Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids
MLS Regular Season
Sunday, October 5; 12 pm PT; Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
TV/Radio: JOEtv (KZJO-Ch 22/Cable 10); KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
Over the final four matches of the regular season, Sounders FC has the opportunity to claim the Supporters’ Shield with the best record in MLS. However, the club knows that it can’t take any match for granted in its quest for a second trophy in the 2014 season after winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last month, and Sunday’s match against the Colorado Rapids is next in line on that path.
“We’ve got to win. Three points are crucial,” defender DeAndre Yedlin said. “We have the same mindset we’ve always had. Just to win.”
Seattle got back in the win column last week with a 4-2 home victory over Chivas USA after consecutive road defeats against the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas. With those two clubs fighting for playoff positioning, they are bounds ahead of the Rapids, who started off the season strong but have since fallen to the point of nearing elimination from postseason contention.
Colorado was 7-5-4 on June 28 and looked bound for a second consecutive playoff berth, but has since gone just 1-9-4 and winless in its last 10 (0-8-2).
Despite those struggles in Commerce City, Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid knows that the Rapids are a dangerous team behind the young duo of Dillon Powers and Deshorn Brown, along with veteran attacker Vicente Sanchez.
“It’s a little bit similar to Chivas, but different. They are playing for their coach. They’ve had some injuries and Sanchez is back out there now. He’s an important player for their team,” Schmid said. “They’re a good team. When you watch most of their games, they’re in the game through 70-75 minutes and often longer than that. They’re a very competitive team.”
While Colorado is getting players back off the training table and onto the field, including center back Shane O’Neill, the status of Seattle regular starters Zach Scott, Leo Gonzalez and Gonzalo Pineda remains unclear.
All three missed Saturday’s win over Chivas. Schmid instead turned to Jalil Anibaba and Brad Evans on defense, and was particularly impressed with the play of Micheal Azira in place of Pineda in midfield. Regardless of the lineup, Schmid’s objective is the same.
“We’re looking to go in and play well,” Schmid said. “It’s away from home which makes it a little more difficult. But we just need to go in there and play well and take advantage of our opportunities when they present themselves.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 pm PT with television coverage on JOEtv (KZJO-Ch 22/Cable 10).
