SEATTLE – Sounders FC is playing its first match since losing three key starters to international duty, but is still fielding a strong lineup against the San Jose Earthquakes at CenturyLink Field.
Without the services of Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans and DeAndre Yedlin, who are all training with the U.S. National Team at Stanford University as part of the 30-man preliminary roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Head Coach Sigi Schmid made four changes from his lineup in last week's 5-0 defeat to the New Enlgnad Revolution.
Stefan Frei remains in goal, but the back line in front of him features three new faces. Jalil Anibaba gets his second start of the season and first at right back, where he started all 34 matches for the Chicago Fire last season. Zach Scott and Chad Marshall will man the middle, while Leo Gonzalez returns from injury to get the start on the left.
The midfield remains the same from four of the last five matches, with Lamar Neagle and Marco Pappa flanking the central pair of Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda.
Finally at forward, Obafemi Martins will start with Kenny Cooper, who is making his first start since April 12 in a 3-2 win over FC Dallas.
Sounders FC XI – Frei, Anibaba, Scott, Marshall, Gonzalez, Pappa, Pineda, Alonso, Neagle, Cooper, Martins.
