time shot just misses frame.
71ā An impressive slide by Gally to stop a shot and regain possession.Ā
75ā Tevesā shot goes straight to the keeper.
80ā RuidĆaz shot from 20 yards out barely misses. He is hungry for a goal here.
81ā A long run from Rothrock, but the window closes on a through-ball to RaĆŗl as defenders swarm him.
85ā GOAL! Ruidiaz chips an absolute curling stunner from beyond the area to cut the deficit to 2-1. It is a great pass from Danny Leyva to set him up.
90ā Full time from Marbella.
NOTES
Danny Leyva was once again given the captainās armband, and he proved it with his performance. Despite being fouled all over the pitch, he was the centerpiece of the offense, and provided amazing service to RuidĆaz on the goal. The two MLS SuperDraft picks ā Kossa-Rienzi and Lopez ā showed their athleticism and value. It was also a great opportunity for Gallatin Sandnes, the Sounders Academy player who has gotten incredible experience this whole camp.