The Sounders are looking to exact some payback Saturday night when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps for the second time in less than a month. The first time the two Cascadia Rivals faced off the Sounders were on the short end of a humiliating 2-0 loss on April 20 at Lumen Field. Since that loss the two teams have headed in opposite directions. The Sounders have won two, lost two, and drawn once in the last five games. The Whitecaps have recorded one victory, two draws, and two losses.
WHO WILL START AT CENTEBACK?
Jonathan Bell has started the last three games at center back with the Sounders winning two of the three games. Bell was solid in the club U.S . Open Cup game and continued to grow into the position in the win over the Timbers. In the team’s loss to Real Salt Lake Bell made good decisions and looked comfortable playing alongside Jackson Ragen who started the game and Yeimar who replaced Ragen late in the second half. After Friday’s practice, head coach Brian Schmetzer said a legitimate competition is at center back. Ragen has made some dubious decisions when tackling in the Sounder’s defensive half while Yeimar has been caught out of position on counterattacks.
WHAT IMPACT WILL PEDRO DE LA VEGA HAVE?
The long and awaited return of Pedro de la Vega is scheduled to happen at some point during Saturday’s match. Sounders fans and teammates were given a tease when the Argentinian was given his first start against Austin FC in week two after scoring his club debut a week earlier against LAFC. His free-flowing, magical dribbling skills and knack to run at defenders was a cruel tease. After playing 63 minutes in the draw with Austin FC head coach Brian Schmetzer announced during the following practice session that his budding star would miss 6-8 weeks. Fast forward to last Friday’s practice, Schmetzer said de la Vega would play on Saturday.
CAN A RESTED RAUL RUIDIAZ FIND RETURN TO FORM?
Raul Ruidiaz leads the squad with seven goals and seems to have found his rhythm, scoring three goals in the last three games. Schmetzer rested his marksmen in the loss to Real Salt Lake because of the importance of the Vancouver game. A rested Ruidiaz will could spark the Sounders needed to exact revenge on the Whitecaps. If Ruidiaz is to have his way with the Whitecap’s defense, Albert Rusnack Obed Vargas who also sat out the Real game will need to be diligent in their defending and passing the ball. Cristian Roldan saw limited action in the Real game and like Ruidiaz had a goal in the Timbers game. A rested Roldan should have the legs to play from box to box and put pressure on the Whitecap’s midfield.
HEAD TO HEAD MATCH-UP
| TEAMS | SOUNDERS FC | Vancouver Whitecaps |
| Records | 3-6-4 | 5-4-3 |
| Last Five Games | 2-2-1 | 1-2-2 |
| Goal For / Against / Differential | -1 (15/16) | +4 (18/14) |
| Leading Scorer | Ruidiaz (7) | White (5) |
| Leading Assists | Rusnack (4) | Raposo (3) |
Seattle Sounders FC INJURY REPORT
- OUT: Josh Atencio (hamstring)
- OUT: Leo Chu (adductor)
- OUT: Nathan (quad)
- OUT: Braudilio Rodrigues (hamstring)
- QUESTIONABLE: Pedro de la Vega (hamstring)
- QUESTIONABLE: Yeimar Gómez Andrade (quad)
BIG TAKE
Schmetzer rested six of his first team players after the Timbers win in the club’s midweek clash with Real Salt who started their first team. Three games in six days will test any club’s depths. On Saturday the question of whether was Schmetzer too cautious in resting so many players will be answered. Schmetzer will have another tough decision to make in the midfield with Josh Atencio ruled out for the game.
- Mariners win-streak ends as George Kirby struggles in 7-1 loss
- Seattle Storm’s Rookie Star Shines in Tough Loss
- Mariners former top-rated prospect starts over with AL West rival
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Iconic Players and Newcomers Revealed
- Mariners rolling but still cannot escape ongoing injury curse
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
