The Seattle Sounders head into 2023 in the unfamiliar position of looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Brian Schmetzer’s side finished way down in 11th in the Western Conference, missing out on the Playoffs for the first time since becoming an MLS team in 2009.

However, it wasn’t all bad for the Sounders, who had the privilege of becoming the first-ever MLS team to lift the Concacaf Champions League in 2022. Even when things got tough, Seattle found a way to lift silverware.

So, here’s everything you need to know about the Seattle Sounders ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.

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Brian Schmetzer returned to his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation last year, using Nico Lodeiro as his main outlet in possession, and pushing full-backs high to create chances from wide areas and cut-backs inside the box.

What hurt Seattle the most last year was injuries to a number of key players, with the likes of Raul Ruidiaz, Lodeiro, Joao Paulo, and Obed Vargas all going down at various points throughout the season.

If Schmetzer can keep a healthy group together, there’s no reason why Seattle can’t climb back into the upper echelons of the Western Conference. The signing of Heber as experienced cover for Ruidiaz could prove inspired.

Seattle Sounders predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Frei; A.Roldan, Yeimar, Arreaga, Nouhou; Rusnak, Joao Paulo; Roldan, Lodeiro, Morris; Ruidiaz.

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Nico Lodeiro

For Lodeiro, at least domestically, 2022 was something of a quiet year. And yet, the former Ajax playmaker still managed seven goals and seven assists in MLS play. What’s more, he was the leader among Sounders players in a number of key metrics, including chances created, passes into the final third, and carries into the final third to name but a few.

As mentioned, even when Schmetzer is focused on creating from wide areas, it’s Lodeiro who gets the ball there. When the Sounders are trying to hurt teams centrally, it’s him pulling the strings.

At 32 years old, it’d be unreasonable to expect Lodeiro to match the physical standards he’s managed over the past few years but with the ball at his feet, there are few in MLS more deadly. Seattle are gonna need him.

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If everyone stays healthy and youngsters like Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio can kick on, it’s almost impossible that the Sounders won’t return to the Playoffs.

Quite where they finish in the West depends upon the run of games players like Joao Paulo and Raul Ruidiaz can get going. But once into the post-season, they’ll be just as strong as ever.

Never write off the Sounders.

Will the Seattle Sounders qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes