The Seattle Sounders will make their first trip in three years to the Carolina Challenge Cup during their preseason preparations for the 2017 MLS regular season, tournament officials announced on Tuesday.
The Sounders will be one of four teams in the South Carolina tournament, joining fellow MLS sides Columbus Crew SC and 2017 expansion club Atlanta United, as well as the host Charleston Battery from the USL. The Sounders have played once before in the tournament’s 12-year history, finishing in second place in 2013.
The four participating teams will play in a round robin style tournament with matches taking place over the course of three days in February. The tournament will open on Feb. 18 at MUSC Health Stadium (formerly Blackbaud Stadium) and wrap on Feb. 25.
“We are thrilled to bring Major League Soccer back to Charleston, South Carolina for the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup,” said Andrew Bell, Charleston Battery President. “We always enjoy the level of excitement that these games bring and we look forward to our local soccer fans being able to see some of the very best players in the U.S. right here in the Lowcountry.”
The Sounders will also take part in the Desert Friendlies in Tucson Ariz, Jan. 27 – Feb. 7. The Sounders are one of seven MLS clubs involved in the Desert Friendlies, including the Portland Timbers as well as 2016 MLS Cup Playoff squads Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake.
2017 Carolina Challenge Cup (all times Eastern)
Saturday, Feb. 18
Charleston Battery vs. Columbus Crew SC (4:30 pm)
Atlanta United vs. Seattle Sounders (7:00 pm)
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew SC (5:00 pm)
Charleston Battery vs. Seattle Sounders (7:30 pm)
Saturday, Feb. 25
Seattle Sounders vs. Columbus Crew SC (4:30 pm)
Charleston Battery vs. Atlanta United (7:00 pm)
