Three matchups to watch when the Seattle Sounders take on Al Ahly SC in the FIFA Club World Cup

The Seattle Sounders are taking on Egyptian side Al Ahly SC in the second round of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday (9 a.m. PT; FOX 13+, FS2, Fox Deportes) in Tangier, Morocco.

Here are three matchups to watch in the club’s first competitive match of the year.

Raúl Ruidíaz vs. Mahmoud Metwaly

Ruidíaz was one of the biggest reasons why the Sounders earned their trip to the FIFA Club World Cup in the first place, scoring twice in the decisive home leg of the Concacaf Champions League Final. The Peruvian Designated Player has been one of the most lethal strikers in North America over the better part of the past decade and will have a chance to leave his mark globally against the most storied team in Africa. Al Ahly is anchored in defense by Metwaly, a 30-year-old center back in his fourth season with the Cairo-based club. Metwaly has spent his entire 10-year career in the Egyptian Premier League and helped pitch a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Auckland City FC in the opening round on Wednesday.

Nicolás Lodeiro vs. Aliou Dieng

One of the club’s most decorated players ever, Lodeiro will have a chance to further etch his name into Sounders lore when he captains the side in its first FIFA Club World Cup appearance. He scored three times in the two-leg Concacaf Champions League Final and will look to pull the strings against a resolute defensive side in Al Ahly. The midfield will be anchored by Dieng, a 6-foot-1 ball-winner who has 13 caps for Mali. Dieng, 25, is in his fourth season with Al Ahly after joining from Algerian side MC Algiers.

Yeimar vs. Mohamed Sherif

The Sounders’ No. 1 priority defensively on Saturday will be keeping the talented Sherif off the score sheet. The 26-year-old Egyptian international has 35 goals in 73 career matches with Al Ahly, including a goal in the opening round win over Auckland City. The onus will likely fall to Yeimar, Seattle’s hulking Colombian center back, to organize his back line and keep Sherif in check. If the Sounders can keep him quiet, a date with Real Madrid in the semifinal could very well be within reach.