SOUNDERS 3, RAPIDS 0: As if the Sounders hadn’t done enough to impress in the first 40 minutes, João Paulo put the capper on with a goal for the ages. Taking the ball about 20 yards deep in his own end, João Paulo pushed forward, fought off a foul, nutmegged a defender and then basically willed the ball into the goal through two more defenders and goalkeeper Clint Irwin. It was a run worthy of Marshawn Lynch.

SOUNDERS 2, RAPIDS 0: The Sounders continued their blazing start, grabbing a second goal in the 22nd minute. This one came off the foot of Jimmy Medranda, but his was simply the final touch of a beautiful counterattack started by Will Bruin. He doesn’t even get an assist, though, but João Paulo did have a wonderful touch to set it up.

SOUNDERS 1, RAPIDS 0: Cristian Roldan wasted no time scoring in his fourth straight game, putting away a Will Bruin feed in the 2nd minute. It was also the fastest goal the Sounders have scored this season.

One of the busiest stretches in team history will come to an end on Sunday when the Seattle Sounders host the Colorado Rapids, their seventh match in 23 days. The Sounders have so far gone 4-2-0 in competitive matches, including two in Leagues Cup and four others against Western Conference opponents.

The Sounders’ last four matches were all on the road and they’re coming into this one riding a bit of a high. Their last two matches were arguably two of their best performances of the season, a 2-1 win over second-place Sporting KC and a comprehensive 3-1 win over the then-surging San Jose Earthquakes.

But the Rapids have quietly been one of the league’s best teams this year and trail the Sounders by just three points. Among their 13 wins are six on the road, already tied for the most in franchise history.

Notes

• The Sounders have a 14-2-1 record in MLS play against the Rapids at Lumen Field, but the last time they visited was March 9, 2019. The Rapids have gone 2-0-1 in their last three overall meetings, all of which were played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
• The Rapids’ last win in Seattle was on May 21, 2016. The Sounders have won their last four meetings at Lumen Field by a cumulative score of 14-1, including a 2-1 win in the 2016 Western Conference finals.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle

QUESTIONABLE: Raúl Ruidíaz (L hamstring pain); Nicolas Benezet (left hip flexor strain);

OUT: Jordan Morris (ACL injury); Jordy Delem (right ACL tear); Nico Lodeiro (right knee surgery); Brad Smith (health and safety protocol)

Colorado

OUT: Collen Warner (yellow card accumulation)

SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: SEA: Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Raul Ruidiaz ... COL: Lalas Abubakar

Officials

REFEREE: Chris Penso; AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Joseph Dickerson; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Rene Parra

How to Watch

Match date/time: Sunday, 7 PM

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle

Online Streaming: Amazon Prime (affiliate link, in-market), ESPN+ (affiliate link, out of market),

Local English TV: Fox13+ (Costigan, Keller, Zakuani)

Local Radio: 1090 KJR-AM Seattle (Costigan, Keller, Zakuani)

Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

International TV:

Brazil: DAZN (Brazil)
China: China Sports Media
Czech Republic & Slovakia: Nova Sport (Czech Republic)
Georgia: Silk Sport
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain: DAZN (Europe)
India: Eurosport
Israel: Charlton
Latin America (ex. Brazil): ESPN Latin America
Middle East & North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports
Netherlands: ESPN Netherlands
Southeast Asia & Oceania: beIN Sports
Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa
Sweden: C-More
Taiwan: Sportcast
United Kingdom & Ireland: Free Sports

Lineups

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders vs. Rapids; watch with us

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