The Seattle Sounders are taking on Austin FC (1:55 p.m. PT; FS1, TUDN, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM) on Sunday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Here are three matchups to watch:
Cristian Roldan vs. Daniel Pereira
So much of the Sounders’ success offensively so far this year has come from the outstanding play of Roldan on the right wing. Heading to Texas on short rest after a tense battle in Mexico in Concacaf Champions League on Thursday, Roldan will need to flash his trademark engine and make Pereira work defensively. The 21-year-old Venezuelan operates in defensive midfield next to veteran Alex Ring, so look for Roldan to be clever with his runs to try and drag Pereira out of position and open up space for both himself and runners filling in behind.
João Paulo vs. Sebastián Driussi
JP has been tremendous for Seattle in 2022, picking up where he left off after an MLS MVP finalist campaign last year. His main responsibility defensively will be slowing down Driussi, a talented Argentine attacker who has torn it up in his opening three matches to the tune of three goals and two assists. Austin set an MLS record by scoring 10 goals in its opening two games, and Driussi played an integral part in that.
Jackson Ragen vs. Maxi Urruti
With starting center back Yeimar out with a high ankle sprain, Ragen was thrown into the deep end on Thursday by starting next to Xavier Arreaga in a high-stakes CCL match in Mexico. The rookie performed admirably and did not look out of place at all on the Sounders’ back line that held León to just a consolation goal late in the game. He’ll have another challenge on Sunday against the veteran Urruti, who has scored 60 goals in his MLS career and has started each of the team’s first three matches as a No. 9 for Head Coach Josh Wolff.
