The Seattle Sounders are taking on Sporting Kansas City on Sunday in their final road match of the season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 2:25 p.m. PT at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1 and FOX Deportes.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360AM.
2022 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 12-16-4 (40 points, 9th West), Sporting: 10-15-7 (37 points, 12th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: DLWWL, Kansas City: WWDDW
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-0 at Lumen Field on June 25 behind goals from Will Bruin, Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan. Bruin opened the scoring with a pin-point header in the 8th minute before Morris scored a header off a Nouhou cross in the 71st minute and Léo Chú set up Roldan for the decisive third goal just five minutes later.
REINFORCEMENTS: Fielding a rotated side, the Sounders picked up a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati in their last outing. With Morris, Alex Roldan, Nouhou and Xavier Arreaga back from international duty and Nicolás Lodeiro completing his one-game suspension, the Rave Green will be bolstered ahead of Sunday's match. Raúl RuidÃaz, who picked up a knock while playing with Peru, could potentially be available for selection as well.
ROLDAN RETURNS: Speaking of key players re-entering the fray, Cristian Roldan made his return from injury in the draw against FC Cincinnati. The midfield talisman had missed six matches while recovering from an athletic pubalgia and made an instant impact in his 35-minute appearance as a substitute. Roldan's return will be instrumental down the stretch, as his emotional influence on the group and attacking contributions (four goals and 10 assists across all competitions) will be pivotal in the final two games of the campaign.
FUTURE AND PRESENT: Veteran forward Will Bruin and Fredy Montero have been influential in recent weeks. Bruin scored Seattle's lone goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps s a substitute, while Montero grabbed the equalizer against FC Cincinnati with a swerving golazo from distance. Additionally, Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio earned their fourth straight start together in central midfield, while Ethan Dobbelaere and Jackson Ragen impressed in their starts on Tuesday.
MUST WIN: In order to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the 14th consecutive season, the Sounders will need to pick up three points against Sporting Kansas City this weekend. A loss or draw would see the Rave Green eliminated from postseason contention.
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UNBEATEN RUN: SKC is currently riding a six-match unbeaten run, with their last loss coming in a 4-3 shootout on the road against Austin FC back on August 13. Sunday's hosts have not lost a match at Children's Mercy Park since falling to Austin on July 30, picking up four multi-goal wins at home during that stretch.
ONES TO WATCH: Midseason acquisition Willy Agada has been a revelation at striker, posting seven goals and two assists in just 10 matches. Goalkeeper John Pulskamp has come in and provided a steadying influence down the stretch, starting eight of the club's last nine matches in net.
LIMITING RUSSELL: Few players have enjoyed as much success against the Sounders in recent years as SKC attacker Johnny Russell. The Scottish winger has notched six goals and one assist in MLS regular season appearances against the Rave Green since 2018.
