The Seattle Sounders are heading east to take on D.C. United on Saturday in their first and only meeting of the season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. PT at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 1-4-3 (6 points, 12th West), D.C.: 2-3-4 (10 points, 11th East)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: LDWLL, D.C.: LLDWD
PREVIOUS MEETING: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and MLS scheduling, this will be the first meeting between the two cross-country clubs in almost five years. D.C. defeated the Sounders 2-0 at Audi Field on Sept. 22, 2019, behind goals from Lucas RodrÃguez and Frédéric Brillant.
RAGEN AND A. ROLDAN SUSPENDED: Seattle will be without defenders Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan this weekend after each was sent off last Saturday in the club’s 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
EAST COAST SWING: Following the match in D.C., the Sounders will head north to Philadelphia to take on the Union on April 30 to resume their match in March that was abandoned due to inclement weather.
JOÃO PAULO RETURNS TO THE XI: The Sounders got a boost last week after central midfielder João Paulo made his first start of the season against the Whitecaps. The Brazilian missed the opening month with a hip injury and went 63 minutes as he works his way back to full fitness.
NEW MAN IN CHARGE: D.C. is led by first-year Head Coach Troy Lesesne, who managed the New York Red Bulls last season.
EXPECTED GOALS GALORE: D.C. United have the most Expected Goals in MLS at 18.45, according to American Soccer Analysis. The Black and Red have been snakebit in front of goal, however, having scored just 12 times. Only the San Jose Earthquakes are underperforming their GD-xGD worse than D.C. this season.
BIG MAN BENTEKE: Forward Christian Benteke leads D.C. United with six goals this season. The 33-year-old former Belgium international came to MLS with a ton of pedigree, having previously plied his trade in the English Premier League with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace. He has 21 goals in 45 matches since arriving in the U.S. capital in 2022.
