Pedro de La Vega flashes upside in Sounders’ preseason finale

RENTON — Pedro de la Vega released a soft “aww” at the final whistle of the Sounders’ preseason match Wednesday. The midfielder wanted more.

But a brace in a 4-0 win against USL Championship side Louisville City FC will have to suffice. The teams played a 90-minute match on artificial turf at the Sounders’ training facility in Renton.

De la Vega, the high-priced signing who spent the bulk of last season injured, finished with four goals and one assist in his team’s 3-0-2 exhibition schedule.

Wednesday was one of two friendlies with a traditional format and the only one stateside. The others were used to build fitness and chemistry while the Sounders held an approximate three-week preseason camp in Marbella, Spain.

“We see a healthy Pedro, a Pedro that seems to have acclimated to Seattle and the game in MLS,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said after the win. “Hopefully we see that in league play. He just needs some run of games and hopefully he continues to stay healthy because he’s going to be an important piece to our team.”

The Sounders open their 2025 campaign on the road with a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Guatemala’s Antigua GFC on Feb. 19. The MLS regular season opener is Feb. 22 against Charlotte FC at Lumen Field.

“We’re motivated,” Sounders forward Jesús Ferreira said. “The guys are focused and once Monday hits, we’re going to be tuned in. We were trying to finish this preseason on a good note with no injuries and a good game like [Wednesday], so everybody is ready for what’s to come.”

The preseason finale was an intense match likely because of the recent history between the clubs. Seattle defeated Louisville 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw to dispatch the team from the U.S. Open Cup last spring. The Sounders also collected a 2-1 win against LouCity during the 2023 preseason.

On Wednesday, Sounders keeper Stefan Frei made saves to protect the clean sheet while the offense flowed.

Ferreira, a trade acquisition from FC Dallas, delivered a nice ball on a corner kick for Roldan to play to de la Vega for the opening score in the 23^rd minute. Ferreira then connected with Roldan in transition for a 2-0 lead in the 24^th minute.

To round out the first-half goals, the Sounders earned a free kick in good position for Ferreira to lead a set piece score. He sent service to defender Jackson Ragen outside the keeper’s box, the latter heading the ball toward the mouth of goal that de la Vega tried to bicycle kick into the net. Instead, Sounders center back Yeimar was open to head the rebound into goal for a 3-0 lead in the 39^th minute.

After a short break, Sounders forward Jordan Morris showed his strength in corralling a longball from Nouhou while being wrestled to ground. Morris poked a pass to a racing Paul Arriola, who fed de la Vega for the final goal in the 79^th minute.

“With the addition of Jesús and Pedro has been looking good, we’re excited to see what we can do this year,” Sounders right wingback Alex Roldan said.

Ferreira was limited to 73 minutes as part of his program to regain fitness from healed hamstring injuries. Schmetzer subbed on midfielder Georgi Minoungou to play on the wing.

The Sounders played a second match with a mix of players on both sides. Goals from defender Stuart Hawkins (28th minute) and forward Danny Musovski (82nd) and an own goal (52nd) led to a 3-0 Sounders win.

The only players unable to log any minutes Wednesday due to recent injuries were midfielders Albert Rusnák (quad) and Reed Baker-Whiting (hamstring).

“[We’re] taking it slowly,” Ferreira said of his progress. He opted out of U.S. men’s national team training camp in January to work with his new team. “It’s [more] about feeling good and finishing on a positive note than pushing. So, I feel amazing. The staff is doing a great job taking care of me and making sure everything is good to go. I’m looking forward to the first game and the season starting.”