Compiled by Tim Clinton
The draw for the 2026 Concacef Champions Cup was held in Miami last week with the Seattle Sounders FC team set to face the winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps vs. CS Cartagines Round One matchup in the Round of 16 of the continental tournament.
This will mark the Rave Green's ninth Concacef Champions Cup campaign, previously becoming the first MLS team to lift the championship trophy in 2022.
Following its championship run during Leagues Cup 2025 this past summer, Sounders FC is one of four teams that has a bye in Round One and enters the tournament in the Round of 16, which is set to be played between March 10 and March 19.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC, one of Seattle's fiercest rivals, is coming off its best season in Major League Soccer. Finishing second in the Western Conference, Vancouver reached the MLS Cup Final before falling, 3-1, to Inter Miami CF.
Seattle and Vancouver have met 156 times in all competitions dating back to 1974 when both teams played in the North American Soccer League, with Seattle leading the all-time series,74-54-28. Whitecaps FC also reached the final of last year's Concacaf Champions Cup, losing, 5-0, to Cruz Azul at Estadio Universitario.
Costa Rican side CS Cartagines enters the tournament after winning its Central American Cup Play-In Match. Playing in Costa Rica's topflight, the club finished third in the Primera Division Apertura.
The Rave Green have never faced off against the team in any competition.
With Lumen Field in Seattle undergoing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sounders FC's home leg of the Round of 16 matchup will be played at a different venue.
Additional information on Seattle's home venue for the Round of 16 is being announced at a later date. Sounders FC announced today that the 18th match included in the 2026 Season Ticket Memberships will be a Leagues Cup 2026 fixture.
Sounders FC recently announced a number of moves on its roster.
The club re-signed goalie Stefan Frei and also claimed goalkeeper Max Anchor off End-Of-Year Waivers from Vancouver Whitecaps FC's developmental system.
Seattle followed those moves up by signing Federal Way native Hassani Dotson to a contract as a free agent.
Dotson plays in the midfield and has spent his entire seven-year MLS career with Minnesota United FC, making 176 appearances and scoring 18 goals in all competitions.
Prior to all of that, Sounders FC transferred midfielder Danny Leyva to Club Necaxa of Liga MX.
The University of Washington Department of Athletics will pay tribute to the life and legacy of women's soccer student-athlete Mia Hamant, who inspired so many with her fight against kidney cancer, with a Celebration of Life on Jan. 6 at the Alaska Airlines Arena on campus.
Hamant passed away on Nov. 6, and the story of her bravery and unwavering resilience touched hearts around the world. Her teammates and biggest supporters on the Washington women's soccer team honored her the best they knew how, winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships and advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals to equal the best finish in program history.
The event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 4 p.m. A reception will follow on the concourse level of the Alaska Airlines Arena.
For those unable to attend the Celebration of Life in Seattle, but wish to take part, the event will be broadcast live and accessible at GoHuskies.com/MiaHamant.
Washington staff will be stationed on the arena concourse to receive flowers, cards and written messages for the Hamant family.
Individuals can also send video messages of support to the family.
Anyone who would like to send flowers and cards in advance of the event may do so by addressing to: University of Washington Athletics - Graves Hall, Attn. Hamant Family, 3910 Montlake Blvd. NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
ADA parking will be available in Lots E17 and E20 with a placard. General parking will be available for all surrounding stadium lots, including E12, E19, E18 and E21. All parking will be PayByPhone.