UPDATE | Wednesday’s match in Colorado has been postponed due to inclement weather and is rescheduled for Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. PT.
The Seattle Sounders visit the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday for their second and final meeting of the 2019 regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 4-0-1 (13 points, 2nd West), Rapids: 0-4-2 (2 points, 10th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WDWWW, Colorado: LLLDL
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 18-5-2 all-time against the Rapids, including a 7-3-1 mark on the road.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle hosted Colorado in Week 2 of the 2019 MLS season, racing out to a 2-0 victory at CenturyLink Field. Kelvin Leerdam opened the scoring in the 5th minute, which was his second tally in two matches, and Raúl Ruidíaz doubled the advantage with a powerful strike just three minutes later. Stefan Frei recorded three saves as the Sounders earned their first shutout of the season.
RECORD START: With 13 points through five matches, the Rave Green are off to their best start in franchise history. Along with Toronto FC, LAFC and Houston Dynamo, Seattle is one of just four remaining unbeaten teams.
SOLID AS A ROCK: With just three goals against all season, the Sounders have conceded the fewest goals in MLS.
STEF THE SHOT-STOPPER: Speaking of a stout defense, Frei leads all MLS goalkeepers with 22 saves to his name. Colorado is also where he made last year’s MLS Save of the Year.
SQUAD ROTATION: It’s possible that Head Coach Brian Schmetzer will make a few alterations to the Starting XI on Wednesday, as it will be the second of three matches in eight days. Ten First Team players received significant minutes for the Tacoma Defiance last week, increasing their match fitness ahead of this spell of fixture congestion.
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: Nicolás Lodeiro’s fadeaway volley, which secured a 1-0 win for Seattle over Real Salt Lake, is nominated for MLS Week 6 Goal of the Week. You can vote for his game-winning effort HERE.
ONE LAST TIM(E): Prior to the start of the season, longtime United States men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard announced that he would retire at the end of the 2019 season. As Saturday is the final regular season meeting between these two sides, it could be the last time the Sounders face off against the one of the best U.S. goalkeepers ever.
FLYING KEI: Rapids forward Kei Kamara scored his 115th career goal last weekend, moving him into sole possession of fifth place all-time in MLS goals. He trails only Landon Donovan, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham and Jaime Moreno.
A TALE OF TWO DEFENSES: While the Sounders lead the league with the fewest goals allowed, it’s a different story for the new-look Rapids. Through six matches, Colorado has conceded 16 times, the most in MLS.
A MATTER OF TIME: Seattle has taken 35 corner kicks, trailing only LAFC at 36, but have not yet scored a goal from a set piece. Between Lodeiro’s quality service and dominant aerial targets like Chad Marshall and Kim Kee-hee, a goal from a corner is coming for the Sounders. Facing a struggling defense on Wednesday, the floodgates could finally open.
