Sounders FC vs. D.C. United
MLS Regular Season
Saturday, June 28; 4 pm PT; RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
TV/Radio: JOEtv (locally, KZJO channel 22/cable 10); ROOT Sports (regionally); KIRO Radio 97.3 FM; ESPN Deportes Radio, 1490 AM (Spanish)
Sounders FC meets D.C. United for the only time this year at RFK Stadium as the top team in the Eastern Conference hosts the top team in MLS.
Here are three matchups to watch as the two teams get back to action after the league’s World Cup break.
Kenny Cooper vs. Bobby Boswell
On a remade D.C. defense, Boswell takes his experience with a pair of MLS Cup runner-up seasons with the Houston Dynamo to a back line reloaded with veteran talent. Cooper has been impressive against Boswell-led defenses in the past though. In 10 starts against Boswell’s Dynamo teams since 2008 in all competitions, Cooper had seven goals, including two braces. Last season alone, he had three goals in two matches between their MLS meeting and U.S. Open Cup matchup.
Eddie Johnson vs. Chad Marshall
If there is one thing Sounders FC fans learned in Johnson’s two seasons in Seattle, it was the value of an aerial threat in the attack. Likewise, Seattle fans have also seen the value of a tremendous aerial defender in Marshall’s first 14 matches in Rave Green. The two will go head-to-head, so to speak, as Johnson continues his quest to regain the form he found when he netted 23 goals over two seasons for Sounders FC. He has just one goal in 12 matches for his new club in D.C., but is a streaky scorer bound to break out of that slump.
World Cup Fever vs. MLS Restart
D.C. has always been among the most active communities in supporting the U.S. National Team and RFK Stadium is a regular site for the Stars and Stripes, as the fans come out in full force. The same can be said in many ways for the Barra Brava – D.C.’s main supporter group. With over 225 Sounders FC fans making the trip as well, there will be booming support for both clubs in what will surely be a raucous atmosphere to restart the second half of the season.
