SEATTLE - Sounders FC’s World Cup stars are back in the starting lineup after over two months away from MLS action, and it couldn’t come at a better time as Seattle hosts the Portland Timbers in a Cascadia Cup clash at CenturyLink Field.
Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin both played key roles for the U.S. National Team in its run to the Round of 16 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Dempsey captained the team and scored two goals, while Yedlin came off the bench to log 112 minutes in three matches.
Now back in Seattle, they are both in Head Coach Sigi Schmid’s starting lineup for Sounders FC’s first home match since a 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake on May 31.
Stefan Frei is the starting goalkeeper behind a back four of Yedlin on the right, Jalil Anibaba on the left and a central pairing of Zach Scott and Chad Marshall. This is the same back four Schmid used against the Timbers in a 3-1 overtime win in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Starfire.
In the midfield, Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda return to league action after a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation. They will be flanked by Lamar Neagle and Marco Pappa. In eight matches with this foursome staring in the midfield, Seattle is 7-1-0 while outscoring the opposition 17-10.
Dempsey will start at forward along with Chad Barrett.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm PT with television coverage nationally on ESPN2.
Sounders FC XI - Stefan Frei, DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Marshall, Zach Scott, Jalil Anibaba, Lamar Neagle, Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda, Marco Pappa, Clint Dempsey, Chad Barrett.
