P/I/P Sounders @ CLB 4:30PM 9/7/2024
Sept 6, 2024 20:19:41 GMT
Holden, sounderfan1974, and 1 more like this
Post by airkeeper on Sept 6, 2024 20:19:41 GMT
We fly eastward to visit Columbus to play a match that was rescheduled from June 1 because of CLB's CONCACAF Champion's Cup Final. Since this is an international window, maybe that will benefit us since they will be without a few crucial starters, including star striker Cucho. That said, Diego Rossi has been in great form with 10 goals and 11 assists thus far. Another talking point for CLB would be their goalkeeper--their top three choices will be unavailable due to injury or call up, so we will likely see Abraham Romero, a backup (traded from LAF this summer) who has never played a league match; with the call ups and player suspension on defense and a newish keeper making his MLS debut, we really need to hit hard in the attack.
Our hosts will be looking to clinch their spot in the playoffs this weekend; a win would guarantee them a spot. CLB are 3rd in the East (4th in the Supporters' Shield) with a 7W-4D-1L record at home. They are tied for 4th most goals this season (52) but have conceded the fewest in the league (just 24), and their goal difference is best in the league at +28. After the glaring disappointment at SCUM last week, we dropped down in 8th in the West (12th in SS) with a 5W-2D-7L record on the road. We hare tied for 9th fewest goals scored (37) but 4th fewest conceded (32). All-time, the head-to-head record gives us a slight edge: SEA 7 wins, 5 draws, CLB 5 wins. The last time we played in CLB was way back on 21 August 2021, and we came out on top (2-1) after late LATE goals from Xavier Arreaga (88') and Will Bruin (89').
The big questions heading into the match:
What Sounders team is gonna show up? Will it be the fiesty team that wears down the opposition with high pressure and rapid movement, or will it be the uninspired team that is listless and allows itself to get pushed back on its heels for 90 minutes? Can someone step up and get the offense going? Can our backline hold off the CLB attack (potent even without Cucho)? Can we beat a playoff team? Do we have some of that 2021 magic to steal a victory?
PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT
Columbus Crew
OUT: Evan Bush (arm)
OUT: Malte Amundsen (yellow card accumulation)
OUT: Cucho Hernández (international duty)
OUT: Mohamed Farsi (international duty)
OUT: Steven Moreira (international duty)
OUT: Nicholas Hagen (international duty)
OUT: Jacen Russell-Rowe (international duty)
OUT: Patrick Schulte (international duty)
Seattle Sounders
OUT: Stefan Frei (head)
OUT: João Paulo (calf)
OUT: Raúl Ruidíaz (knee)
OUT: Nouhou (international duty)
OUT: Obed Vargas (international duty)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REF: Rosendo Mendoza*
AR1: Cory Richardson
AR2: Kevin Lock
4TH: Marcos DeOliveira
VAR: Daniel Radford
AVAR: Tom Supple
*Mendoza has been the man in the middle nine previous matches featuring SEA (on the road, three matches--all losses) and five featuring CLB (at home, one match--a draw).
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on AppleTV
Our hosts will be looking to clinch their spot in the playoffs this weekend; a win would guarantee them a spot. CLB are 3rd in the East (4th in the Supporters' Shield) with a 7W-4D-1L record at home. They are tied for 4th most goals this season (52) but have conceded the fewest in the league (just 24), and their goal difference is best in the league at +28. After the glaring disappointment at SCUM last week, we dropped down in 8th in the West (12th in SS) with a 5W-2D-7L record on the road. We hare tied for 9th fewest goals scored (37) but 4th fewest conceded (32). All-time, the head-to-head record gives us a slight edge: SEA 7 wins, 5 draws, CLB 5 wins. The last time we played in CLB was way back on 21 August 2021, and we came out on top (2-1) after late LATE goals from Xavier Arreaga (88') and Will Bruin (89').
The big questions heading into the match:
What Sounders team is gonna show up? Will it be the fiesty team that wears down the opposition with high pressure and rapid movement, or will it be the uninspired team that is listless and allows itself to get pushed back on its heels for 90 minutes? Can someone step up and get the offense going? Can our backline hold off the CLB attack (potent even without Cucho)? Can we beat a playoff team? Do we have some of that 2021 magic to steal a victory?
PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT
Columbus Crew
OUT: Evan Bush (arm)
OUT: Malte Amundsen (yellow card accumulation)
OUT: Cucho Hernández (international duty)
OUT: Mohamed Farsi (international duty)
OUT: Steven Moreira (international duty)
OUT: Nicholas Hagen (international duty)
OUT: Jacen Russell-Rowe (international duty)
OUT: Patrick Schulte (international duty)
Seattle Sounders
OUT: Stefan Frei (head)
OUT: João Paulo (calf)
OUT: Raúl Ruidíaz (knee)
OUT: Nouhou (international duty)
OUT: Obed Vargas (international duty)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REF: Rosendo Mendoza*
AR1: Cory Richardson
AR2: Kevin Lock
4TH: Marcos DeOliveira
VAR: Daniel Radford
AVAR: Tom Supple
*Mendoza has been the man in the middle nine previous matches featuring SEA (on the road, three matches--all losses) and five featuring CLB (at home, one match--a draw).
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on AppleTV
