After kicking off the 2023 campaign in style with a thrilling 4-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, the Seattle Sounders are starting to gain some recognition in the national media.
The Rave Green were named the No. 3 team in the league in the Matchday 1 Power Rankings by both MLSsoccer.com and ESPN.com.
The Sounders were billed as the No. 4 team in MLSsoccer.com's Preseason Power Rankings and rose one spot after their scintillating performance against the Rapids at Lumen Field on Sunday. Led by a brace from Jordan Morris and goals from Cristian Roldan and new signing Héber, Seattle produced a statement win after missing the postseason for the first time in club history (MLS era) last season.
"Sure seems like Seattle didn’t take too kindly to missing the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs," wrote MLSsoccer.com's J. Sam Jones. "That or they’re finally something resembling healthy and rested. Either way, the Sounders flexed some muscle Sunday night, putting together the most impressive performance of the weekend. João Paulo is back from an ACL tear and looking like one of the best midfielders in the league, Héber is an ultra-capable backup for Raúl Ruidíaz, and the rest of the group is what you’d expect from a great Sounders side. They thumped Colorado and you can expect them to thump a whole lot of teams this year."
The Sounders will look to build off their impressive opening day performance when they welcome Western Conference opponent Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV App | TICKETS) to Lumen Field on Saturday.
REAL SALT LAKE TICKETS
Come watch Seattle Sounders FC as we host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, March 4!
