Sounders looking for a strong start and finish against Colorado Rapids.

The Sounders played arguably their best half of the season in their  3-2 win over Sporting  Kansas City. That is the good news. The bad news is that the team’s second-half performance was one of its poorest. The Sounders returned home with their third road win of the season, and in the end, that is all that mattered.

FRONT FOOT

Back in the friendly confines of Lumen Field, where they have lost just one MLS game, the Sounders are looking to continue their winning ways.  The Rave Green will play two games in four days. First up is the Colorado Rapids ( 8-10—5, 29pts), who are seventh in the Western Conference. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw at Colorado on April 26th. The Rapids are coming – with an impressive 3-0 win over third-place Vancouver Whitecaps (11-5-5, 38 points). The Sounders will look to start on the front foot as they always do at home.

ANOTHER SHUFFLED DECK DUE TO RED CARDS

The backline will be without Nouhou, who was issued a red card for throwing the ball into the stands in the Sporting KC game. Reed Baker-Whiting is the most likely replacement.  The Sounders have seen a player issued a red card in their last four MLS games.

The big question will be whether Yeimar returns to the line-up alongside Jackson Ragen.  Alex Roldan will mostly start at right back, and it will be curious to see if Schmetzer continues to use him as an extra pivot in the midfield.

 The strategy was effective in the first half against Sporting Kansas City. Midfielder Djorde Mihailovic is an efficient and clinical player who is the linchpin of the Rapids’ attack.  If the Sounders can make him work on defense with intentional ball possession and a clinical counterattack, Mihailovic and the Rapids’ attack will have a long day.

A COMPLETE GAME

The key for the Sounders will be to play a complete game from start to finish, with no let-up on either end of the pitch. To do that, the team must play sharp, crisp, and expansive soccer. And communicate on defense.


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