2. A busy schedule
It’s entirely conceivable the Seattle Sounders will play the highest number of matches in a single season in 2020. This is because they will compete in the regular season, CONCACAF Champions League, U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup; in addition, they will once again hope to take their regular spot in the playoffs.
As reported by Joseph Mondello of Soundersfc.com, Seattle could play up to 52 matches in 2020. For the sake of comparison, the played 45 in 2016, 41 in 2017, 41 in 2018 and just 39 last year. (This potential scenario puts even more pressure on the club to get their roster filled out.) At least Sounders fans should be confident the club will do everything they can to keep the players fresh. Sports science will come to the forefront — this is something Schmetzer strongly believes in and includes managing match and training loads alike.
One thing that is clear is that the Rave Green will give their younger players every opportunity to make their mark on the first team. As we wrote a couple of weeks ago, they will play their strongest possible team in the Champions League and rely on others to pick up the slack in the opening stages of the MLS regular season. In addition, the younger players will have to step up when key players are away during June and July for Euro 2020 and Copa America. The Sounders’ squad will be stretched in 2020.