The Seattle Sounders are hosting Austin FC on Saturday in a crucial Western Conference battle. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 5:08 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX 13+, Univision Seattle and Prime Video.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR FM and El Rey 1360AM.
2022 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 11-15-3 (36 points, 9th West), Austin: 15-8-6 (51 points, 2nd West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: WLLDL, Austin: LLWLW
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders earned a 1-1 draw at Q2 Stadium on March 20, three days after an away leg at Mexico’s Club León in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League. Will Bruin opened the scoring for Seattle near the end of the first half before Diego Fagúndez equalized for the hosts in the 70th minute.
NEW PARTNERSHIP: The club announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a multi-year pitch naming rights partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ Emerald Queen Casino (EQC), with Saturday's match against Austin serving as the unveiling of the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field.
RACE IS ON: Last Sunday’s 2-1 win against the Houston Dynamo kept the Sounders’ postseason hopes alive as the club looks to extend its league-record playoff streak to 14 seasons. Seattle enters this weekend six points outside the playoff picture, but with a match in hand. The Sounders have still yet to lose to Austin in three all-time meetings (1-0-2).
NOUHOU OFF THE MARK: It took nearly six full seasons and almost 150 appearances in MLS play (including postseason), but Nouhou finally scored his long-awaited first goal last week. He was excellent in the attacking third, with his goal serving as the leveler before he dropped a dime on Fredy Montero’s head for the eventual match-winner.
PLAY THE KIDS: Head Coach Brian Schmetzer opted to start a double-pivot in midfield of Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio, freeing Albert Rusnák to play higher up the pitch. The personnel shift worked with flying colors. The teenagers held their own in central midfield as the Sounders racked up 63% possession and won the Expected Goals battle 2.3–0.5.
TICKETS FOR AUSTIN FC
Come watch Seattle Sounders FC as we host Austin FC at Lumen Field on Saturday, September 10!
MVP CANDIDATE: Austin sports one of the best players in the league this season in Sebastián Driussi. The 26-year-old Argentine attacker boasts 20 goals and seven assists and will be tasked with trying to unlock this Sounders defense on Sunday.
GOAL MACHINES: Driussi has one-third of Austin’s entire scoring output this season, as the Verde’s 60 Goals For is second in MLS behind only the Philadelphia Union (63). Austin has had 13 different goalscorers this season, with MLS veterans Maxi Urruti (nine) and Fagúndez (six) playing complementary attacking roles.
STARTING TO SLIDE?: Austin looked to be competing for the Supporters’ Shield until a few weeks ago. The Verde have since lost three of their last four, including a 3-0 loss at Nashville SC last weekend.
