Sounders Halftime Observations From Seattle’s Home Match Against Querétaro, August 9th, 2026

By Charles Hamaker

Seattle, WA - The vibes at Lumen Field are much better this afternoon than they have been over the last month or so, as the Seattle Sounders carry a 2-0 lead over Querétaro F.C. in the first half of this 2026 Leagues Cup group stage match. Goals from Sebastian Gomez and Danny Musovski put Seattle ahead at the halfway mark, though Querétaro has come knocking a few times through the first 45 minutes.

Sebastian Gomez celebrates his first-half goal during the Seattle Sounders FC Leagues Cup group stage victory over Querétaro F.C. on Sunday, August 9th, 2026, at Lumen Field. (Sandra Agbotse / Sounders FC Communications)

Sebastian strikes first

20-year-old midfielder Sebastian Gomez has impressed in the instances of game action that he’s seen for the Sounders, spending most of the first half of the year on the bench for Seattle while providing lengthy shifts for the Tacoma Defiance. He didn’t get into any action for the Rave Green until May 16th, playing 14 minutes against the LA Galaxy. He’s played chunks of time here and there since, two minutes against Austin, ten against Philadelphia, the first half against Portland, and 14 minutes against Toluca. It’s a small sample size, but the Boca Raton, Florida native has flashed positive signs when he does get on the pitch.

The flashes became a full-on light early for a Seattle club in desperate need of a positive lift. Coming into this match, having lost seven consecutive contests, the Sounders needed someone to throw the first punch considering the clouds surrounding the team and the injuries they’re currently battling. Insert the 5’8” Gomez, starting as the right winger this afternoon, and that punch came in the fifth minute. Seattle came into the opposing half with speed, with Danny Musovski dropping off to a streaking Albert Rusnák, who found Paul Rothrock up the left side. Rothrock glided a left-footed cross through the 18-yard box to the other side of the field where Gomez had slotted in unmarked, tucking in a right-footed shot.

It’s a nice moment for Sebastian to break through and get the goal, especially to do so in hopefully a positive momentum swing for the club.

Seattle shows a few defensive cracks

There have been some warning shots from Querétaro F.C., and the Sounders certainly have Stefan Frei to thank for bailing them out on a few occasions. The veteran goalkeeper has shown very well in the match and a half he’s gotten here in Leagues Cup, which is good to see considering that Andrew Thomas has taken over as the number one option between the sticks for Brian Schmetzer. There was some thought, towards the last few matches before the Sounders paused MLS play to begin Leagues Cup group-stage action, that Frei should step back into the top role, with the idea that Thomas needed a reset. That’s a different discussion for a different day, but what’s obvious now is how solid Stef has looked in Leagues Cup action.

Querétaro got a shot from the center of the 18-yard box just seven minutes after the Gomez goal, but Frei was able to make the save. The away side got another shot off from the center of the box that Stef was able to handle, and thankfully, from there, Seattle’s defense ensured that their opponent didn’t get any more looks in the half from that distance. The attempts that Querétaro got after that next look in the 14th minute were all outside of the box except for one header attempt shortly after a corner. In moments where the Sounders could’ve surrendered a response goal, Frei stepped up and helped his team out.

What to look for in the second half

• It would be nice to see the Sounders tighten things up defensively, considering that they’ve given up some prime looks in the first half. The absolute last thing that you’d want to do after securing a two-goal lead in the first half is piss it away quickly, ruining any chance of this being the win that snaps your ugly skid.

• I’d like to see Pedro de la Vega get into this match if the Sounders can secure a third goal. He’s finally available for selection for Seattle after they’ve been careful with him coming back from another injury. With a three-goal lead, getting Pepo some action to reintegrate would be lovely and a welcome sight.

  • In a similar vein, the Sounders have a few young kids on the bench for this match. If Seattle is able to hold onto their lead and expand upon it, guys like Mark O’Neill and Edson Carli would be fun introductions to the match.

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• Check out our previous Seattle Sounders FC articles here.

• Check out our previous articles written by Charles Hamaker here.

• Photo by Sandra Agbotse / Sounders FC Communications

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