In the final preseason match before the season opens against Santa Tecla in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Sounders deployed a lineup that earned mixed reviews against USL side Sacramento Republic, but ultimately came out victorious 3-1.
The Sounders got off to the perfect start, with Jordan Morris scoring in the second minute of the match off a free kick by Nicolas Lodeiro. Henry Wingo set the wheels of the first goal in motion by pressuring a Sacramento defender, which led to a poor giveaway and a lovely ball to Lodeiro, who, rather than taking a one-touch shot, chose to try and feed the ball into the box.