With three straight shutouts, the Seattle defense is the best in the West and looks to slow one of the hottest teams in the East.
SEATTLE – The lineups are in at CenturyLink Field as Sounders FC looks to continue its streak of three straight shutout victories against the Chicago Fire.
With his choice of defenders available, Head Coach Sigi Schmid opted to start goalkeeper Michael Gspurning behind a back four of DeAndre Yedlin, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Djimi Traore and Leo Gonzalez, who returns from a red card suspension served in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Chivas USA.
Hurtado’s start marks his 100th MLS appearance with Sounders FC, joining Osvaldo Alonso, Fredy Montero and Brad Evans as the fourth player to reach that milestone.
Alonso will get the start in the middle of midfield with Andy Rose, who is making his first start since July 3 in a 2-0 win over DC United. They will be flanked by Mauro Rosales and Marc Burch, who each have two assists in the last four matches.
At forward, Lamar Neagle will start with Obafemi Martins, who is making his return to the starting lineup after missing the last four matches with an ankle injury.
On the bench for Sounders FC are Marcus Hahnemann, Patrick Ianni, Zach Scott, Servando Carrasco, Alex Caskey, David Estrada and Eriq Zavaleta.
Sounders FC is looking to extend its home unbeaten streak to a club-record 12 games and remain unscathed against Chicago in eight all-time meetings.
The Fire will start Sean Johnson at goalkeeper; a defense of Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Bakary Soumare and Gonzalo Segares; Alex, Logan Pause, Jeff Larentowicz and Dilly Duka in the midfield; and forwards Mike Magee and Chris Rolfe.
The bench is Paolo Tornaghi, Daniel Paladini, Quincy Amarikwa, Juan Luis Anangono, Hunter Jumper, Patrick Nyarko and Wells Thompson.
