The basics
Seattle Sounders FC (9-9-5, fifth place in Western Conference) vs. Real Salt Lake (12-4-7, second place in West) at Qwest Field in Seattle.
TV info
11 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Game intro
Real Salt Lake return to the site of their MLS Cup triumph last November to take on the Seattle Sounders on Thursday. Sitting just one point behind Los Angeles and Columbus in the MLS standings, RSL have a chance to go top of the table in the Supporters’ Shield race—at least temporarily—with a win at Qwest Field.
Seattle, in the midst of US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League play, look to reinforce their playoff position with their sixth victory in the past nine MLS matches (5-1-2).
Seattle Sounders FC
All good things must come to an end. Were it not for incredible runs by FC Dallas and RSL, Seattle’s 5-0-2 mark in league play would have gotten more attention. But that streak fell by the wayside with a 3-1 loss at New England last weekend.
Seattle’s Tuesday practice on the artificial surface of Qwest Field took its toll. Defender James Riley is out one to three weeks after turning his ankle on what coach Sigi Schmid termed “sticky” artificial turf. Countering that loss is the return of Sanna Nyassi, who is back with the club after international duty with the Gambian National Team.
Real Salt Lake
According to defender Nat Borchers, his team rates the Supporters’ Shield just as highly as the MLS Cup. Jason Kreis’ team has put itself in contention for the honor by posting an 11-1-6 record since April.
Owners of a 22-match unbeaten streak in the altitude of Rio Tinto Stadium, RSL have been vulnerable on the road in 2010 (3-4-4).
Heroes & villains:
Alvaro Saborio vs. Patrick Ianni: The first time these teams met in 2010, Saborío scored a header off Nelson Gonzalez's corner kick in the fourth minute of added time to give RSL a 2-2 draw at Rio Tinto.
Saborío (eight goals, four assists in league play) has been a focal point of RSL’s balanced attack. Ianni, who is coming off a physical encounter with Shalrie Joseph, must ensure he doesn’t get slapped around by RSL’s talented Costa Rican striker.
Stat that makes you go “Hmm"
8: Seattle goals in four games against RSL, including a 4-1 US Open Cup triumph last year.
