The Seattle Sounders return home Saturday to face off against the LA Galaxy for the first time this year. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the game.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is Saturday at 12:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field, and limited tickets are still available here.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be telecast on ESPN.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will be aired on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM with a pregame show beginning at 11:30 a.m. PT. You can also listen live on El Rey 1360AM in Spanish.
RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders (5-9-2, 17 pts., 9th in Western Conference), Galaxy (6-3-8, 26 pts., 4th in Western Conference)
ALL-TIME HISTORY: In a persistently contentious series, the LA Galaxy seem to have the Sounders’ number. Throughout 18 matches since 2009, the Sounders have gone 4-8-6 when playing against LA. The Galaxy also hold a 4-3-0 series advantage in the postseason, but Seattle knocked LA out of the MLS Cup Playoffs 3-2 at home in the Western Conference Knockout Round last year.
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER: The Sounders and Galaxy will get very friendly with each other over the next month. Between the MLS regular season and U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, the two sides will square off three times in 23 days before meeting for the final time in the regular season in Los Angeles on Sept. 25.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE: After a tough loss at home to New York City FC on June 25, the Sounders are now unbeaten in three straight across all competitions, including a confidence-boosting 3-0 win over English Premier League side West Ham United in an international friendly on Tuesday. Forward Jordan Morris scored a brace as a second-half sub within three minutes, racking up a total of three goals in four days across all competitions. With the halfway point of the season here and the summer transfer window now open, is the time right for the Sounders to hit their stride and make a run at the playoffs?
DEMPSEY TO RETURN?: Clint Dempsey has not made an appearance yet for the Rave Green since returning from the Copa America Centenario. While it is no surprise he didn’t play in Tuesday’s friendly against West Ham United, the star forward did not travel to Toronto last Saturday. Head coach Sigi Schmid said last week he expects Dempsey to be available vs. LA, his first match with the club since May 21. Dempsey has two goals and an assist in five games against the Galaxy since joining the Sounders in 2013.
INJURY UPDATE: With Dempsey healthy and defender Brad Evans returning from a minor calf strain, the Sounders appear to be in full health for Saturday’s match. The Galaxy will be without defender Robbie Rogers, who underwent ankle surgery last month, and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is questionable with a leg injury.
DE JONG SUSPENDED: Galaxy midfielder Nigel De Jong saw red in Monday’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps for an unquestionably unsportsmanlike tackle on 'Caps forward Blas Perez. Head coach Bruce Arena supported the referee’s decision in his post match comments, and De Jong will miss Saturday’s match against the Sounders.
CLINICAL FINISHERS: The Galaxy come in to this match with the best shot conversion rate in MLS (19.87). They’re tied for most goals scored at 30, and at a rate of one goal every 51 minutes, the Galaxy are the deadliest team in the league in front of net. However, they’ve actually created less chances than the Sounders (147-155) and they’re below the league average in total shots. With Giovani Dos Santos at seven goals, Keane and Magee both at five, and Zardes at four, the Sounders' defense will be put to the test at home.
SIGI VS. BRUCE: It’s a showdown of the league’s two winningest coaches of all-time. Between them are 423 regular season wins, seven MLS Cups, six Supporters’ Shields, six U.S. Open Cups and eight NCAA Championships. As longtime friends and competitors, these two titans of soccer will relish any opportunity to top the other.
