Well, this one is Going to Hurt

After six fantastic years , Raúl Ruidíaz is expected to leave the club at the end of the 2024 MLS season

Six years, an MLS Cup, a CONCACAF Champions League trophy. One hundred seventy-one club appearances and 86 goals across all competitions. Raúl Ruidíaz has cemented himself in Seattle Sounders lore as the greatest goalscorer the club has ever seen; that includes the likes of Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, and even Fredy Montero. As reported by Nico Moreno and Sounder at Heart, Raúl Riudíaz is not expected to sign a contract extension and will leave the Seattle Sounders at the end of the 2024 season after six years at the club.

According to various reports and sources, Ruidíaz is “unhappy” with his current club situation. According to multiple anonymous sources, Ruidíaz is unhappy with his “lack of playing time, division within the locker room, and a feeling that he’s been undervalued.” This is particularly interesting considering how much the Sounders FO, players, and social team have brought up team unity this season.

It’s been stated that Raúl has a “decaying relationship” with Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, according to the report. The frustrations reached a boiling point in June after a comeback home win against FC Dallas, which Ruidíaz subbed on and netted a goal in the 3-2 win. After the match, there was a locker room altercation between Schmetzer, Raúl, and Nouhou revolving around playing time. Both were banned from training and the next game as well.

Should he start against the Timbers?

This is a controversial take, but he should start against the Timbers on Saturday. I get that he’s been injured, out of form, taking an extended vacation in Cancun, and has had a falling out with Schmetz. BUT, only Fredy Montero has scored more goals against the Timbers than Raúl! And, as much as I love Jordan Morris’ insane form right now, he’s never scored against the Timbers and has never put in a good performance against them, either. And from everything I hear from training, he is fully fit and ready to go.

This will likely be Raúl Ruidíaz’s last regular season home match with the Seattle Sounders, and he deserves to go out in style. Not only could it be his last regular season match, but it could also be his last ever Cascadia Derby, and it could help the Sounders lift one last trophy, the Cascadia Cup. Give him the send-off he deserves and get him to score one last goal against the Timbers. 

It’s painful, I hate it, but it’s the right choice

At first glance, deciding not to renew Raúl Ruidíaz’s contract might seem like a colossal mistake. After all, we’re talking about a player who not only delivered results on the field but also carries a legion of passionate fans. To pundits, journos, and fans alike, he’s synonymous with the Seattle Sounders, and imagining the team without him, like Nico (Lodeiro), is almost unthinkable. But is there some logic behind this decision?

To understand better, we need to consider a few things. First is Raúl’s age. At 34, he’s in the final phase of his career. While he’s proven he can still be a solid goal-scorer (when he’s actually on the pitch), football is a cruel sport, and Father Time is always looming. Injuries become more frequent, recovery is slower, and performance tends to decline. The Sounders, like any other club, need to think about the long-term future.

Then, there’s the financial aspect. Keeping a player like Raúl isn’t cheap. His salary undoubtedly represents a significant portion of the club’s payroll. He is the highest-paid player on the roster, with approximately $2.7 million in guaranteed compensation. Perhaps the Sounders are investing in new, younger, and more promising talents that can offer a long-term return. Understanding this financial strategy helps us see the bigger picture.

Who am I kidding? We all know that Craig Waibel and the Sounders won’t be doing that, but it’s fun to pretend that’s what they’ll do in the offseason. 

What’s next for Raúl?

Based on his injury history and his form after the opening five matches, you’d think there isn’t much of a market for the Peruvian. However, multiple MLS clubs have inquired about him, and the Universitario rumors were flying around a couple of months back. I added to those rumors, but I was just reporting information given to me. 

Club Universitario Sporting Director Jean Ferrari has publicly expressed the club’s strong desire to bring Ruidíaz back home. The personal connection with Universitario, the assurance of being an every-game starter, and the glory of once again being the face of a club in their 100th anniversary make his return to Peru a very strong possibility. It’s evident that Raúl wants to go back and play for his boyhood club, and his posts on Instagram also add to the speculation of his imminent return. However, putting sentiment aside, if it comes down to salary, La U would be at a massive financial disadvantage compared to other clubs in the region. 

While some Liga MX teams are already monitoring the situation in Seattle, I firmly believe MLS teams will have the edge in signing Raúl after this season. From a money standpoint, his current lifestyle, his newly renovated home in Seattle, and based on conversations I’ve had with sources supposedly close to him, it’s likely that Raúl Ruidíaz would like to stay in MLS.

Regardless of what you think of Raúl Ruidíaz, his injury history, and his antics this season, you can’t deny that he is a club legend and is the best striker this team has ever had. Personally, I’ll be sad to see him go, and it’ll be interesting to see where this team goes as they part ways with “La Pulga.”

*All image credits go to Leroy Freeman