Seattle Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 31
CenturyLink Field — Seattle
Sept. 29 — 4 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Following consecutive losses, the Seattle Sounders are desperate to create separation above the playoff line in the Western Conference when they host the Colorado Rapids Saturday at CenturyLink Field.

The Sounders are coming off a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy, who moved within three points of sixth-place Seattle, while the Rapids are reeling following five straight defeats.

This is the second meeting this season, with the Sounders claiming a 2-1 victory on the Fourth of July at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Will Bruin scored a brace for the visitors, while Sam Nicholson struck for the Rapids.

Seattle Sounders

Following nine straight wins, Seattle (13-11-5) dropped a second consecutive game without scoring a goal, falling to the LA Galaxy, 3-0, Sunday at StubHub Center.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 9th minute and helped set up Ola Kamara, who doubled the hosts lead five minutes from halftime. Ema Boateng put the finishing touches on a comprehensive win in the 52nd minute with Romain Alessandrini picking up his second assist.

“I thought all three goals were not indicative of what this team really usually is all about,” Brian Schmetzer said. “Usually we’re a very strong defensive team. Those are uncharacteristic goals we don’t normally give away.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: D - Jordy Delem
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: F - Jordan Morris (torn ACL), F - Felix Chenkam (herniated disc), M - Henry Wingo (concussion), M - Harry Shipp (right hamstring injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Chad Marshall (head injury), M - Lamar Neagle (left midfoot sprain), D - Brad Smith (undisclosed injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-4-2, right to left)
GK: Stefan Frei — Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Kim Kee-hee, Nouhou Tolo — Cristian Roldan, Gustav Svensson, Osvaldo Alonso, Nico Lodeiro — Will Bruin, Raul Ruidiaz

Colorado Rapids

Colorado (6-17-6) dropped its fifth straight game, falling 2-1 on the road to Columbus on Saturday.

Shkelzen Gashi canceled out Gyasi Zardes’ opening goal, catching Columbus off guard with a quickly taken free kick to level the score in the 26th minute, but six minutes after Deklan Wynne was sent off on a straight red card, Federico Higuain put Crew SC up for good in the 57th minute.

“I was pleased, I was proud of the performance,” Anthony Hudson said. “After the season, the results are very disappointing for us, it’s very difficult for me to come in here and talk about positives because it’s been tough. However, taking that game in isolation and I can only speak the truth in how we viewed the game and how we analyzed the game, I thought the players were excellent.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: M - Johan Blomberg, F - Jack McBean, D - Danny Wilson
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Axel Sjoberg (knee injury); QUESTIONABLE: F - Yannick Boli (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-1-2, right to left)
GK: Tim Howard — Kortne Ford, Danny Wilson, Tommy Smith, Edgar Castillo — Johan Blomberg, Jack Price, Dillon Serna — Enzo Martinez — Shkelzen Gashi, Kellyn Acosta

All-Time Series

Overall: Seattle Sounders FC 16 wins, 42 goals … Colorado Rapids 5 wins, 25 goals … 2 draws
At Seattle: Sounders FC 9 wins, 22 goals … Rapids 2 wins, 9 goals … 1 draw
Last meeting at Seattle: Seattle Sounders FC 3, Colorado Rapids 0 (Oct. 22, 2017)