Seattle Sounders Face Atletico Madrid in Club World Cup Showdown

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) — The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. ET, as the Seattle Sounders face Atletico Madrid at Lumen Field. Both teams are in desperate need of a win after suffering losses in their opening matches.

The Sounders fell 2-1 to Botafogo in their first match, while Atletico suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. With both teams at the bottom of Group B, tonight’s match is critical for their chances at advancing.

Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer has made changes following the loss, while Atletico’s manager Diego Simeone is also adjusting his lineup. Atletico will bring in Jose Maria Gimenez in defense for the suspended Clement Lenglet, while Koke is back in midfield and Alexander Sorloth replaces Antoine Griezmann in attack.

“We need to win,” Simeone said during a press conference. “There’s no other option for us if we want to progress.”

The Sounders, competing in the tournament due to their 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory, have seen consistent performance in the league but are lacking a trophy this season. Obed Vargas, a promising midfielder, has made 107 appearances and is one to watch on the pitch.

Atletico Madrid, known for their competitive resilience, is looking to rebound quickly and will rely on their star forward, Julian Alvarez, to lead the attack. The transfer from Manchester City proved his worth last season, scoring 29 goals and assisting seven more.

Match fixtures will conclude with PSG taking on Botafogo later tonight, making this a pivotal day in the tournament. Fans can view tonight’s matchup on DAZN, and those attending can expect an electric atmosphere at Lumen Field.

The outcome of this match could very well determine who progresses from this high-stakes group stage. If the Sounders can leverage their home advantage, they could upset the highly-favored Atletico side.

With the clock ticking down to kick-off, the anticipation builds. “We are ready to fight,” said Sounders player Cristian Roldan.