The Seattle Sounders are visiting the Colorado Rapids on Sunday in their first meeting of the 2021 season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and Prime Video.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 7-0-4 (25 points, 1st West), Colorado: 5-3-1 (16 points, 4th West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders fell 3-1 at Colorado on Nov. 1, 2020. Jordan Morris scored for Seattle, but the Rapids took all three points at home behind goals from Andre Shinyashiki, Keegan Rosenberry and Cole Bassett.
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Sounders: DWWDD, Rapids: LWWLW
PERUVIAN PLAYMAKER: Since being left off Peru’s squad for Copa América, Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz has scored in three straight matches. He enters the weekend second in MLS in goals scored this season with nine and now has 50 career tallies for Seattle.
ATENCIO RETURNS: A good sign for the Sounders in their 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday was the return of Josh Atencio. After starting the first two matches of the campaign, the 19-year-old Homegrown midfielder missed seven contests because of injury but returned to the starting lineup with a strong showing, including earning his first MLS assist on Ruidíaz’s opening goal.
BEST START CONTINUES: The Sounders’ 11-match undefeated run to start the season is the best in their MLS franchise history and they remain the lone unbeaten team in the league. They head into the weekend first in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
STREAK RESET: After seeing their shutout streak from the run of play end at 949 minutes when the Whitecaps scored their first goal of the match last weekend, the Sounders will be looking to get a new streak started and lock up defensively yet again.
BARRIOS RESURGENCE: After scoring just once in 21 matches last season, Michael Barrios has found new life in 2021 with two goals and three assists already this year. The former longtime FC Dallas attacker has benefited from a change of scenery and has been a key contributor in Colorado’s early success.
ACOSTA ASCENDING: Speaking of former FC Dallas mainstays, Kellyn Acosta has seen his form return to his FCD heyday. The 25-year-old is coming off a successful stint with the United States national team, helping the U.S. to the Concacaf Nations League title.
THE KIDS ARE (MORE THAN) ALL RIGHT: The Rapids are led by a pair of Homegrowns in Bassett and Sam Vines. Bassett has two goals and an assist in nine matches from midfield, while Vines has chipped in a goal himself from his left fullback position.
