It was expected that points would be at a premium for the Seattle Sounders, who were drawn into an absurd FIFA Club World Cup group against two regular UEFA Champions League contenders and last year's South American champions.
It was not expected, however, that Atletico Madrid would themselves be in such a dire position, desperate for points as they meet their MLS opponents at Lumen Field on Thursday.
Both clubs were beaten in their opening match of the group stage, with the Sounders heartbroken in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Botafogo, while Atleti were blasted 4-0 by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
The two are now in a position where they must secure points, especially the Sounders knowing they have a match against PSG on the horizon. Atletico will also want to make sure to secure points here, knowing that their finale against Botafogo could determine who reaches the knockouts.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
MORE: Full rosters for all 32 teams participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid starting lineups, team news
Seattle Sounders veteran Jordan Morris has missed significant time this season with a lengthy injury, and while he's back in training, at least individually, he did not participate in the opening Club World Cup match and is once again on the bench.
They've also been missing lynchpin defender Yeimar Gomez due to injury, although he joins Morris as a substitute option today.
Amidst calls for head coach Brian Schmetzer to bench left-back Nouhou, the boss has decided to rotate heavily, with not only the 27-year-old hooked, but a number of other players from the Sunday's XI. Kee-Hee Kim, Jesus Ferreira, Ryan Kent, and Alex Roldan are all brought out, replaced by Jon Bell at the back, Reed Baker-Whiting at left-back, Paul Rothrock and Pedro de la Vega on the flanks.
Seattle Sounders starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Frei (GK) — 85. Rienzi, 15. Bell, 25. Ragen, 21. Baker-Whiting — 7. C. Roldan, 18. Vargas — 10. de la Vega, 11. Rusnak, 14. Rothrock — 19. Musovski
Injured: None
Suspended: None
On a yellow card: None
Full Seattle Sounders squad
Goalkeepers: Jacob Castro, Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas
Defenders: Cody Baker, Jon Bell, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Kim Kee-hee, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan, Travian Sousa, Nouhou Tolo
Midfielders: Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva, Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnak, Obed Vargas
Forwards: Pedro de la Vega, Osaze de Rosario, Jesus Ferreira, Ryan Kent, Georgi Minoungou, Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski, Paul Rothrock.
Oddly enough, while the Sounders rotate heavily despite a strong first performance, Diego Simeone keeps largely his entire XI intact despite being thrashed by PSG in their opener.
Clement Lenglet misses the match through suspension after being sent off in the opener, forcing Jose Gimenez into the lineup. Yet nearly the entire rest of the lineup remains intact, with only Antoine Griezmann rotated out for Alexander Sorloth up front.
That means the likes of Conor Gallagher, Reinildo, Axel Witsel, and Cesar Azpilicueta all must bide their time hoping to see the field as a substitute.
Atletico Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 13. Oblak (GK) — 14. Llorente, 2. Gimenez, 24. Le Normand, 21. Galan — 8. Barrios, 6. Koke, 5. De Paul — 22. Simeone, 9. Sorloth, 19. Alvarez.
Injured: None
Suspended: Lenglet (red card)
On a yellow card: Simeone, Le Normand, Koke, Reinildo, Correa
Full Atletico Madrid squad
Goalkeepers: Salvador Esquivel, Antonio Gomis, Juan Musso, Jan Oblak
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Galan, Jose Maria Gimenez, Ilias Kostis, Clement Lenglet, Robin Le Normand, Nahuel Molina, Reinildo, Axel Witsel
Midfielders: Pablo Barrios, Rayane Belaid, Rodrigo De Paul, Conor Gallagher, Koke, Thomas Lemar, Samuel Lino, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo Riquelme, Taufik Seidu, Javi Serrano
Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Angel Correra, Antoine Griezmann, Carlos Martin, Giuliano Simeone, Alexander Sorloth.
Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid score prediction
The Seattle Sounders impressed against Botafogo, and probably should have won that game. Unfortunately, it didn't go their way, and the chance was lost. Now, they're facing a steep uphill climb.
Ultimately, it's going to be nearly impossible to secure a result against either Atletico Madrid or PSG, no matter how well they play. Both these European sides are of real quality, and it's hard to imagine Seattle emerging even remotely close to this one, or the next one for that matter.
Prediction: Seattle Sounders 1-3 Atletico Madrid
How to watch Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid: Live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Club World Cup group match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Thu, Jun. 19 | 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| Canada | Thu, Jun. 19 | 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Thu, Jun. 19 | 11 p.m. BST | Channel 5 | DAZN |
| Australia | Fri, Jun. 20 | 8 a.m. AEST | — | DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now |
| India | Fri, Jun. 20 | 3:30 a.m. IST | — | DAZN, tabii |