The Seattle Sounders are hosting Atlanta United at Lumen Field on Sunday (1:30 p.m.; PT; FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS) in their first Eastern Conference match of the season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Raúl Ruidíaz vs. Miles Robinson
You can bet Ruidíaz will be savoring this battle. Robinson was on the receiving end of a moment of magic from the Peruvian two years ago when these two clubs last met. Ruidíaz is in great form to start the season — he’s second in MLS in goals scored with five — and will be eager to add to his tally against the young American center back.
Cristian Roldan vs. Santiago Sosa
Roldan has been playing at a Best XI level to start the season and has been a main driver of the Sounders’ success. Playing in a more advanced attacking role in the absence of Nicolás Lodeiro, Roldan has been excellent at dragging defenders out of position and finding gaps to exploit. Sosa, who is in his first season in Atlanta after signing from Argentina giants River Plate, will have a tall task in keeping Roldan in front of him.
Sounders center backs vs. Josef Martínez
When healthy, Martínez is the most lethal attacker in MLS. He has 78 goals in 89 career matches, but he’s still getting back to full fitness after recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last year. He went 90 minutes in Atlanta’s 1-0 win over CF Montreal last weekend, and it’ll take an effort from the Sounders’ entire three-man center back crew to keep Martínez off the score sheet. Seattle has still yet to concede from open play and will have its toughest test of the season to date on Sunday.
