The Seattle Sounders can claim their first victory of the 2024 MLS campaign when they host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Lumen Field.
Last weekend, the Rave Green had their fixture with the Philadelphia Union postponed because of rain, while the Burgundy Boys collected their first victory of the new season, 2-1 over Real Salt Lake.
Match preview
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Coming off a second-place finish in the Western Conference a season ago, Seattle have had a difficult start to the new campaign, winless in their first two regular-season affairs.
It is their worst start to a domestic campaign since losing their opening two matches in 2022, and they are in danger of dropping points in their first three fixtures at the start of a new season for the first time since 2018.
Saturday will be the second home fixture for them this year, and Brian Schmetzer's men are unbeaten in their last four regular-season affairs dating back to the previous campaign.
Seattle have conceded just one goal in their last five MLS encounters at Lumen Field in the regular season and playoffs, playing to a 0-0 draw versus Austin FC at the beginning of March.
The Sounders have won their last three regular-season encounters in which they had scored in the opening half and have not lost in this competition when doing so since August 2022 (3-2 loss to Orlando City).
They have won 16 of their 19 competitive fixtures all-time versus the Rapids, outscoring them 18-1 in their last six meetings at Lumen Field.
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The Burgundy Boys will enter this match in high spirits following their 2-1 come-from-behind victory over their Rocky Mountain Cup rivals, RSL.
It was the first victory for Chris Armas as the Rapids head coach and the first time this team had won after conceding the opener since July 2023 (2-1 versus Dallas).
Their victory versus RSL also ended an 11-match winless run for them away from home in this competition, while a triumph this weekend would equal their number of road wins from a season ago.
Armas has brought the high-energy, high-press system to Colorado, which has been effective in recent outings as his side have points in consecutive MLS contests.
With four points in three domestic fixtures, the Rapids have accumulated two more points than they had after their opening six matches a year ago, when they did not win until matchday seven.
Colorado have lost their last seven away matches versus the Rave Green, scoring in just two of those encounters, with their previous victory at Lumen Field occurring in 2016 (1-0).
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Team News
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The Sounders could be without Albert Rusnak, who has a right ankle issue, Braudilio Rodrigues and Stefan Frei are dealing with right ankle problems as well, while Joao Paulo could be sidelined due to a left hip injury.
Nathan could be available after receiving a green card, their big off-season signing Pedro de la Vega is recovering from a hamstring strain and Reed Baker-Whiting has a left hamstring injury.
Andrew Thomas started in goal in place of Frei against Austin earlier this month, stopping just one shot for his first clean sheet of 2024.
Kimani Stewart-Baynes is the only Rapids player who is questionable for this upcoming fixture as he is currently dealing with an illness.
Earlier this week, the club traded Ralph Priso to the Vancouver Whitecaps, receiving General Allocation Money (GAM), along with two MLS SuperDraft Picks in 2025 and a natural third-round choice in return.
An own-goal from Rafael Navarro levelled the Rapids' match with RSL last Saturday, Cole Bassett scored the winner and Zack Steffen made four stops for his first victory in goal with the Burgundy Boys.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Thomas; A. Roldan, Ragen, Arreaga, Tolo; Vargas, Atencio; C. Roldan, Musovski, Chu; Morris
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Bombito, Maxso, Vines; Larraz, Ronan; Harris, Bassett, Mihailovic; Lewis
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Even with all the injury concerns surrounding the Sounders, we have faith that Schmetzer will find a way to turn it around, given their depth and quality.
The Rapids are in decent form, but we believe their defensive approach will leave them chasing this match and allow Seattle to eventually find a breakthrough.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
