Seattle, WA – February 20, 2026 – The Seattle Sounders FC kick off the 2026 Major League Soccer season this Sunday at Lumen Field, hosting the Colorado Rapids at 6:15 PM PT.
Whether you’re a first-time fan or a returning season ticket holder, this year promises big energy, marquee matchups, and perhaps a little drama along the way. To view the full season schedule click here.
Seattle will play away games until April 12 because of stadium updates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the home opener more special for Rave Green fans.
Special theme matches have been announced such as Pride on August 16th and Youth Day on August 29th.
Building on a Historic 2025 Campaign
The Sounders enter 2026 riding momentum from one of the most productive seasons in club history. In 2025, Seattle tallied 58 goals and 73 assists in league play, surpassing the club’s previous goal contribution record of 130 set in 2014.
Seattle finished fifth in the MLS Western Conference and advanced to the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated by Minnesota United FC.
The defining achievement of 2025 came in the Leagues Cup, where Seattle posted a perfect 6-0-0 record. Along the way, they defeated Cruz Azul, Santos Laguna, and the LA Galaxy before topping Inter Miami CF in the final.
With the victory, Seattle became the first MLS club to win all five major North American trophies: MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and Leagues Cup.
The club played in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, gaining international experience for its seasoned squad.
Players to Watch in 2026
Returning players who proudly earned titles and celebrated milestones in 2025!
- Most Valuable Player: Cristian Roldan
- Golden Boot: Danny Musovski (14 league goals, 18 total)
- Defender of the Year: Jackson Ragen
- Humanitarian of the Year: Stefan Frei
Projected 2026 Home Opener Starting Line Up
Goal Keeper: Andrew Thomas
Defense: Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou Tolo
Midfield: Hassani Dotson, Cristian Roldan
Attacking Midfield: Paul Rothrock, Albert Rusnák, Jordan Morris
Forward: Jesús Ferreira
A Changing of the Guard in Goal?
Thomas will likely start on Sunday instead of longtime club legend Frei. The 27-year-old goalkeeper helped Seattle win the 2025 Leagues Cup and was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
Frei, who is now 39, has been with Seattle for 13 seasons. He left training camp early in January due to the unexpected loss of his mother. He signed a new contract in December that lasts until June 2027.
Frei is very popular among fans, having achieved 134 clean sheets in 422 matches. He is the only player to win an MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup.
Tribute to Coach Paulo
After 6 years on the pitch as a midfielder João Paulo will be taking on a new role as part of the Tacoma Defiance coaching staff. The team will honor Paulo prior to Sunday’s kick off.
New Year, New Kits!
As with every campaign, there is a new kit! This year’s beautiful Salish Kit design was created by local Coast Salish artists, inspired by the art of weaving that has been handed down by generations to preserve tribal cultures and traditions.
- Connie McCloud – Puyallup Tribe
- Gail White Eagle – Muckleshoot & Chehalis Tribes
- Danielle Morsette – Suquamish Tribe
The team’s primary kit The Evergreen State Kit draws inspiration from the natural colors that surround the Emerald City.
About Lumen Field
Opened in 2002, Lumen Field is a 325,000-square-foot event center with a capacity of 72,000. It also serves as home to the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Reign FC.
The venue is widely recognized for its sustainability initiatives, including a robust waste diversion program and solar power conversion that returns electricity to the grid during summer months.
Prepare before your trip by reading the stadium’s event guide.
How to Watch/Listen
- TV: FS1, Apple TV
- Radio: SiriusXM FC (157), 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM
- Streaming: MLS App
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