Sounders FC looks to extend a seven-match unbeaten streak against the Fire and an 11-match run at CenturyLink Field.
Sounders FC vs. Chicago Fire
September 7, 2013, 7 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: NBC Sports; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
Chicago’s Record: The Fire is seventh in the Eastern Conference at 10-10-5 (35 points) and 2-6-3 on the road.
All-time series: Sounders FC is unbeaten at 4-0-3 against Chicago in MLS play and 5-0-3 overall, including a win in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup final.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: F Will Bates (R knee); GK Josh Ford (R patella fracture); M Shalrie Joseph (R knee sprain); M Steve Zakuani (athletic pubalgia). QUESTIONABLE: M Brad Evans (L calf strain); F Obafemi Martins (L ankle sprain); D Dylan Remick (L hamstring strain). Fire – OUT: Brendan King (L hamstring strain).
Key player: Mike Magee has eight goals and three assists in just 13 matches for the Fire since joining his hometown team in May. He has 14 goals on the season after notching six goals in 10 matches for the Galaxy before being traded for Robbie Rogers. Magee had one goal in seven appearances against Seattle while with the Galaxy.
Notes: Seattle is unbeaten in its last 11 matches at CenturyLink Field at 8-0-3. … Seattle will play without forwards Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson while the duo plays with the U.S. National Team in World Cup qualifying matches against Costa Rica (Sept. 6) and Mexico (Sept. 10). Both are expected to rejoin the team ahead of the Sept. 13 match against Real Salt Lake. … Chicago won’t have midfielders Joel Lindpere (Estonia) and Arevalo Rios (Uruguay) as both are also away on international duty. … Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning has posted three straight clean sheets, toting a 286-minute shutout streak. … Lamar Neagle and Obafemi Martins are tied for fourth in MLS with four game-winning goals. Among the three players tied atop that list with five game-winners is Magee. … Seattle defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado’s next match will mark his 100th MLS appearance for Sounders FC. He will be the fourth player to reach that landmark, joining Osvlado Alonso (131), Fredy Montero (119) and Brad Evans (107).
