With the injury list longer than your average Saturday to-do list the Seattle Sounders will look to gain some momentum by scoring goals when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Philadelphia Union. Still on the mend for the Sounders are Reed Baker-Whiting (left hamstring), Pedro de la Vega (hamstring), Stefan Frei (right hamstring), João Paulo (left hip), Nathan (not due to injury)Braudilio Rodrigues (right hamstring) and Albert Rusnák (right ankle). The only good news from the training table is that Yeimar will be available for minutes.
SOUNDERS NEED TO SCORE GOALS
Head coach Brian Schmetzer will likely insert Raul Ruidiaz for the injured Pedro de la Vega and keep the same line-up he had in last Saturday’s draw with Austin FC. All week the Sounders have been practicing creativity and build-up in the final third. The broken record here is that there is no movement in and around the opponent’s goal box. Not enough players are creating space in the final third with runs inside the opponent’s goal box.
GOAL SCORING IS A TEAM EFFORT
Goal scoring is a team effort that requires runs in and around the box and supporting players to run into the vacated space by teammates.
The good news for the Sounders is that they are getting good looks and the opponent’s goal. The Sounders are averaging five shots on target which is 14th best in the league. Winger Leo Chu has been a bright spot for the team in the first two games. Against Austin FC Chu’s penetrating runs from the wing created opportunities for Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz. Ruidiaz leads the team with three shots on goal ahead of Chu’s two shots on goal.
A TOUGH PLAY TO WIN
The Sounders defense led by Jackson Ragen, Nouhou Xavier Arrega, and Alex Roldan will need another stellar performance. The backline and debutant keeper Andre Thomas pitched a shutout in the goalless draw against Austin FC. The task will be significantly tougher against the Union who are ranked 5th in goals scored per match with a 1.5 average. The Union are unbeaten in five matches which included Tuesday Night’s goalless draw with C. F. Pachuca Leg One of Concacaf Champions Cup. The Union are unbeaten at home in their 11 games. Both teams have yet to secure an MLS victory this season.
GAME NOTES
- The two sides have faced off 12 times in the regular season since theUnion joined MLS in 2010, but have not met since 2019. Seattle holds a 4-5-3 record in those 12 contests. Seattle notably defeated Philadelphia in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
- Alex Roldan is set to make his 100th career regular-season start on Saturday. The Seattle University alumni has solidified himself in Seattle’s iron-clad defense since joining the squad in 2018.
• Following Saturday’s matchup, Seattle returns home for a matchup against the Colorado Rapids on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field on Saturday, March 16 (12:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
