Seattle Sounders test out their youth, fall to Penarol in club's 2020 preseason opener

To kick off their preparations ahead of their 2020 season, the Seattle Sounders played their first game of the preseason, falling 1-0 in a closed-door scrimmage to Uruguayan giants Peñarol.


The Sounders used 27 players in their first tuneup, including a number of academy and Tacoma Defiance standouts. First teamers such as Stefan Frei and others started the match. 


Peñarol scored on a free kick from Jonathan Urretaviscaya which beat goalkeeper Trey Muse.


Schmetzer postgame comments



Interestingly, the Sounders used Gustav Svensson at center back alongside Shane O'Neill, with Kelvin Leerdam and Joevin Jones at fullback. Raul Ruidiaz was due to start the match, but he was a late scratch. 


Seattle kick off their season in little under a month, traveling to face Olimpia in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 on February 20. 


Peñarol, coached by Uruguay legend Diego Forlan, produced the likes of LAFC players Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez in recent years. 


Goals:


  • PEN - Urretaviscaya - 36'


Lineup:


Seattle starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Stefan Frei – Kelvin Leerdam, Gustav Svensson, Shane O’Neill, Joevin Jones – Jordy Delem, Danny Leyva – Shandon Hopeau, Harry Shipp, Handwalla Bwana – Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez


Seattle 30th minute (4-2-3-1, right to left): Trey Muse – Alex Roldan, Sam Rogers, Antonio Lopez, Dillon Serna – Josh Atencio, Chris Hegardt – Ray Serrano, Danny Robles, Ethan Dobbelaere – Justin Dhillon


Seattle 60th minute (4-2-3-1, right to left): Phillip Marceta – Julian Avila-Good, Sam Rogers, Antonio Lopez, Danny Reynolds – Josh Atencio, Chris Hegardt – Azriel Gonzalez, Marlon Vargas, Alex Villanueva – Justin Dhillon