The Seattle Sounders are visiting Nashville SC on Wednesday (5:38 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM) in their second meeting of the season. Here are three matchups to watch:
Jordan Morris vs. Jack Maher
Look for Morris to try and find some space in behind right wingback Alex Muyl and right center back Maher in Gary Smith’s three-center-back formation. The Sounders winger has blistering pace on the counterattack and should have a favorable matchup on Seattle’s left side against the 22-year-old Maher.
Albert Rusnák vs. Sean Davis
The battle in the center of the park will be key on Wednesday, so look for Rusnák to be his dominant self on the ball. He’ll need to be clinical in shuffling from defense to attack, and he’ll go head-to-head with the former longtime New York Red Bulls midfielder Davis, who is in his first season in Nashville. If Rusnák can break lines and spring Nicolás Lodeiro or either Morris or Cristian Roldan on the wings, the Sounders could be in business.
Yeimar vs. Hany Mukhtar
Yeimar will have a tall task on Wednesday, especially without running mates Xavier Arreaga (hamstring) and Jackson Ragen (suspension). It will be a huge matchup of 2021 MLS Best XI selections as the Colombian center back’s main focus will be keeping Mukhtar off the score sheet. The 27-year-old German was a 2021 MLS MVP finalist and already boasts 10 goals and five assists in 19 appearances so far this season. Keeping Mukhtar quiet will go a long way in the Sounders earning a valuable point (or three) at a Western Conference foe.
