The Seattle Sounders faced a tough start to their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign, falling 2-1 to Brazil's Botafogo at Lumen Field on June 15, 2025. Botafogo, the reigning Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores champions, established an early two-goal lead before Seattle mounted a spirited second-half comeback that ultimately fell short.
The match began with Seattle showing promising intent, controlling early possession and creating chances through homegrown talents like Obed Vargas and Jesús Ferreira. However, a costly foul by Sounders left back Nouhou Tolo in the 28th minute set the stage for Botafogo's opener. Nouhou's shove on Botafogo forward Artur earned him a yellow card and gifted the visitors a dangerous free kick just outside Seattle's penalty area. Alex Telles, the former Manchester United left back, expertly curled the ball into the box, where 20-year-old center back Jair Cunha rose powerfully to head home and give Botafogo the lead.
Seattle's defense, including center back Kim Kee-hee who had just returned from a calf injury, struggled to contain Botafogo's aerial threat. Just before halftime, a clever switch of play caught the Sounders off guard. Vitinho delivered a pinpoint cross to striker Igor Jesus, who headed the ball past goalkeeper Stefan Frei to double the Brazilian side's advantage. These two headers—one from a set piece and the other from open play—highlighted Botafogo's dominance in the air and their tactical edge in the first half.
Despite the 2-0 deficit at halftime, Seattle came out with renewed vigor in the second half. The Sounders dominated possession, holding 64% of the ball and outshooting Botafogo 19-5 during this period. Paul Rothrock, a Seattle native and rising star, became a key figure in the comeback effort, consistently creating dangerous opportunities. In the 75th minute, Rothrock tracked down a loose ball in the left corner and delivered a precise cross into the box. Midfielder Cristian Roldan timed his diving header perfectly, sending a deflected ball past Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor to pull Seattle within one goal. This goal was significant, marking the first time an MLS team had scored in the revamped Club World Cup after Inter Miami's 0-0 draw earlier in the tournament.
Seattle pressed hard for an equalizer in the final minutes. Pedro de la Vega, who came off the bench, had a golden chance in the 80th minute but mishit his shot, missing a clear opportunity to level the score. Later, in stoppage time, de la Vega again found himself in a promising position but was denied by a crucial save from John Victor. Botafogo's goalkeeper stood tall throughout the match, especially in the closing moments when Stefan Frei also made several key saves to keep the game competitive.
Seattle's head coach Brian Schmetzer will find positives in his team's second-half performance despite the loss. The Sounders demonstrated resilience and tactical adjustments, including halftime substitutions that replaced Nouhou and Kim with Jon Bell and Reed Baker-Whiting, which helped stabilize the defense and fuel the comeback attempt. Roldan, who finished with four key passes and an 87% passing accuracy, emerged as a standout player, contributing both offensively and defensively.
Botafogo’s Igor Jesus was named Man of the Match, showcasing his aerial prowess and clinical finishing. Both Jesus and Jair Cunha, along with teammate Cuiabano, have reportedly reached verbal agreements with English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, highlighting the growing interest in Botafogo's talents on the global stage.
The match was played in front of 30,151 passionate fans at Lumen Field, which had undergone upgrades for the tournament, including natural grass laid over the artificial turf and covered signage to comply with FIFA's sponsorship regulations. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters displaying banners carrying political messages such as "Fair Share Now" and "Anti-Fascist, Always Seattle, Anti-Racist," reflecting the city’s activist spirit. The Sounders players themselves had previously worn T-shirts criticizing the Club World Cup prize money distribution, signaling ongoing tensions between MLS players and the league.
Looking ahead, Seattle faces a daunting path in Group B. After this narrow defeat, the Sounders will host Atlético Madrid on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Lumen Field. The Spanish giants suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their opening match, adding intrigue to the upcoming showdown. Botafogo will face PSG at the Rose Bowl on the same day, both teams currently tied atop the group standings.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 continues to showcase top-tier talent and fierce competition from clubs around the globe. Seattle’s spirited second-half fight against a formidable Botafogo side suggests they still have the quality and determination to challenge Europe's elite. However, the margin for error remains thin as the tournament progresses. The Sounders must capitalize on their home advantage and sharpen their finishing if they hope to advance from this challenging group.
Ultimately, while the loss stings, Seattle’s performance against Botafogo was a testament to their resilience and potential on the world stage. The stage is set for an exciting group phase, with the Sounders eager to bounce back and keep their Club World Cup dreams alive.
