Sounders FC starts a stretch of three straight home matches against the red hot Colorado Rapids on Saturday at CenturyLink Field in the second of three meetings between the Western Conference foes.
Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids
July 20, 2013, 1 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: KONG 6/16; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; KOMO2 (Spanish); La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
Colorado’s Record: The Rapids are 8-7-6 (30 points) and sixth in the Western Conference, six points ahead of Sounders FC, who have played four fewer matches.
All-time series: Sounders FC has won seven straight matches against Colorado, tying the MLS record for consecutive wins against one opponent. The all-time series sits at 8-1-1 and Seattle has won all five matches at CenturyLink Field, outscoring them 12-7 in those matches. Sounders FC won their previous meeting 1-0 on April 20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and will meet for the third and final time in the 2013 regular season on October 5 in Commerce City, Colorado.
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 Andy Rose (R hamstring strain); M Philip Lund (R plantar fasciitis); M Shalrie Joseph (R calf strain). QUESTIONABLE: D Djimi Traore (L hamstring strain); M Brad Evans (L rib contusion). Rapids – OUT: D Diego Calderon (R knee surgery). QUESTIONABLE: D Kory Kindle (L ankle sprain); M Martin Rivero (L quad strain).
Key player: With the sixth pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, the Rapids selected Deshorn Brown. He quickly replaced another speedy Jamaican, Omar Cummings, and leads Colorado with five goals and four assists in 19 appearances.
Notes: Sounders FC will be using two goalkeepers who weren’t on their roster two weeks ago. Andrew Weber is with the team on loan from Phoenix FC of the USL while Doug Herrick is an MLS pool goalkeeper. … Seattle has won four straight matches at CenturyLink Field, matching a club record. … Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson is away with the U.S. National Team playing in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday against El Salvador. … Colorado is on a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1) after posting a six-match unbeaten streak in May and June (3-0-3). … Former Sounders FC midfielder Nathan Sturgis has four goals this season for Colorado after scoring just one goal in 80 MLS matches prior to this season.
