The Seattle Sounders will welcome 2017 Major League Soccer expansion franchise Minnesota United to CenturyLink Field for the first time on Sunday, Aug. 20. Here is everything you need to know about the match:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. PT sharp at CenturyLink Field so make sure you arrive early!
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on FS1.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM or in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 10-7-7 (37 points, 2nd West); Minnesota: 6-13-4 (22 points, 11th West).
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders and Minnesota United met for the first time in MLS two weeks ago when the Sounders won 4-0 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Clint Dempsey led the way with a brace while Will Bruin and Jordan Morris each tallied as well.
FORM GUIDE: Seattle: WWDWW; Minnesota: LDLWL
NEW FACES: Minnesota has added two new players since hosting Seattle on Aug. 5. The Loons traded for Columbus Crew SC’s Ethan Finlay on Aug. 9 before welcoming Costa Rica international Jose Leiton on loan from C.S. Herediano.
BACK-TO-BACK: Due to a schedule change, Minnesota’s match against Atlanta United was moved from last weekend to Oct. 3. As a result, the Loons will face the Sounders for the second consecutive competitive week.
RAMIREZ RETURN?: Loons forward Christian Ramirez missed the Aug. 5 match with a tweaked hamstring, but may return on Sunday. He leads the team with 11 goals this season.
UNBEATEN RUN: The Sounders are looking to extend their MLS unbeaten streak on Sunday to nine matches, which would tie a club record set in 2011. Seattle has not lost since a 2-1 defeat at New York City FC on June 17.
SHUTOUT STREAK: The Sounders set a club record for consecutive shutout minutes last week and have now gone 400 minutes without conceding. Seattle has not allowed a goal since the 50th minute against D.C. United on July 19.
ABSOLUTE ZERO: Seattle has yet to concede since new acquisition Kelvin Leerdam debuted in the second half against D.C. United. He has played 390 of the Sounders’ 400-minute shutout streak and has a goal differential of plus-11.
HONEY BADGER’S BACK: Captain Osvaldo Alonso returned to the matchday roster last week in a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City for the first time since spraining his knee on July 4. He entered as a substitute in the 59th minute and helped preserve three points.
DEUCE’S HALF CENTURY: Dempsey scored his 50th Seattle Sounders goal (all competitions) last week, a game-winning header in the 36th minute. His 44 MLS regular-season goals are three behind Fredy Montero for the club record.
