The Seattle Sounders are visiting St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday (6 p.m. PT; Watch free on Apple TV, iHeartRadio and El Rey 1360AM) on Decision Day at CITYPARK in St. Louis, Mo. Here are three matchups to watch:
Jordan Morris vs. Tim Parker
With Raúl RuidÃaz still questionable, it will likely be Jordan Morris leading the line again as the No. 9. The Sounders Homegrown leads the team with 11 goals on the season, the fourth time in his MLS career he’s recorded double-digit goals, and will look to tie his career high of 12 he set in his rookie campaign in 2016. He’ll try and get the better of Parker, the MLS veteran center back who will look to take some of the burden off goalkeeper Roman Bürki.
Albert Rusnák vs. Eduard Löwen
Albert Rusnák has taken the reins recently as the focal point of the Sounders’ attack as the No. 10, and he’ll need to have another productive day in the middle of the park against Löwen. Rusnák operates well in tight spaces, and how well he can suck defenses in before spraying balls wide to Léo Chú and Cristian Roldan on the wings will go a long way in Seattle leaving St. Louis with a result. Löwen, meanwhile, has been a wild success in his first season in MLS. The 26-year-old German is tied for third in the league with 14 assists to go along with six goals.
Yeimar vs. João Klauss
The Sounders have a chance on Saturday to set a club record for fewest goals conceded in a season. Yeimar has been the veteran rock in central defense, and Seattle will rely on him to try and record its league-leading 14th clean sheet. It will be a difficult task against a St. Louis side that is third in MLS in goals scored (62), led by Klauss, who has been in great form since returning from a long injury absence. The 26-year-old Brazilian has five goals in his last six matches.