The Seattle Sounders will host FC Dallas in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday (6:30 p.m. PT; FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM). Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the match.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be telecast on FS1. You can find a full list of Sounders FC Pub Partners here.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
LEG TWO: The second leg of the home-and-home series will be in Frisco, Texas, on Sunday Nov. 6. Kickoff time is TBD.
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 10-5-5 all time vs. FC Dallas, including a 7-3-1 mark at home. This will be their fifth overall meeting in the postseason and third series.
LAST MEETING: FC Dallas scored twice in the final 11 minutes on Oct. 16 in Frisco, Texas to secure a 2-1 comeback win over the Sounders. Maximiliano Urruti and Carlos Ruiz scored for FC Dallas, while Nicolas Lodeiro found the back of the net on a free kick for Seattle.
GRUDGE SERIES: The Sounders and FC Dallas meet in the Western Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive season. Seattle advanced in 2014 on away goals after a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas and a scoreless draw at home. FC Dallas avenged that loss last season on penalty kicks after they tied 3-3 on aggregate and each had an away goal.
MISSING MAURO: FC Dallas playmaking midfielder Mauro Diaz has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles. Diaz, who assisted on Ruiz’s game-winning goal, was injured late in the match against the Sounders on Oct. 16.
TORRES TROUBLE?: Sounders center back Roman Torres is a game-time decision for the match on Sunday as he deals with a tight hamstring. The stalwart defender has made a significant impact shoring up Seattle’s back line since his return to game action in late August.
TREBLE BREWING: FC Dallas could become the first team in MLS history to win the domestic treble. FCD has already won the Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup, and it can complete its quest with an MLS Cup on Dec. 10.
BALANCED ATTACK: FC Dallas has five players who have scored at least five goals this season. Urruti and Michael Barrios lead the way with nine apiece, while Tesho Akindele (six), Diaz (five) and the recently transferred Fabian Castillo (five) round out the rest.
FORMIDABLE FORM: Over their last eight matches of the season, FC Dallas (4-1-3) and the Sounders (5-1-2) have each lost just once. Seattle made it 6-1-2 with its win over Sporting Kansas City on Thursday in the Western Conference Knockout Round.
