The Seattle Sounders are hosting the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship on Tuesday (7 p.m. PT; FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM) in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is Seattle’s Starting XI:
FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
GK: Frei (24)
RB: Mears (4)
CB: Torres (29)
CB: Marshall (14)
LB: Jones (33)
CM: Alonso (6) – Captain
CM: Roldan (7)
RM: Lodeiro (10)
AM: Friberg (8)
LM: Morris (13)
FW: Valdez (16)
SUBSTITUTES:
GK: Miller (1)
DEF: Scott (20)
DEF: Fisher (91)
MF: Evans (3)
MF: Ivanschitz (23)
MF: Fernandez (21)
FW: Gomez (9)
NOTES:
- Forward Jordan Morris starts after exiting at halftime of the Sounders’ second leg against FC Dallas on Nov. 6. Morris strained his hamstring and had been working toward full health this past week. Morris begins in the same left wing position in which Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer employed him during the series with Dallas.
- Andreas Ivanschitz is back in the 18-man roster after missing the previous five matches with a sprained knee.
- Roman Torres starts at center back after missing the entire FC Dallas series. He was available off the bench in the second leg, but did not play. He started for Panama last week during the FIFA international break and logged the full 90 minutes in a scoreless draw with Mexico.
- Nelson Valdez starts at forward for the third straight match. He has two goals in Seattle’s three playoff games so far including the game-winner against Sporting Kansas City in the Knockout Round.
