Through the first five months of the season, the Seattle Sounders have already played 31 matches across all competitions. Assuming they make the playoffs, they will play at least 16 more.

Even for a team used to competing — and advancing — in multiple tournaments, it’s a notably high number.

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer acknowledged that Leagues Cup presents an opportunity to rest some of the team’s more heavily used players and get a longer look at some others, but also made clear it wouldn’t come at the cost of fielding competitive teams.

“With every tournament these guys hear it, but every tournament, every game is important for this club,” Schmetzer said during the matchday minus-1 press conference.

That’s especially true for Thursday’s opener against Cruz Azul. Not only is Cruz Azul one of the best teams in Liga MX over the past several tournaments, they also knocked the Sounders out of Concacaf Champions Cup on their way to winning the whole thing.

“We want to start well,” Schmetzer said. “This is a big game. I’m going to start the strongest team I can.”

Albert Rusnák made it very clear he wants to be in that group.

Over the past couple of years, the midfielder has made no secret of the idea that he would much rather play games than train. He reiterated that when asked about the potential fixture congestion Leagues Cup poses, even if the Sounders advance beyond Phase One and have to play Knockout Games between regular-season matches.

“The more games you play, the training gets easier,” he said with a grin stretching ear to ear. “That’s what us players like. I’m all for playing a game every three days with a nice easy session in between.

“In all seriousness, when you’re going to play the top teams in the region, it’s easy to get up for the games. You don’t feel as tired and you don’t feel fatigue because you’re looking forward to the next one. Everyone wants to play all three games.”

Motivation for this game was already in ample supply, but with just one MLS team winning on the tournament’s opening night the path to advancement got a little less daunting, too. Of course, the Sounders still have to take advantage of that opportunity.

“We have to do the business ourselves,” Schmetzer said. “They [Cruz Azul] are a top team in Concacaf. I would say for these guys, for the coaching staff, it’s just as big as the Club World Cup. This is a really good team.

“We’re looking forward to a rematch, entertaining fans. I think it will be a good game.”