The offseason in Major League Soccer is weirdly quiet, yet everyone is frantically searching for the score of the Sounders game like there’s a secret mid-January trophy on the line. Honestly, if you’re looking for a final whistle from last night, you won’t find one. As of today, January 15, 2026, the Seattle Sounders are currently in the "preseason grind" phase. No points. No table standings. Just heavy legs and a lot of tactical whiteboard sessions at the Providence Swedish Performance Center.
They literally just got back to work on Monday. Coach Brian Schmetzer has the guys doing those grueling first-week fitness tests where everyone looks like they’ve had a bit too much holiday turkey. But don't let the lack of a live score fool you. The stakes for the 2026 season are arguably higher than they’ve ever been in the club's history. Between Lumen Field becoming a construction zone for the World Cup and a massive Champions Cup match looming in Spokane, the "score" right now is more about roster math than goals on a pitch.
Why There’s No Score of the Sounders Game Today
If you checked your apps and saw a blank screen, it’s because the first official preseason friendly hasn't kicked off yet. The Sounders are scheduled to stay in Renton for a few more days before they ditch the Seattle drizzle for training camps in warmer climates.
According to the official 2026 MLS preseason schedule, the team is heading to Florida and eventually California. Here is the reality of the upcoming schedule:
- January 12: Players reported for medicals (the "not fun" part of the job).
- January 30: The first real chance to see a score of the Sounders game when they face Lexington SC in Marietta, Georgia.
- February 7: A high-profile friendly against Houston Dynamo FC.
- February 14: Closing out the Frisco trip against FC Dallas.
It's a lot of travel. It's a lot of hotel food. But for Schmetzer, it's the only way to integrate the six new faces that just joined the squad.
The Spokane Twist: A Historical Shift
The biggest news that dropped yesterday—and the reason everyone is buzzing—isn't a scoreline, but a location. Because Lumen Field is undergoing massive renovations to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, the Sounders are being forced out of their nest.
They just announced that the second leg of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 will be played at ONE Spokane Stadium on March 18.
Think about that for a second. It’s the first time the Rave Green will play a "home" competitive match in Eastern Washington. For fans in Spokane, this is like Christmas in March. They’ll be hosting either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Costa Rican side CS Cartaginés. If it’s Vancouver, we’re looking at a Cascadia Cup atmosphere in a 5,000-seat boutique stadium. That is going to be absolutely wild.
Roster Moves: Who is Actually Playing?
You can't talk about the score of the Sounders game without looking at who's actually putting the ball in the net. The roster looks a bit different this year.
The club made some noise by bringing in Serbian midfielder Nikola Petković on loan from Charlotte FC. He’s expected to be a massive bridge in that transition play that felt a little stagnant last year. We also saw the signing of Yu Tsukanome and Sebastian Gomez from Tacoma Defiance. It’s that classic Sounders "next man up" mentality.
However, keep an eye on the injury report. Pedro de la Vega is still working his way back, and stars like Nouhou and Georgi Minoungou are currently away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations. This means the early preseason scores might look a little lopsided as the kids get most of the minutes.
The Goalkeeper Battle
This is the one that's going to keep people talking all February. You've got Stefan Frei, the legend, the man with the most iconic save in MLS Cup history. Then you've got Andrew Thomas, who was basically a brick wall during the 2025 Leagues Cup title run.
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Who gets the start on February 22 against the Colorado Rapids? Schmetzer says it's "open competition," which is coach-speak for "I’m going to make them fight for it in every preseason scrimmage."
What to Watch for Next
While we wait for the first real score of the Sounders game, the front office is still tinkering. They have an open Designated Player (DP) slot and a couple of U22 Initiative spots. Most experts, including the folks over at Sounder at Heart, expect a big summer signing to coincide with the World Cup hype.
For now, the focus is on the February 22 home opener at Lumen Field. It’s the only game at home for a while before the stadium closes for its World Cup "facelift."
If you're planning to follow the team this winter, keep your eyes on the Florida training sessions. Those closed-door scrimmages usually leak some information about who's looking sharp. Jordan Morris is reportedly in "best shape of his life" territory again, which is a scary thought for MLS defenders.
Actionable Steps for Sounders Fans
Don't just wait for the apps to update. Here is how you stay ahead of the curve during the 2026 preseason:
1. Register for Spokane Tickets: Since the Champions Cup game in Spokane isn't part of the regular season ticket package, you need to sign up for the exclusive pre-sale on the Sounders' official site. These seats will vanish in minutes.
2. Follow the "Longacres" Reports: Local beat writers are the only ones with eyes on the training ground right now. Check for updates on how the new signings like Hassani Dotson are fitting into the 4-2-3-1 system.
3. Set Alerts for January 30: That's your first real date for a match result. Even if it's a "meaningless" friendly against Lexington, it's the first time we see the new tactical tweaks in a game environment.
4. Watch the Africa Cup of Nations: If you want to see how Nouhou is playing, stop looking for Sounders scores and start looking for Cameroon results. His form there will dictate how he starts the MLS season in February.