The Seattle Sounders are hosting Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
Matchday Guide
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. PT on Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX Sports and FOX Deportes.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 12-13-5 all-time in the regular season and postseason against RSL, including a 10-3-3 mark at home.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Seattle advanced past FC Dallas in Round One of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with a thrilling 4-3 extra time victory. The Sounders attack fired on all cylinders, with Raúl Ruidíaz scoring from long distance and Jordan Morris recording the club’s first-ever postseason hat trick. Real Salt Lake defeated the Portland Timber’s 2-1 in their Round One match, as Jefferson Savarino scored the match-winning goal in the 87th minute.
JORDAN MORRIS THIS, JORDAN MORRIS THAT: Morris continued his spectacular 2019 season with another match-winning performance on Saturday against FC Dallas. Since returning from Gold Cup in July, the Mercer Island magician has notched nine goals and six assists from 13 starts.
CLUTCH ‘KEEPING: In extra time of the FC Dallas match, Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei produced five spectacular saves to preserve the win. His kick save on Paxton Pomykal in the 119th minute was especially clutch, as it avoided a penalty kick shootout.
PLAYOFF PERUVIAN: From just three Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches, Ruidíaz has posted an eye-popping four goals and two assists.
BUILT FOR THIS: Seattle’s 2019 season was chaotic at times, testing the character and resolve of the team. With a gritty, dramatic win under their belts against FC Dallas, the team is prepared for the rest of the postseason.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE: The Rave Green have not lost a playoff match at CenturyLink Field since 2013.
RIMANDO FAREWELL: Real Salt Lake and former United States Men’s National Team goalkeeper Nick Rimando is retiring at the end of the 2019 campaign, making Wednesday’s playoff match his last trip CenturyLink Field.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: The last time RSL came to the Emerald City, the Sounders secured a 1-0 victory courtesy of Nicolás Lodeiro’s ridiculous fadeaway volley, which earned MLS Goal of the Week honors.
