The Seattle Sounders will take on Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday in their only regular-season meeting. Here is everything you need to know about the match:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on Q13 FOX or ROOT Sports outside Seattle.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air in English on SoundersFC.com or in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 4-5-4 (16 points, 8th place West), Crew SC: 6-7-1 (19 points, 6th place East).
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 5-3-3 all time against Crew SC, including a 3-1-1 mark in Columbus.
RECENT MEETINGS: The Sounders defeated Crew SC 1-0 on April 30 in Seattle last year in their only regular-season meeting. Jordan Morris scored the game-winner in the 88th minute.
NATIONAL TEAM DUTIES: The Sounders will be without starting forward Morris and midfielder Clint Dempsey, as each is with the United States national team ahead of the U.S.’ friendly against Venezuela on June 3. The U.S. will then host Trinidad and Tobago in Round 5 of Hexagonal in CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying in Commerce City, Colorado, on June 8 before visiting Estadio Azteca to battle Mexico in Round 6 on June 11.
MARSHALL AND EVANS RETURN: Sounders defenders Chad Marshall and Brad Evans each began their careers in Columbus and led Crew SC to the 2008 MLS Cup title. Marshall spent 10 seasons in Columbus and was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2008 and ’09 before joining Seattle in 2014. Evans spent his first two seasons in Columbus before joining the Sounders in 2009 for their inaugural MLS season.
ON THE RISE: The Sounders head to Columbus looking for their third consecutive win. Seattle defeated Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers in back-to-back weeks to double their season win total and move within a point of playoff position.
BMO BEATDOWN: Crew SC lost 5-0 to Toronto FC in Ontario, Canada, last Friday even without an injured Sebastian Giovinco and a suspended Jozy Altdore. Crew SC was losing 3-0 in the 81st minute when Toronto went down to 10 men, but TFC would add two more while shorthanded.
MAGNIFICENT MERAM: Crew SC’s Justin Meram has been one of MLS’ best wingers so far this season, scoring seven goals and adding four assists. He is just one goal away from tying his career high.
OLÉ, OLA: Columbus forward Ola Kamara has picked up right where he left off last year when he scored 16 goals and was a finalist for Newcomer of the Year. The Norwegian has seven goals in 14 games so far in 2017.
