The Seattle Sounders are visiting Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in their first of two meetings this season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 3-5-4 (13 points, 10th West), RSL: 6-2-4 (22 points, 1st West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: WWDWL, Real Salt Lake: DLWWW
PREVIOUS MEETING: Real Salt Lake defeated the Sounders 3-0 in Utah on July 22, 2023, in the opening match of the 2023 Leagues Cup. Jefferson Savarino, Chicho Arango and Rubio Rubin all scored in the second half for the hosts.
MAKING MOMENTUM: The Sounders are looking to continue their recent form, unbeaten in four in all competitions and highlighted by a gritty 2-1 win at the rival Timbers this past weekend.
RIDING RUIDÍAZ: Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz is off to a torrid start to 2024, tallying a team-high seven goals in fewer than 850 minutes. The Peruvian has three goals in his last three matches, punctuated by a match-winning golazo against Portland.
NOUHOU SUSPENDED: Seattle will be without left fullback Nouhou, who will be suspended because of yellow-card accumulation. The Cameroonian international received his fifth caution of the year against the Timbers.
UNSTOPPABLE ARANGO: RSL forward Chicho Arango has been the best player in MLS not named Lionel Messi this season and is producing MVP-caliber output. The 29-year-old Colombian is tied for first in goals with 11 in just 12 matches, and he’s tied for third with seven assists.
LOCKDOWN DEFENSE: Defense has long been a hallmark of Pablo Mastroeni-coached teams, and this year’s edition of Salt Lake is no different. RSL has conceded just 11 times in 12 matches, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference and second in MLS.
INABILITY TO CLOSE: Despite the stingy defense, however, Real Salt Lake has had issues closing out matches. Following a 2-2 draw with the La Galaxy last weekend, in which RSL blew a 2-0 second-half lead, the Claret-and-Cobalt have now dropped points in four matches this season after scoring first.
