The Seattle Sounders are hosting Minnesota United on Saturday (2 p.m. PT; JOEtv, KUNS, Prime Video, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS). Here are three matchups to watch:
Raúl RuidÃaz vs. Michael Boxall
RuidÃaz came frustratingly close to adding to his goalscoring mark in a loss to the Portland Timbers before the international break. After a spell away with the Peruvian national team for FIFA World Cup Qualifying, the MLS Golden Boot leader will be eager to get back on the score sheet against a Loons side who he recorded a brace against in the season-opener.
Nicolás Lodeiro vs. Osvaldo Alonso
Lodeiro will likely get another crack at his friend and former Sounders captain Alonso, as the duo face off for midfield supremacy on Saturday. Loons star playmaker Emanuel Reynoso is a question mark while battling a thigh injury, and if he’s unable to go, Alonso will really need to make Lodeiro’s life difficult and clog the middle of the park for a Minnesota team that has lost all five of its all-time meetings in Seattle (regular season and postseason).
Alex Roldan vs. Hassani Dotson
The Sounders looked the most dangerous against the Timbers when Roldan was bombing forward down the right flank and either combining with his brother Cristian on overlaps or whipping in balls to the box. Roldan will be returning from FIFA World Cup Qualifying duty as well with El Salvador, and he’ll have a challenge on his hands in Dotson, the Federal Way native making a homecoming and looking to steal the show (and points).
