The Seattle Sounders are hosting Orlando City SC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch for free on Apple TV) in their first and only meeting of the regular season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Albert Rusnák vs. César Araújo
The Sounders have looked lively in attack with Rusnák as the No. 10 in the past couple matches. The Slovakian international has recently returned to his more natural attacking midfielder role and has been decisive in the final third. He’ll try and break down Orlando’s defensive midfield led by 22-year-old Uruguayan Araújo, who has started 16 of 18 matches this season for Head Coach Óscar Pareja.
Nouhou vs. Facundo Torres
Nouhou enjoyed a solid performance on Wednesday at LAFC, and the Sounders will need their strong and speedy left back to step up yet again on Saturday. The Cameroonian international has faced some of the best wingers in the world and held his own, and he’ll have another formidable challenge against the 23-year-old Torres. The Uruguayan international was one of the more coveted prospects out of South America when Orlando City signed him in 2021, and he has five goals and three assists in 15 MLS matches this year.
Yeimar vs. Duncan McGuire
The Sounders have been one of the premier defensive teams this season, conceding just 18 times in 19 matches. Yeimar has been a rock in central defense alongside Jackson Ragen, and the veteran Colombian will need another solid outing on short rest especially with Xavier Arreaga out with a quad strain. Yeimar will look to slow down McGuire, who’s having arguably the best season of any first-year college player. Orlando City selected the former Creighton product with the sixth pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft, and he’s recorded six goals in fewer than 500 minutes across 14 total appearances.
