Before this week, perhaps the best connection between the Sounders and FC Barcelona occurred in August 2009, when the Spanish giant topped Seattle in a 4-0 friendly. Lionel Messi recorded two goals as the defending UEFA Champions League winner put on a show in front of over 66,000 fans at CenturyLink Field. There is also the established friendship between Nicolás Lodeiro and FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez as teammates for their native Uruguay.
With the signing of midfielder Victor Rodriguez on Wednesday, though, a direct line has been established between the two clubs. For four years, Rodriguez spent time with La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, which is considered one of the best soccer residencies in the world.