The Seattle Sounders are taking on Real Salt Lake on Saturday (3 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, iHeart Radio, El Rey 1360AM) in their first road match of the 2022 MLS season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Albert Rusnák vs. Tate Schmitt
All eyes will be on Rusnák in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday as he returns to the place he called home for the past five years. He knows that venue — and his opposition — better than anyone on the Sounders’ roster, and he’ll have a favorable matchup in the inexperienced Schmitt. Rusnák has been starting on the right wing in Seattle’s attacking band of three, and he’ll look to come inside to pull left back Schmitt out of position and find pockets of space to slip in teammates.
João Paulo vs. Damir Kreilach
The Sounders’ Brazilian midfielder made his first start of 2022 last weekend, going 65 minutes after missing the Concacaf Champions League opener and coming on as a sub in the second leg. João Paulo is still ramping up to full fitness, but he’ll need to showcase his destroying skills against Kreilach, who is one of the league’s best and most underrated attackers. The Croatian operates as an attacking midfielder/second striker, playing underneath the No. 9 to exploit space and unbalance center backs. João Paulo will need to drop in and make Kreilach’s life difficult and ensure he doesn’t have time on the ball or space to turn and either find a key pass or unleash a shot himself.
Xavier Arreaga vs. Bobby Wood
Wood joined RSL last season, and the former United States international forward is elusive as they come inside the box. Arreaga is part of a Sounders’ defense that has only allowed one goal in three matches in all competitions to start the year. The Ecuadorian international will need to keep his back line organized and make sure Wood doesn’t find any channels to run into, especially if Kreilach has time to pull the strings in the final third.
