When I think of the Seattle Sounders, my mind thinks of a Rave Green jersey with blue sleeves, the Xbox logo sprawled across the front, and Clint Dempsey’s roaring face celebrating yet another goal from the USMNT GOAT (No time to debate, just get on board). For as long as I can remember, the Sounders have had a few USMNT regulars on their books, from Casey Keller to Eddie Johnson and a long list in between. It’s a franchise that’s been built by some of the best American players to ever kick a ball, and the tradition of signing American ballers hasn’t stopped just yet.

This offseason, the Sounders went out and acquired both Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola from FC Dallas, adding two more fringe USMNT players to their ranks. With the likes of Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldán already playing key roles in the squad, Seattle is no stranger to signing American stars, and given their track record (two MLS Cups and a Concacaf Champions Cup title in the last 10 years), I’d say it’s a strategy that’s paying dividends.

While I wouldn’t put Arriola or Ferreira in the same rarified air as Dempsey, Keller, or Johnson just yet, they’ve been important faces in the USMNT setup across the last several years. Arriola is out for the remainder of the season, but the trend remains; this Sounders side is pretty dang American.

Jesus Ferreira

Loons fans will remember Jesus Ferreira from his time in Dallas, where he took the league by storm as a young forward. He scored in his professional debut as a 17-year-old in 2017, a sign of what was to come. Ferreira would go on to notch 55 goals in 181 games for Los Toros, leading their line and earning his way to a DP deal in the 2022 season. He put up a career-best 18 goals in 33 games after earning his big-money contract, drawing interest from teams in Europe before ultimately staying in MLS.

While he was scoring for Dallas, Ferreira impressed USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, who gave him his first call-up and cap in January of 2020. He picked a reputation of scoring in bulk against Concacaf teams through some impressive national team performances, earning the nickname, “The Pirate of the Caribbean” after he scored his first international hat trick against Grenada in a 5-0 win. His goal scoring ability saw him sneak into the USA’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, where he featured against the Netherlands in the Round of 16.

In both league play and international play, Jesus Ferreira has proven that he belongs on a big stage. Though he’s lined up as a striker and found success leading the line in the past, his skill set is more akin to a number 10 or a false nine, demonstrating a passing range that allows him to connect his team in a way that few forwards can. Just look at his stats this year for his new team: Sure, just one goal. But five assists show that even if he’s not the man finding the back of the net, he’s getting involved in the play.

Statistically American

Between their four USMNT guys, the Sounders have a total of 165 international caps on their squad, and that’s just for the Red, White, and Blue. Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola will likely both be out this weekend due to injury, but their mere presence on the squad elevates their team. With experience in Gold Cups, World Cups, and every competition in between, the leaders of this Sounders team have seen just about everything this sport has to offer, and whether they’re on the field or not, their influence bleeds into everything the Rave Green does.

The moves for Arriola and Ferreira this offseason were criticized by some for various reasons, from the ages to perceived ceilings of each player, but I don’t see any issues from my seat. A healthy connection to the USMNT is a great way to keep your club relevant and talent-ridden; signing players that have made a mark in international soccer is never a bad idea, especially if you can do it for a price that works for you. Seattle has been a historically successful franchise for some time now, with trophies decorating their timeline and some absolute giants of American soccer orchestrating their best title challenges.

I know Loons fans are painfully aware of how good the Sounders have been, so my apologies for bringing up any negative emotions. But, rather than focusing on the fact that Seattle has had MNUFC’s number since they joined the league, I figured a positive angle tied to the USMNT would be slightly more tolerable for you Black and Blue faithful. In summary: watch out for Ferreira this weekend, and don’t wear a US jersey while you watch. That’s basically a Seattle jersey at this point.