The Seattle Sounders are taking on the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday, July 4, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo (6 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM). Here are three matchups to watch:
Forward Will Bruin vs. center backs Mike da Fonte and Eric Miller
Last year’s MLS Defender of the Year finalist Axel Sjoberg left Colorado’s U.S. Open Cup match last week with an injury and his status for Tuesday’s game is unclear. If Sjoberg is indeed out, look for Bruin to stretch and exploit the center back pairing of da Fonte and Miller. Bruin has one of the best goals-per-90-minute ratios in MLS this season, and his physical presence should cause the Rapids’ back line fits.
Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso vs. midfielder Micheal Azira
Shkelzen Gashi also left the Rapids’ Open Cup match with an injury, and his status is uncertain as well. Without his offensive presence, Colorado will likely rely on former Sounder Azira, who returns after serving a suspension for yellow-card accumulation on Saturday, in the midfield. Alonso is one of the league’s best at disrupting attacks, and without the playmaking ability of Gashi, expect Alonso to be all over Azira.
Defender Joevin Jones vs. winger Marlon Hairston
Hairston recorded a brace last Saturday in a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo and will be going head-to-head with left back Jones. The Sounders’ defender loves to push forward and stretch opposing teams, so it will be a constant give-and-take battle between Jones and Hairston for field position. If Jones continues to push forward, that should force Hairston to play a little deeper and be more mindful of his offensive runs, lest he leave Jones with ample room to roam the left flank and cross balls into Bruin in the box.
