Botafogo and the Seattle Sounders start their journeys on the first version of the expanded Membership World Cup on Sunday in what might be crucial match of the group stage for these two groups.
The 2 sides, hailing from Brazil and the U.S., had been positioned in arguably essentially the most aggressive group, with video games in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid on the schedule for each Botafogo and the Sounders. These two, in consequence, have slim odds of creating it to the spherical of 16, making Sunday’s group stage opener a make-or-break match for every of their hopes on this competitors and for a large chunk of the $1 billion prize pot. The Sounders will get pleasure from home-field benefit not solely on Sunday however for every of their three group stage video games, which they may hope helps tip the scales of their favor considerably.
Their odds and ambitions apart, every enters the competitors in various type. The Sounders are sixth in MLS’ Western Convention and have two wins of their final 5, whereas Botafogo have gained 4 of their final 5 video games and sit in eighth place in Brazil’s Serie A after 11 matches. There’s a nice unknown about this recreation, a lot as there will probably be about lots of the matchups at this new-look Membership World Cup. These two sides not often face off in opposition to rivals from one another’s nations, which might make this recreation a measuring stick of kinds for not solely the energy of every facet, however their leagues and their confederations.
This is what you should know earlier than tuning in.
watch Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders, odds
- Date: Sunday, June 15 | Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Subject — Seattle, Washington
- Reside stream: Watch on DAZN (Attempt free of charge)
- Odds: Botafogo +100; Draw +240; Seattle Sounders +260
How they certified
Botafogo won the 2024 Copa Libertadores in November, accumulating South America’s high membership prize for the primary time by beating Atletico Mineiro 3-1 regardless of choosing up a purple card throughout the first minute. The Sounders, in the meantime, gained the 2022 Concacaf Champions League and had been the primary MLS staff to win the competitors underneath its present format.
Seattle Sounders’ Membership World Cup protest
The Sounders head into Sunday’s recreation – which veteran Cristian Roldan mentioned is “in all probability the most important” within the membership’s historical past – weeks faraway from a protest over earnings, one that has yet to be resolved.
Presently, the collective bargaining settlement between MLS and the Gamers Affiliation permits groups to gather a most of $1 million in prize cash from outdoors competitions. The CBA was ratified earlier than the Membership World Cup was expanded and, extra notably, earlier than FIFA pledged to dole out $1 billion in prize cash. The gamers are already maxed out on their earnings earlier than kicking a ball — North American groups gather $9.55 million merely from reaching the group stage and might earn upwards of $24 million in the event that they win all seven video games in entrance of them and elevate the Membership World Cup.
Participant to look at
Obed Vargas, Seattle Sounders: The Membership World Cup might be a showcase for rising abilities outdoors of Europe, and 19-year-old Obed Vargas is unquestionably one among MLS’ most enjoyable younger prospects. He has an distinctive background as one among solely a handful of pros born in Alaska and thru his Mexican descent, he selected to symbolize El Tri and already has his first cap for the senior nationwide staff. He is no rookie at this level — he might make his one centesimal look for the Sounders in the course of the Membership World Cup group stage, a testomony to his talent as a box-to-box midfielder.
Prediction
Dwelling discipline benefit could favor the Sounders however type tilts in Botafogo’s favor, particularly with Igor Jesus in sturdy type with seven targets in 24 video games thus far this season. South American groups are anticipated to take this competitors very severely, contemplating it’s a good probability to show their price in opposition to European groups. Count on Botafogo to behave accordingly as groups from CONMEBOL goal to impress. Choose: Botafogo 1, Seattle Sounders 0