Fresh off their 3-0 road demolition of the LA Galaxy last week, the Seattle Sounders are hosting the Eastern Conference’s New England Revolution on Saturday night (7 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX, Univision, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS). Here are the three matchups to watch that could help decide the outcome of the match.
Jordan Morris vs. Scott Caldwell and Andrew Farrell
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer moved Morris from the lone striker to the left wing against LA, and it paid immediate dividends. Morris added much-needed width to the Sounders’ attack and was a constant threat to run at defenders with the ball at his feet. On Saturday, Morris will face Caldwell, who by nature of the Revolution’s 4-4-2 diamond formation will be forced to pinch inside, and Farrell on the left side. If Morris again gets ample space to attack, the Revs will have an even longer trip home to New England.
Juan Agudelo vs. Sounders center backs
Whoever lines up at center back for the Sounders this week — Roman Torres (left hamstring) and Chad Marshall (back pain) are each questionable — they will have their hands full with Agudelo. He’s less a playmaking threat than Lee Nguyen, but Agudelo is a poacher and excels in the air on crosses and set pieces. The Revolution have only scored two goals in four away matches this season, but they are a constant threat on 50-50 balls pinged into the box.
Clint Dempsey vs. Xavier Kouassi
Kouassi is one of the Revs’ Designated Players and the lynchpin holding midfielder in their diamond. Like any No. 6, the Ivorian builds New England’s attacks from the back, but his main responsibility on Saturday will be slowing down Sounders attacking midfielder Dempsey, who has 15 shots in his last two games and looks like his vintage self. Dempsey scored and assisted last week, and as Nicolas Lodeiro inevitably draws attention this weekend, Kouassi will need to somehow keep the U.S. international in check.
