In the third and final meeting between Seattle and Chivas USA this season, Sounders FC will look for the clean sweep.
Sounders FC vs. Chivas USA
September 4, 2013, 7 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: KONG 6/16; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
Chivas USA’s Record: Chivas is ninth in the Western Conference at 5-14-7 and just 1-8-4 on the road.
All-time series: Seattle is 6-2-4 against Chivas in 12 MLS meetings, including a 10-match unbeaten streak (6-0-4). Sounders FC also has two victories in the U.S. Open Cup over Chivas. Seattle won both previous meetings, 2-0 on the road and 2-1 at home.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: F Will Bates (R knee); GK Josh Ford (R patella fracture); M Shalrie Joseph (R knee sprain); M Steve Zakuani (athletic pubalgia). QUESTIONABLE: M Brad Evans (L calf strain); F Obafemi Martins (L ankle sprain); D Dylan Remick (L hamstring strain). Chivas USA – OUT: D Daniel Antunez (L ACL reconstruction); GK Tim Melia (Lumbar discectomy); F Caleb Calvert (R first metatarsal fracture); M Jorge Villafana (L toe fracture); D Jaime Frias (R ankle sprain). QUESTIONABLE: D Steven Purdy (R hip impingement); F Jose Manuel Rivera (R hamstring strain).
Key player: 20-year-old forward Erick Torres has been nothing short of remarkable for Chivas since his first appearance on July 17. After scoring in his first two matches, he has since added braces in his last two matches to give him six goals in seven games.
Notes: Seattle is unbeaten in its last 10 matches at CenturyLink Field at 7-0-3. … Sounders FC is coming off of its best August in club history, going 4-1-0 to leap to third in the Western Conference. … Seattle will play without forwards Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson while the duo plays with the U.S. National Team in World Cup qualifying matches against Costa Rica (Sept. 6) and Mexico (Sept. 10). Both are expected to rejoin the team ahead of the Sept. 13 match against Real Salt Lake. … Defender Leo Gonzalez will sit out the match to serve a red card suspension after being sent off against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. … Chivas last won on the road on March 24, going 0-8-3 since then.
