P/I/P Sounders vs SKC 4:15PM 9/15/2024
Sept 13, 2024 20:34:59 GMT
Holden, sounderfan1974, and 2 more like this
Post by airkeeper on Sept 13, 2024 20:34:59 GMT
We face a familiar foe in SKC as we open a three-match home stand against Western Conference opponents. Every. Point. Matters.
Head-to-head, it is damn near even: 30 matches with 13 SEA wins, 5 draws, and 12 SKC wins. Earlier this season, we flew into KC to face a bottom-dwelling team that couldn't fight its way out of a wet paper bag but flew home with nothing but embarrassment to show for it (1-2 defeat). The last time we clashed at home, back on 7 May 2023, SKC took an early lead, and we fell 1-2 despite being even on shots (11). Our only goal was a 66' penalty scored by Lodeiro (one of our mere 3 shots on goal that match).
SKC currently sit at 12th in the West with just 28 points: 45 goals scored (10th most in MLS), 53 conceded (4th most allowed in the league). Earlier this week, it was announced that SKC midfielder Felipe Hernandez's contract with MLS was terminated and that he was banned from the league until January 2026 due to violating the league's gambling policy (again), betting on MLS matches (again). But he had been suspended during the investigation, so SKC are used to not having him. SKC does have a big cup final for the USOC against LAF coming up on the 25th, so, given their place in the table, I would expect them to be using this match more to build momentum, work on fitness, and whatnot in preparation for that huge test. That being said, they will be playing for pride and would love to screw us and climb up the table as much as possible. Matches with SKC are usually feisty and can be really entertaining for that alone.
For us, as I said in the first paragraph, every point matters. While SKC has a leaky defense, Melia is still one of the most capable keepers in the league. Our boys need to create chances and put their shots on target. One of SKC biggest weaknesses is dealing with speed. If we can exploit that, we could open the home stand by celebrating a win a three important points.
I want to see PDLV find his feet. We've seen flashes of his talent earlier in the season, but he is playing a step or gear behind his teammates and hasn't been able to sync up his passing. It is only a matter of time before he fits in, but the sooner the better.
Mauro Rosales will be honored before kickoff.
PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT
Sporting Kansas City
OUT: Jake Davis (red card suspension)
OUT: Joaquin Fernandez (groin)
OUT: Nemanja Radoja (groin)
OUT: Logan Ndenbe (hamstring)
Seattle Sounders
OUT: João Paulo (calf)
OUT: Nouhou (not due to injury)
QUESTIONABLE: Léo Chú (knee)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REF: Drew Fischer*
AR1: Felisha Mariscal
AR2: Eduardo Jeff
4TH: Elton Garcia
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Joshua Patlak
*Fischer has officiated 20 total MLS matches featuring the Sounders and 17 featuring SKC. For Sounders at home, he's been in charge 12 times for a record of 4W-7D-1L (this season, we drew in his one time in charge at Lumen, a goalless affair against LAG). For SKC on the road, in his 6 matches, they have a record of 1-0-5 (this season, he was in the middle for one of their road matches which they lost).
TV/Streaming: FS1 and FREE on AppleTV
Radio/Audio-streaming: El Rey 1360AM and iHeartMedia Seattle
Head-to-head, it is damn near even: 30 matches with 13 SEA wins, 5 draws, and 12 SKC wins. Earlier this season, we flew into KC to face a bottom-dwelling team that couldn't fight its way out of a wet paper bag but flew home with nothing but embarrassment to show for it (1-2 defeat). The last time we clashed at home, back on 7 May 2023, SKC took an early lead, and we fell 1-2 despite being even on shots (11). Our only goal was a 66' penalty scored by Lodeiro (one of our mere 3 shots on goal that match).
SKC currently sit at 12th in the West with just 28 points: 45 goals scored (10th most in MLS), 53 conceded (4th most allowed in the league). Earlier this week, it was announced that SKC midfielder Felipe Hernandez's contract with MLS was terminated and that he was banned from the league until January 2026 due to violating the league's gambling policy (again), betting on MLS matches (again). But he had been suspended during the investigation, so SKC are used to not having him. SKC does have a big cup final for the USOC against LAF coming up on the 25th, so, given their place in the table, I would expect them to be using this match more to build momentum, work on fitness, and whatnot in preparation for that huge test. That being said, they will be playing for pride and would love to screw us and climb up the table as much as possible. Matches with SKC are usually feisty and can be really entertaining for that alone.
For us, as I said in the first paragraph, every point matters. While SKC has a leaky defense, Melia is still one of the most capable keepers in the league. Our boys need to create chances and put their shots on target. One of SKC biggest weaknesses is dealing with speed. If we can exploit that, we could open the home stand by celebrating a win a three important points.
I want to see PDLV find his feet. We've seen flashes of his talent earlier in the season, but he is playing a step or gear behind his teammates and hasn't been able to sync up his passing. It is only a matter of time before he fits in, but the sooner the better.
Mauro Rosales will be honored before kickoff.
PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT
Sporting Kansas City
OUT: Jake Davis (red card suspension)
OUT: Joaquin Fernandez (groin)
OUT: Nemanja Radoja (groin)
OUT: Logan Ndenbe (hamstring)
Seattle Sounders
OUT: João Paulo (calf)
OUT: Nouhou (not due to injury)
QUESTIONABLE: Léo Chú (knee)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REF: Drew Fischer*
AR1: Felisha Mariscal
AR2: Eduardo Jeff
4TH: Elton Garcia
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Joshua Patlak
*Fischer has officiated 20 total MLS matches featuring the Sounders and 17 featuring SKC. For Sounders at home, he's been in charge 12 times for a record of 4W-7D-1L (this season, we drew in his one time in charge at Lumen, a goalless affair against LAG). For SKC on the road, in his 6 matches, they have a record of 1-0-5 (this season, he was in the middle for one of their road matches which they lost).
TV/Streaming: FS1 and FREE on AppleTV
Radio/Audio-streaming: El Rey 1360AM and iHeartMedia Seattle
) TBH, it's been so long since our last home match, I'd almost forgotten about it. Time for the Sounders to grab those 3 points!
