Brighter days are ahead for the Seattle Sounders — literally and figuratively.
With the weekend showing a forecast of 60+ degree weather, the Sounders being back at Lumen Field, and the players eager to pick up their first regular season win of the year, the team is expected to come out firing against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday afternoon (12:30 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
“Everyone is happy the sun's out, but we're excited to be back on this field and hopefully pick up three points, especially leaving two points on the table last time we played here,” said defender Alex Roldan. “We haven't played in a while since our game got postponed so we're ready for an exciting game.”
The Sounders left their last home match against Austin FC with a shutout, but without any goals to show for. Now, the team is looking to combine the positive of a clean sheet with a long-awaited attacking breakthrough.
“We're close,” said Roldan. “It's one of those things that once you get one, the floodgates can open. We just need someone to step up and be clinical, get the first one and then you'll see the team flourish.”
And with players like Albert Rusnák, Yeimar and Nathan available for Saturday’s match, the Seattle side will have extra reinforcements to heighten the morale and strengthen the depth of the team.
“We have an incredibly talented squad so getting key pieces back is always a boost,” said goalkeeper Andrew Thomas. “There are guys with a lot of talent, a lot of experience and people that the rest of the team kind of bounce off of so it's definitely a point of confidence that we're getting these big experienced players back.”
The pressure is on for the Rave Green to secure a positive result at home this weekend, but through the motivation of the fans at Lumen Field, the team is confident they will be able to achieve that.
“Our success over the past few years has been a combination of talent and hard work on the field but also the support from our fans,” said Roldan. “Obviously we need to go out there and perform, but we challenge them to come out here and support us as always.”
“We need to make this place our fortress.”
