The Seattle Sounders host Columbus Crew SC in MLS Week 2 action on Saturday, March 7. Here’s everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2020 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 1-0-0 (3 points, T-4th West), Crew: 1-0-0 (3 points, 4th East)
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 6-4-4 all-time against the Crew, including a 2-3-3 mark at home.
CLUB STATEMENT ON COVID-19: On Thursday, Sounders FC released a statement on COVID-19.
PREVIOUS MEETING: It was the Nicolás Lodeiro show as the Seattle Sounders stole three points at the death against the Crew in Columbus on July 6, 2019. Facing the Crew on short rest at MAPFRE Stadium, the hosts took the lead through a penalty kick in the 13th minute. Lodeiro leveled for Seattle in the 56th minute with a spot kick of his own before securing all three points with a late, dramatic goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES: The Crew are nearly unrecognizable from the last time they visited Seattle, with new signings Darlington Nagbe and Lucas Zelarayán slotting into the midfield and Caleb Porter taking over as head coach from Gregg Berhalter.
CASCADIA TIES: While Porter and Nagbe might be new the Crew organization, they’re familiar faces for the Sounders. It wasn’t too long ago that they headlined Seattle’s bitter rival, the Portland Timbers.
RECUPERATING RAVE GREEN: Key contributors Lodeiro and Gustav Svensson have been unavailable thus far in the season through injury. According to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, both players are nearing returns to full health.
BLACK BELT: When the Crew visited Seattle in 2018, they played the majority of the match down a man after Pedro Santos planted his studs into Alex Roldan’s chest on a 50-50 challenge.
HE’S OUR DAD!: Arguably the greatest center back and dancer in league history, Sounders legend Chad Marshall started his career with the Crew before spending six glorious seasons in Rave Green.
CLUB AND COUNTRY: Midfielder Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris will have plenty of insider tips for the teammates when it comes to marking Crew striker Gyasi Zardes, as the trio have been mainstays with the United States Men’s National Team throughout the Berhalter era.
