Sounders come up short in FIFA Club World Cup opener

Botafogo 2-1 Seattle Sounders FC

SEATTLE, WA–Seattle Sounders FC did well to battle back against defending Copa Libertadores champion Botafogo of Brazil, but the comeback came up short as the Sounders lost, 2-1, at Lumen Field in their FIFA Club World Cup opener before a crowd of 30,151.

Photo: Nate Koppelman

Jair Cunha headed in an Alex Telles free kick in the 28th minute to give the Brazilian side the lead. It would be another header just before halftime that doubled Botafogo’s lead. Vitinho’s cross went perfectly to the head of Igor Jesus from 12 yards out.

However, the Sounders were determined to make a game out it and they did. Albert Rusnak and Jackson Ragen came close in the 58th minute, both denied by the goalkeeper John. The Sounders finally got the goal in the 75th minute when Cristian Roldan’s header took a deflection off Igor Jesus and into the net to make it 2-1.

The Sounders then pressed for an equalizer, but ultimately could not get one. However, there were positives to take from the Sounders’ performance.

“We showed that we can play against any team,” said Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas to the Seattle Times. “We just need to replicate that again.”

The Sounders’ next match in the Club World Cup is Thursday against Atletico Madrid. Kickoff is at 3pm PT on DAZN. Botafogo take on Paris-St. Germain at the Rose Bowl on Thursday (6pm PT, DAZN).

Photos by Nate Koppelman