With the FIFA Club World tournament, a distant memory for the scrappy book the Seattle Sounders is set for their mission of redemption. Missing the playoffs for the first time in club history left players and coaches soul-searching for disappointment. The first obstacle in the Sounder’s path is the Colorado Rapids. The two clubs are no strangers. The two franchises have played 32 times in the regular season (20-8-4) and three times in the postseason with the Rave Green having won all three.
BIG PICTURE
The Sounders will be looking to score early and often. All preseason the team has been on working on transition and getting the ball out wide, so Joao Paulo and Nicolas Lodeiro have plenty of room to distribute. Last year Lodeiro played too wide at times and hindered his ability to see the whole field and distribute the ball from left to right.
GAME NOTES
The Sounders have 15 of their 18 home matches against the Rapids including the last six in a row. Nicolas Lodeiro has scored 10 goals in 10 career matches against the Rapids including the playoffs. Last season he contributed a goal and an assist. The Rapids won just one of 19 road matches last year.
