The Seattle Sounders will host Orlando City SC on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) in their first and only meeting of the 2017 regular season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Center back Chad Marshall vs. forward Carlos Rivas
The towering Sounders center defender Marshall usually loves playing against big, strong strikers with whom he can battle physically, but with imposing target forward Cyle Larin out, Marshall will need to turn his attention to the smaller and quicker Rivas. The 5-foot-8 Colombian has three goals and five assists this season, including a goal in Orlando’s 3-3 draw against the Montreal Impact last week. Stopping Rivas will go a long way in preventing an Orlando side that has only scored four goals in six away matches from earning any points.
Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso vs. midfielder Kaka
This one might come with an asterisk because the 35-year-old Kaka just went the full 90 minutes on Saturday and now has to travel one of the farthest distances in MLS for an away match on turf. Should Kaka play in some capacity, though, this matchup will be a doozy. The Brazilian legend has three goals and two assists in nine games this year after struggling with a hamstring injury, but he is a constant threat to break down opposing defenses and slip in attackers behind. Alonso will need to be his usual ball-winning self defensively and try and prevent Kaka from receiving passes in the first place.
Midfielder Clint Dempsey vs. defender Jonathan Spector
A great battle is in store between former United States national teammates and English Premier League opponents Dempsey and Spector. The Sounders attacking midfielder has four goals and an assist this year and excels in drawing the attention of center backs and forcing them forward, which opens space in behind for runs from Jordan Morris and the like. On Saturday, Dempsey deftly played in Cristian Roldan for Seattle’s opening goal against New York City FC. Spector, meanwhile, has been one of MLS’ best defensive signings this past offseason, helping shore up an Orlando City defense in need of center back help. He also scored his first goal of the season last week against the Montreal Impact, rising for a header in the 94th minute that equalized in the game’s final moments and secured a home point.
