The Seattle Sounders are visiting the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday (6 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) in their third and final meeting of the regular season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Nicolas Benezet vs. Lalas Abubakar
Although Benezet won’t be starting at the No. 9 — Will Bruin will presumably line up there — he’s so skilled at getting into pockets of space between center backs and defensive midfielders. The former Rapids man will need to try and pull Abubakar out of position with his movement to create more space for Bruin as well as Cristian Roldan running into the channels.
Josh Atencio vs. Younes Namli
The Sounders have relied on Atencio this season in a big way, and the 19-year-old Homegrown has delivered on Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s faith, logging over 1,300 minutes in central midfield. He could go head-to-head with fellow Homegrown in Colorado’s Cole Bassett, but where he’ll really test his mettle is against Designated Player Younes Namli. The 27-year-old Dane returned recently from ankle surgery and recorded his first goal of the season last weekend. How well Atencio & Co. can limit Namli’s impact will be a key factor on Wednesday.
Jimmy Medranda vs. Michael Barrios
Medranda scored his fourth goal of the season last weekend and has found a career resurgence in Seattle. He’ll match up with pacey winger Barrios, who scored against Seattle the last time these two teams met in Colorado. The former FC Dallas attacker is having a career bounce back of his own, and whomever can get control of that left flank should have a lot to say in the final outcome.
