Sounders looking for momentum against Sporting KC

After a 1-1 draw against league leaders LAFC last week Sounders  FC 6-6-2)  have had some time to reflect and the result now looks more like points earned rather than points dropped. A perilous thought that depends on the Rave Green’s result against 12^th place Sporting Kansas City 4-9-4) . Sitting in seventh place with 20 points in 14 games the Sounders are now focused on building momentum.

To that end, the Sounders have to win the winnable games against bottom-feeder teams like Sporting KC. Winnable games in sports are always dangerous. The team not expected to win can play with no pressure. The expected team can put pressure on themselves if they let their opponent hang around.

GAME NOTES

• Seattle hosts Sporting Kansas City Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field in a nationally-televised matchup. It is the 24th meeting between the two sides in MLS regular-season play.

• The clubs have fought to a nearly even record since Seattle joined MLS in 2009, with the Rave Green holding a narrow 10-9-4 advantage in the previous 23 matches. However, SKC has outscored Seattle by a 30-27 margin.

• The two sides have also met up one time in postseason play, with Seattle winning the 2016 Knockout Round 1-0 courtesy of an 88th minute goal by Nelson Valdez.

 • Seattle is currently unbeaten in the first three matches (2-0-1) of its five-game homestand, outscoring its opponents 7-2.

 • Following Saturday’s matchup, the Rave Green conclude their fivematch homestand against CF Montréal on Wednesday, July 29 (7:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).