It’s good for Sounders soccer to be back, even with a reduced roster. Hosting the first match after the break gives Brian Schmetzer’s side a boost from a crowd eager to get back to winning ways and ready to host nine of the final fifteen games in 2017. Seattle Sounders FC are currently below the red line, but are faring much better than D.C. United, who are leading the race for the Wooden Spoon.
With OG United’s absences and injuries the Sounders should have an advantage in wide play. This will be especially true because Aaron Kovar is expected to start and one of the top two right backs will play (Brad Evans is fit, Kelvin Leerdam could be waiting on paperwork). Without Bill Hamid in goal, the United defense is even worse than normal. They have given up two goals a game on a staggering 17 shots allowed per road game.
Seattle’s midfield should be able to dominate the game, because each player replacing an absence is more defensive than the normal starter, except for the case of Svensson-for-Alonso.
Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension
Sounders: Clint Dempsey, Oniel Fisher and Jordan Morris are all at the Gold Cup. Osvaldo Alonso is out. Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, Nouhou and Henry Wingo are questionable.
United: Bill Hamid is also at the Gold Cup. Patrick Mullins is out. Rob Vincent and Nick DeLeon are questionable.
Marcelo Sarvas will be suspended upon his next yellow card. Tony Alfaro, Sean Franklin, Lamar Neagle, and Lloyd Sam are two yellows from accumulation suspension.
Kevin Stott is the center referee.
nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in altum
you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep
this is our Sound
Keys to the Game:
- Ride the noise
- Use width in layers
- Shoot early, shoot often
- Contest every yard
How to Watch
Match date/time: 7:30 PM Pacific, July 19, 2017
Venue: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Online Streaming: MLS Live (subject to blackouts)
Local TV: Q13 FOX (Johnson, Keller, Zakuani)
Local Radio: KIRO 97.3 FM (Harvey, Fewing)
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda)
International TV
No international TV
Lineups
Here's your @SoundersFC Starting XI vs @DCUnited pres. by @Delta!
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 20, 2017
Tune to Q13 FOX at 7:30 for #SEAvDC. pic.twitter.com/50TI7wGzgT
How I'm watching
Outfit: This is our Sound, Washington map
Scarf: History-Heritage-Tradition
Where: On a laptop with the waves of the Atlantic crashing
This is your Sounder at Heart gamethread; it is your home for live analysis of gameday action.