Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids
MLS Regular Season
Saturday, August 30; 1 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: Q13 FOX; THIS-TV (KOMO2); KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
Eight times in the last six seasons, Sounders FC has met the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field and seven times Seattle has emerged victors. In the only other meeting, Seattle finished with a 1-1 draw, keeping its unbeaten run at home against the Rapids intact.
On Saturday, Sounders FC will look to extend that streak to nine matches when it faces a reeling Colorado team that has lost five straight.
“It just seems like a game that suits us,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “Sometimes you just match up with teams a little better than you do with some other teams. Hopefully nothing’s going to change in this game.”
In the eight matches that Seattle and Colorado have played at CenturyLink Field, including a playoff victory for Sounders FC last season, the Sounders have outscored the Rapids 19-7 and have only allowed more than one goal on one occasion in a 4-3 victory in 2011.
This season, Colorado’s defense has allowed 15 goals in the last five matches and that leaky defense leaves the Seattle attack salivating at the opportunities that lie ahead. The Sounders are third in MLS with 43 goals through 24 matches, and exploded for four goals on Sunday against the Portland Timbers for a league-best 14th win of the season.
With club captain Drew Moor out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear, that defense loses a key component, but also becomes more unpredictable for Seattle’s preparation.
“Every team is difficult. They’re fighting for a place in the playoffs so they bring that ambition with them and that intensity into their game. With the injuries that they’ve had, I know that’s disappointing for them, but it also makes it a little difficult to prepare. What new wrinkles is he going to throw in? You’re not quite sure what lineup they’re going to throw at you,” Schmid said. “We have to be prepared for a number of different options. Hopefully with our experienced forwards we will be able to gain an edge on that part of the field.”
Regardless of Colorado’s form and who the Rapids have available, Sounders FC aims to keep the focus on what’s going on within its own club as it looks to keep its home field advantage intact.
“It’s another opportunity at home and no matter who the opponent is, at this point we’ve got to start picking up points if we want to make a run at the Supporters’ Shield,” said midfielder and captain Brad Evans.
Kickoff in Saturday’s match is scheduled for 1 pm PT, with local television coverage on Q13 FOX.
