The Seattle Sounders visit Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM) in a clash of two Western Conference rivals. Here are three matchups to watch.
Yeimar Gómez vs. Sam Johnson
Yeimar Gòmez has been a revelation in Seattle’s back line since the regular season resumed. Displaying an elite defensive IQ, the Colombian center back has been imperious of late, guiding a defensive unit that conceded just once against Portland and LAFC.
On Wednesday, Gómez will likely square off with Sam Johnson, as starting striker Douglas Martinez missed RSL’s most recent match against the Portland Timbers through injury. A highly mobile No. 9, Johnson struggles with holdup play but uses his abundance of pace to run the channels and drag defenders out of position. If Gómez can supply his usual disruptive defensive presence and elite close-down speed to track Johnson, he’ll deny RSL a central focal point in possession, limiting them to hopeful crosses into the box.
Gustav Svensson vs. Albert Rusnak
The last time Seattle faced off against Salt Lake, the Goose got extremely loose, scoring the game-winning goal in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Gustav Svensson has been quietly dominant this season, racking up a combined four tackles, five recoveries, four interceptions and seven clearances in the recent wins over Portland and LAFC. In order for the Sounders to pick up a win at Rio Tinto Stadium – something the club has only done once in 12 visits – Seattle’s Swedish midfielder will need to keep Rusnak quiet, as he’s the catalyst for RSL’s attack.
Nicolas Lodeiro vs. Everton Luiz
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Nicolás Lodeiro put on an attacking clinic the last time the Sounders faced Real Salt Lake, carving apart their back line and midfield with incisive passes and peppering the goal with world-class shots. If he’s able to replicate even a fraction of that performance, the Sounders will have more than enough in the tank to find the back of the net.
A highly mobile defensive midfielder, Luiz is one of the few players that covers ground like Lodeiro. Look for Seattle’s midfield maestro to pull the Brazilian all around the pitch, opening up soft spots right in front of Real Salt Lake’s center backs for the rest of the Rave Green attack to exploit.
