The Seattle Sounders host the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship. Ahead of the two-game series, here is a breakdown of everything you need to know.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff for the first leg is at 7 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field. The return leg will be on Sunday, Nov. 27.
WHERE TO WATCH: Tuesday’s match will be telecast on FS1. You can find a full list of Sounders FC Pub Partners here.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 13-5-2 all time against the Rapids, including 8-2-1 at home. The Rapids, though, have won the last three matches in the series.
ALL-TIME POSTSEASON HISTORY: This is only the second-ever postseason meeting between the two clubs. The Sounders defeated the Rapids 2-0 on Oct. 30, 2013, at CenturyLink Field in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Brad Evans and Eddie Johnson scored for Seattle.
LAST MEETING: The Rapids defeated the Sounders 1-0 at CenturyLink Field on May 21 behind a header from defender Axel Sjoberg off a Colorado corner kick. The win was the Rapids’ second over the Sounders in 28 days after beating Seattle 3-1 in Commerce City on April 23.
SOUNDERS’ SELECTIONS: Forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro were recently named MLS Rookie of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, respectively. Morris took home top rookie honors after finishing with 12 goals and four assists in 34 matches. Lodeiro scored four goals and added eight assists in his 13 regular-season games after signing from Argentina side Boca Juniors.
MORRIS A MAYBE: Morris left the Sounders’ second leg against FC Dallas with a strained hamstring and his status is up in the air for Tuesday’s match. He and midfielder Alvaro Fernandez (hamstring) were each half-participants this past week in practice.
IVANSCHITZ INSURANCE: Sounders midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz has missed the previous five matches, including all three in the playoffs, as he recovers from a sprained knee. But he has been participating in full training for the past week and could be available for Tuesday’s game.
SEATTLE HOMECOMING: Four former Sounders currently play for the Rapids and will return to their former home field on Tuesday night. Micheal Azira, Marc Burch, Sebastien Le Toux and Marco Pappa all previously plied their trade for the Sounders, with Pappa and Azira leaving Seattle to join Colorado just this past offseason.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: The Rapids allowed a league-low 32 goals in 34 regular-season matches and recorded 13 shutouts. Towering center back Sjoberg was also a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.
MACMATH’S MOMENT: Colorado backup goalkeeper Zac MacMath will start or the remaining of the postseason after regular starter and United States national teamer Tim Howard underwent surgery last week to repair a fractured adductor longus. MacMath started 17 games this season, allowed just 13 goals (0.76 GAA) and recorded six shutouts.
SHKELZEN SITTING? Rapids forward and leading scorer Shkelzen Gashi is doubtful for Tuesday after spraining his ankle in the second leg of Colorado’s Western Conference Semifinals win over the LA Galaxy two weeks ago.
