FULL-TIME: For the first time since 2011, the Sounders lost to D.C. United. Although they started well enough and probably should have taken a 1-0 lead, they conceded first on a Lucas Rodriguez goal in the 14th minute. Frederic Brillant added a goal off a free kick in the 54th minute to give the match its final 2-0 scoreline. Thanks to results elsewhere, the Sounders remain second in the Western Conference but the teams chasing them for that spot have a game in hand.

D.C. UNITED 2, SOUNDERS 0: Following a sloppy foul by Kelvin Leerdam, the Sounders conceded on the ensuing free kick. Wayne Rooney put a low ball through the box that went just under the feet of a couple Sounders before Frederic Brillant cut in front of Jordy Delem to redirect the ball into the goal.

D.C UNITED 1, SOUNDERS 0: After both teams traded shots off the crossbar, D.C. broke through first on a goal by Lucas Rodriguez in the 14th minute. The Sounders had a couple chances to clear the ball by Gustav Svensson and then Cristian Roldan, but a bad bounce left the ball at Rodriguez’s feet. He was able to beat Stefan Frei with a low shot.

LINEUP: Nicolas Lodeiro’s injury has forced Brian Schmetzer to shuffle his lineup for today’s match against D.C. United. Perhaps the most notable change is the return of Victor Rodriguez to the starting lineup for the first time since July 6. He slots into Lodeiro’s normal No. 10 spot. Other changes include Gustav Svensson dropping to centerback to replace the suspended Xavier Arreaga, Cristian Roldan moving to defensive midfield and Harry Shipp entering the starting lineup as a right midfielder.

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The Seattle Sounders hit the road for two games and their first stop is at Audi Field. This will be the first time the Sounders have played at the new stadium and will be their only regular season game against D.C. United this season.

D.C. United currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-10-9 (45 points in 31 games played; 1.45 ppg) and the Sounders remain in second place in the Western Conference with a record of 14-9-8 (50 points in 31 games played; 1.61 ppg).

Last time out, the Sounders drew 0-0 against FC Dallas at home and D.C. United won 1-0 on the road at Portland.

The Sounders are 9-2-2 all-time against D.C. United, with a 4-1-1 away record.

Tale of the Tape

Seattle

Last Five: D-W-L-W-W

Leading Goal Scorer: Raul Ruidiaz, 11 goals

Assist Leader: Nicolas Lodeiro, 12 assists

D.C. United

Last Five: W-W-L-L-L

Leading Goal Scorer: Wayne Rooney, 11 goals

Assist Leader: Rooney, seven assists

Injury Report, Suspensions and International Duty

D.C. United

Out: D - Oniel Fisher (knee surgery); D - Jalen Robinson (knee injury)

Questionable: Ola Kamara (hamstring)

Suspensions: n/a

International Duty: n/a

Suspended on next yellow: Paul Arriola, Russell Canouse, Felipe Martins, Wayne Rooney

Seattle

Out: Will Bruin (torn ACL), Jonathan Campbell (calf strain)

Questionable: n/a

Suspensions: Roman Torres (PEDs)

International Duty: n/a

Suspended on next yellow: Nouhou

Match Officials

REFEREE: Alan Kelly; AR1: Logan Brown; AR2: Eric Weisbrod; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Matthew Nelson

Keys to the Game:

• Score first: D.C. United are just 1-9-5 when conceding the first goal and are just 1-10-9 when going into halftime either tied or trailing. On the flip side, D.C. are 11-0-0 when they lead at halftime and 11-1-0 when they score first.
• Feed Morris: There might not be a more important player to the Sounders’ fortunes than Jordan Morris right now. He’s got five goals and five assists in his last seven starts, with the Sounders going 4-1-2 in those matches. Get him the ball.
• Get Rodriguez going: Chances are Victor Rodriguez is going to get a longer run-out than he has in nearly three months. When he starts the Sounders are 8-2-2. If they can get him back in the form he was in at the start of the year, opponents could be in trouble.

How to Watch

Date/Time: Sunday, September 22 @ 5:00 PM PT

Location: Audi Field — Washington, D.C.

TV: JOEtv

Online Streaming: YouTube TV, ESPN+ (affiliate link, out of market), Fubo TV (affiliate link)

Radio: 950 KJR AM (English), El Rey 1360AM (Spanish)

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Lineups

Sounders

DC United