Botafogo take on the visitors Seattle Sounders in the round 1 match of FIFA Club World Cup. The match will be played on Monday, June 16th at Lumen Field (Seattle, WA).
Botafogo look to rediscover rhythm after early-season turmoil. The Lone Star pleasantly surprised everyone. After the disappointing collapse at the end of the 2023 campaign, many expected a decline. Instead, the club bounced back in style, edging out traditional powerhouses like Palmeiras (by six points) and Flamengo to win the Brazilian Serie A title. It marked only the third championship in their history — and the first since 1995! Even more impressively, they managed to conquer the Copa Libertadores for the first time ever. However, the architect of that triumph, Artur Jorge, became embroiled in a personal scandal that effectively sidelined him from the role. As a result, the club collapsed in the Carioca state championship (failing to reach the playoffs) and lost both legs of the Recopa Sudamericana to Racing Avellaneda (0-2 each). Still, they're alive in the national cup, and in the league they’ve dropped points in only one of their last four — a goalless draw with Flamengo.
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Seattle Sounders have been competing since 2009 and boast a respectable trophy cabinet. MLS Cup wins in 2016 and 2019, plus a 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title, stand out as their crowning achievements. Last season was solid as well: they collected 57 points, finishing fourth in the Western Conference before eliminating Houston Dynamo and LAFC in the playoffs. In the conference final, they narrowly lost 0-1 to eventual champions LA Galaxy. This campaign has been more turbulent for Brian Schmetzer’s side. They beat Guatemala’s Antigua in the Champions Cup but were then eliminated by Cruz Azul. Domestically, their recent form dipped ahead of this tournament — they conceded three goals in defeats to both Minnesota United and Vancouver Whitecaps.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two clubs. The Brazilians seem to be regaining form at the right time. Back them to take the win here.
Prediction for the match: Botafogo to win.
