After all of the MLS action on Saturday, Sounders FC has a chance to climb the Western Conference standings on Sunday against Chivas USA at CenturyLink Field.
Sounders FC vs. Chivas USA
July 28, 2013, 8 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: KONG 6/16; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; Univision Deportes Network (Spanish); La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
Chivas USA’s Record: The Rojiblancos are at the bottom of the Western Conference at 4-11-5 (17 points), but are 1-1-3 in their last five matches.
All-time Series: Sounders FC is unbeaten in the last nine matches against Chivas USA. After losing their first two meetings in 2009, Seattle has gone 5-0-4 for an overall record of 5-2-4. Including two US Open Cup matches, Seattle's record is 7-2-4.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: GK Michael Gspurning (L forearm sprain); GK Josh Ford (R patella fracture); M Steve Zakuani (athletic pubalgia); M Alex Caskey (R ankle impingement); GK Marcus Hahnemann (R hamstring strain); M Philip Lund (R plantar fasciitis); M Shalrie Joseph (R calf strain). QUESTIONABLE: D Djimi Traore (L hamstring strain); M Andy Rose (R hamstring strain). Chivas USA – OUT: D Daniel Antunez (L ACL reconstruction); GK Time Melia (Lumbar discectomy); F Caleb Calvert (R foot contusion); D Bobby Burling (concussion-like symptoms). QUESTIONABLE: M Oswaldo Minda (L hamstring irritation), F Jose Correa (R quad irritation).
Key player: Sunday’s match will the 100th MLS match for Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. While noted for his shot-stopping skills despite allowing among the most goals against in the league, he has really struggled against Seattle. Kennedy has an 0-4-2 mark all-time against Seattle and his 2.33 goals allowed against Sounders FC is nearly a goal per game higher than his average against the rest of the league, 1.34.
Notes: Seattle is unbeaten in their last seven matches at CenturyLink Field, going 4-0-3 in that stretch. … Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson is away with the U.S. National Team playing in the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday against Panama. … Chivas USA will play without midfielder Eric Avila, who is suspended for his red card against Toronto last week. … Sounders FC will be using two goalkeepers who weren’t on their roster last month. Andrew Weber is with the team on loan from Phoenix FC of the USL while Doug Herrick is an MLS pool goalkeeper. … In addition to center back Carlos Bocanegra, Chivas USA has added three other players this month. Homegrown forward Caleb Calvert was joined in the last two weeks by forward Erick Torres and defender Jaime Frias on loan from Chivas Guadlajara. Both Torres and Frias are 20 years old. … New Chivas coach Jose Luis Real is 1-3-3. His first match on the bench was a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 19, though he is also credited for the loss to Sounders FC on June 1 because it was after he was named to the position. … Sounders FC is an unbeaten 6-0-2 in Sunday home matches. This is Seattle's first Sunday home match of the 2013 season.
