Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes
MLS Regular Season
Saturday, May 17; 7 pm PT; CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: Q13 FOX; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM/SiriusXM FC (channel 94); THIS-TV, KOMO2 (Spanish); ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
San Jose's Record: The Earthquakes are 2-3-4 (10 points) and sixth in the Western Conference, but five points behind the fifth place position.
Head-To-Head: This is the first of three meetings between the two Western Conference rivals. The next match will be August 2 at Levi's Stadium, the new Santa Clara home of the San Francisco 49ers. The season series concludes August 20 at CenturyLink Field.
All-Time Series: In 13 meetings since 2009, San Jose holds a 7-5-1 edge over Seattle, outscoring the Sounders 16-15. Seattle is 4-3-0 at CenturyLink Field in the series.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: D Damion Lowe (Hip Surgery); F Kevin Parsemain (ACL Tear). QUESTIONABLE: D Dylan
Remick (L Ankle Sprain). Earthquakes – OUT: D Tommy Muller (Lower Back Spasms); D Andy Gorlitz (R ACL Surgery); D Ryan Neil (L Knee Sprain); F Alan Gordon (L Groin Strain). QUESTIONABLE: M Yannick Djalo (L Groin Tightness); M Atiba Harris (L Hamstring Tightness).
Key Player: On a team depleted by injuries, suspensions and international duty, San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch will have a lot on his plate to keep Seattle out of the net. It was a struggle for Busch in his last time out at CenturyLink Field, as Seattle netted four in a resounding 4-0 win. However, Busch has a career 1.09 goals against average in 11 matches against Seattle.
Notes: Five players will miss Saturday's match while away with the U.S. National Team. Sounders FC will play without forward Clint Dempsey, midfielder Brad Evans and defender DeAndre Yedlin, while San Jose will miss forward Chris Wondolowski and defender Clarence Goodson. … San Jose also has two players out due to suspension in midfielder Shea Salinas and defender Victor Bernardez. … The match will be the first of five regular season matches that will feature full expanded capacity seating at CenturyLink Field. Sounders FC is 8-0-3 when attendance exceeds 40,000. … Earthquakes Head Coach Mark Watson played for the Sounders in the A-League in 1997. … Saturday is Military Appreciation Night at CenturyLink Field.
