The Seattle Sounders return home on Saturday, May 21st, to take on the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids are currently leading the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings. Yes, you read that right. Amazing what a year can do once the right players are brought to the team. This will be the final meeting between the two teams this year unless the meet in the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs or Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Second meeting in four weeks
This will be the second meeting in four weeks between the two clubs. Colorado got the last laugh when they played back on April 23rd when they defeated the Sounders 3-1 on goals from Jermaine Jones (20’), Luis Solignac (51’) and Kevin Doyle (86’). The Sounders lone goal came from rookie Jordan Morris (63’).
Morris was the lone bright spot in the game for the Sounders. Brad Evans was sent off after receiving two yellow cards (86’) in a matter of seconds for dissent. Evans and the rest of the Sounders were not happy about a foul that was not called at midfield. With the play being allowed to continue, the Rapids went right down the field and scored. The Sounders were also not happy about the third goal as it appeared the Doyle was offside when the ball was played to him.
Rapids rolling, Sounders reeling
Colorado enters this game with an undefeated streak of seven games and has been unbeaten in their last three games on the road as well. Overall they have a record of 1-2-3 (W-L-T) on the road while Seattle is (4-2-0) at home. The Sounders had their brief two-game winning streak snapped by FC Dallas this past weekend when they lost 2-0 on the road.
It is safe to say that the Sounders are not having their best year. They began the season starting 0-3-0, but were able to turn it around and have gone 4-2-1 since then. Even with winning some games over the last six weeks, they still find themselves sitting in eighth place in the conference. Even with a win this week and a loss by Sporting Kansas City, they will be below the dreaded redline.
Keys to the game
There are plenty of things that the Sounders need to work on. One of the more important being they need to link up with their forwards better. The midfield seems to be having issues connecting with Morris, Clint Dempsey and Hercules Gomez. The one bright spot of the midfield has been the return of Erik Friberg. Since he returned from a knee injury, he has been sending in good crosses. Sadly, they have not been converted into goals by his teammates.
The Sounders need to contain Jermaine Jones. Since he came back from his suspension, Jones has been on fire. They will also need to keep an eye on Kevin Doyle. The last few times these two teams have played; he has been the knife in Seattle’s back.
Injuries
Colorado has three players listed as out. Defenders Sean St. Ledger (knee injury) and Eric Miller (groin injury) will not play. Former Sounders player Marco Pappa (sprained knee) will not get to play in front of the club that traded him in the offseason.
Seattle will still be without Roman Torres (left ACL tear). Hopefully he will be back with the club soon. He will surely shore up the defense and back line once he returns. According to Matt Pentz of the Seattle Times, Nelson Valdez will miss this match due to a calf injury.
Chad Marshall is listed as questionable for this match as well according to Pentz.
Prediction
The way things have been going for the Sounders, who knows what will happen in this match. Colorado has been playing well on the road as of late and Seattle has played much better at home. That being said, this has Colorado written all over it. The Rapids are clearly the better team and don’t have any glaring issues on the injury front. If Andres Ivanschitz does play, he is 100% according to Pentz, he could be a huge factor. Still it won’t be enough for the Sounders and they will lose their third home game of the season and second straight overall.