Preparing in Seattle
When the flight touched down at Seattle‑Tacoma International, the buzz around River Plate’s camp was louder than the roar of the Seahawks crowd. The Argentine giants have been given a high‑tech base at the Providence Swedish Performance Center, the home of the Sounders, and it’s not just a locker‑room — it’s a full‑scale training village with video analysis rooms and a gym that rivals any European elite club.
Coach Marcelo Gallardo, back for his second spell, has been quick to stress routine. “We train, we eat, we sleep like any other week,” he told reporters on the first day, a reminder that even with an expanded Club World Cup on the horizon, the basics still matter. Media access will be generous, with daily sessions streamed for fans back in Buenos Aires and the rest of the world.
The squad’s only senior addition this season is Lautaro Rivero, signed from Central Córdoba. Rivero, a versatile midfielder, is expected to provide fresh passing angles and cover for the ageing core. Alongside him, three academy graduates have earned first‑team shirts – a sign that Gallardo is willing to gamble on home‑grown talent when the stakes are high.
Off the pitch, rumors swirl about Franco Mastantuono’s possible move to Real Madrid. The 22‑year‑old forward’s name has been on every transfer board, and the speculation could be a distraction. Gallardo addressed it directly: “If the papers say something, we’ll read it. If not, we keep our heads down and play football.” The message seems to have stuck; training drills have been intense, with a focus on quick transitions that suit River Plate’s attacking philosophy.
Group Stage Challenges
River Plate’s opening match lands them against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds on June 17 at Seattle’s Lumen Field. The Japanese side, currently third in the J‑League, has been shaky – two wins in their last seven outings – but they bring a lethal striker in Ryoma Watanabe, who finished the season as Urawa’s top scorer.
Beyond Watanabe, Urawa boasts a mix of experience and flair: Matheus Savio, the ex‑Flamengo winger, adds creativity on the wing; Samuel Gustafson, a journeyman who’s played across Italy, offers defensive stability; and Danilo Boza, a Brazilian league standout, can unlock defenses with his pace. Their inconsistency might be a blessing for River, but underestimating a team with such pedigree would be a mistake.
After the Seattle opener, the schedule ramps up quickly. River Plate will travel to Los Angeles for a June 21 showdown with Monterrey at the Rose Bowl, then return to Seattle for a June 25 clash with Inter Milan, the heavyweight European representative. The group’s layout looks like this:
- June 17 – Urawa Red Diamonds vs. River Plate – Lumen Field, Seattle
- June 21 – River Plate vs. Monterrey – Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
- June 25 – Inter Milan vs. River Plate – Lumen Field, Seattle
The compact timeline means recovery and squad rotation will be key. Gallardo’s bench depth is a question mark – apart from Rivero, the only other senior options are a couple of seasoned veterans who have seen less game time this season. The three youth players could get minutes, especially if the team needs to keep the core fresh for the back‑to‑back fixtures.
Looking at the bigger picture, River Plate’s entry into the expanded tournament is historic. It’s the first time an Argentine club will compete in a Club World Cup hosted on U.S. soil, and the expectations from the fanbase are sky‑high. A strong start against Urawa could set the tone, but the real test will be maintaining focus amid transfer chatter, media scrutiny, and the inevitable travel fatigue.
One thing’s clear: the squad’s preparation in Seattle isn’t just about fitness; it’s about building chemistry under pressure. Gallardo’s mantra of “play simple, play together” echoes through every drill, and if the players can translate that into match‑day execution, they’ll be a serious contender against Monterrey’s grit and Inter’s European polish.