The Seattle Sounders host Chicago Fire FC in the club’s 2020 MLS season-opener on Sunday, March 1 at 12 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field (ESPN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Here’s everything you need to know:
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THE CHAMPS RETURN: In celebration of the 2019 MLS Cup, the Sounders will be hosting several activations in the Champions Lounge presented by Delta Air Lines, commemorating the club’s second championship. The marquee piece will be the StoryLAB, where supporters can have a conversation with club brand ambassador Brad Evans, sharing their stories and favorite memories from the Cup. Fans who participate will earn an exclusive two-star t-shirt that they can customize.
SHARE YOUR #2STARSTORIES: Share your 2019 MLS Cup Story using the hashtags #2STARSTORIES and #Sweepstakes on social media to get an exclusive two-star tag sewn onto your Sounders scarf by a seamstress on-site and a chance to win a $1,000 Delta gift card.
MORE BANNERS: The pre-match festivities include unveiling the club’s 2019 championship banner, which will hang from the rafters of CenturyLink Field.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-10-8 (56 points, 2nd West), Fire: 10-12-12 (42 points, 8th East)
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 8-2-4 all-time against the Fire, including a 4-0-2 mark at home.
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders faced the Fire in the third game of the season in 2019, collecting a dominant 4-2 win on the road. Seattle raced out to a 3-0 lead through Víctor Rodríguez, Jordan Morris and Nicolás Lodeiro before the Fire answered with two goals of their own. With Chicago pushing for an equalizer, striker Raúl Ruidíaz put the match to bed, finishing off a cross from Brad Smith in the 88th minute.
HOME SWEET HOME: Dating back to the club’s inaugural season, the Sounders have posted a record of 7-4-0 in MLS regular season home openers.
SO. MUCH. SOCCER.: The 2020 MLS home opener will be Seattle’s third match in 10 days following a home-and-away series with C.D. Olimpia in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE: Since 2009, the Sounders have never lost a home match to the Fire, posting a 4-0-2 record and a goal-difference of +4.
NEW-LOOK FIRE: Chicago’s rebrand isn’t the only new facet of the Fire. In addition to hiring a new technical director (Sebastian Pelzer), sporting director (Georg Heitz) and head coach (Raphaël Wicky), the club has added three new Designated Players in Ignacio Aliseda, Robert Berić and Gastón Giménez.
