The Seattle Sounders are hosting the Chicago Fire on Saturday in their only regular-season meeting in 2018. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv, YouTube TV and in Spanish on Univision-Seattle.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2018 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 3-8-2 (11 points, 10th West), Fire: 5-7-4 (19 points, 7th East).
FORM GUIDE (Most recent first): Seattle: LWLLL, Chicago: DDWLW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 7-2-3 all time against the Fire, including a 4-0-1 record at home.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle fell 4-1 at Toyota Park in Chicago last May.
FIFA WORLD CUP: Sounders Román Torres and Gustav Svensson each made their World Cup debuts on June 18. Svensson came on as a substitute in Sweden’s 1-0 win over South Korea, while Torres captained Panama in a 3-0 loss to Belgium.
Ozzie Alonso dribbles against the Fire at CenturyLink Field in 2016 | Jane Gershovich
PRIDE: The Sounders will have their annual Pride Match on Saturday to help celebrate diversity, inclusion and equality.
HONEY BADGER’S BACK: Captain Osvaldo Alonso made his return to the Starting XI in last Wednesday’s match against the New York Red Bulls. He went 59 minutes in his first start since May 5.
FREI STEPS UP: Although it wasn’t quite enough, goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a career-high 11 saves against the Red Bulls and was named to MLS’ Team of the Week bench.
GOAL MACHINE: Fire forward Nemanja Nikolic leads Chicago with six goals so far in 2018. Last year’s Golden Boot winner has 30 goals in just 49 career MLS matches.
SERBIAN NO. 10: New loan acquisition Aleksandar Katai has been excellent so far, recording five goals and three assists in 15 matches. He’s on a great run of form currently as he has three goals and two assists in his last five games.
USOC: Before visiting Seattle this weekend, Chicago ran essentially a first-choice lineup in a 1-0 win at Atlanta United in the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.
LEAKY D: Chicago has allowed 28 goals this season, the second-most in the Eastern Conference.
