The Seattle Sounders will host Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake on Saturday (TICKETS) in their first meeting of the season. Here is everything you need to know about the match:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 2 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field. We're celebrating Military Appreciation day with plenty of pre-match activities as well.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on JOEtv and in Spanish on Univision.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 2-5-4 (10 points, 10th place West), RSL: 3-7-2 (11 points, 9th place West).
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 8-8-4 all time against Real Salt Lake, including a 7-2-2 home mark. Seattle has won six consecutive games at home against RSL and has not lost at CenturyLink Field since 2012.
RECENT MEETINGS: The Sounders defeated RSL 2-1 on Decision Day last season to book Seattle’s eighth consecutive trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Alvaro Fernandez and Cristian Roldan each scored in the first half to lead the way.
RIMANDO RECORD: RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando surpassed Kevin Hartman on Wednesday night vs. New York City FC to become Major League Soccer’s all-time saves leader with 1,476. Rimando already holds MLS records in wins (186), shutouts (131), starts (432) and minutes (39,001).
RSL RETURNEES: Rimando and midfielder Kyle Beckerman returned on Wednesday after missing the previous three matches with injuries. Each went the full 90 minutes.
SLUMP BUSTER: Wednesday’s 2-1 win over NYCFC snapped a four-match losing streak dating back to April 22. RSL was outscored 13-1 in those four games.
RUSNAK RISING: RSL acquired Designated Player Albert Rusnak this past offseason, and the 22-year-old Slovakian international midfielder has lived up to the billing. He has three goals and four assists so far.
PETKE PRESIDING: Former MLS player and New York Red Bulls head coach became the head coach of RSL’s USL side the Real Monarchs last December only to be promoted to first team duties after RSL fired head coach Jeff Cassar just three matches into the 2017 season.
SOUNDERS RETURN HOME: After a tough two-game road trip to the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City, Seattle returns to CenturyLink Field for the first of three consecutive weekends at home.
EVANS, FISHER HEALTHY: Brad Evans made his 2017 debut in Chicago last Saturday after missing the first two months with a calf injury, while Oniel Fisher started at left back on Wednesday after missing over a month with a hamstring strain.
ADEKOYA DEBUTS: Seyi Adekoya, the 2017 Sounders Homegrown forward, made his MLS debut in Kansas City when he entered in the 77th minute for Jordan Morris. “A moment he’s been dreaming about,” he’s hoping it’s the first of many moving forward.
