The Seattle Sounders wrap up their road trip at New York Red Bulls on Sunday after returning from the Copa America Centenario international break. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the game.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be telecast on FS1. Check out a full list of Sounders FC Pub Partners.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will be aired on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, with a pregame show beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT. The game will also be broadcast on El Rey 1360AM in Spanish.
RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders (5-7-1, 16 pts., 9th in Western Conference), Red Bulls (6-7-1, 19 pts., 2nd in Eastern Conference)
ALL-TIME HISTORY: In a tight all-time series, the Sounders lead with a 4-3-3 record against Red Bulls since 2009. The Sounders also claimed three points in the last meeting in 2015, when forward Chad Barrett knocked in a game-winner in extra time at CenturyLink Field.
HIT REFRESH: Sunday’s match will be the first time that either team has taken the field in MLS play since the Copa America Centenario opened June 3. For the Sounders, the break couldn’t have come at a better time, as defenders Chad Marshall, Brad Evans, and Zach Scott were all struggling with injury before the tournament began. Additionally, forwards Nelson Valdez and Oalex Anderson were also sidelined at the time of the break.
INJURY UPDATE: The Copa America break did wonders for the Sounders as their defensive core got some much needed R&R. Valdez also got some much needed rest and even played some minutes in the tournament. He did not play in Paraguay’s final match but head coach Sigi Schmid indicated that he returned to Sounders camp healthy and ready to go. The only question mark will be Anderson, who suffered a hamstring strain against Colorado on May 21. and has not been a full participant in training since the incident.
ONE NATION, UNDER DEMPSEY: Valdez may be back from international duty after Paraguay was eliminated in the group stage, but the Sounders will once again play without forward Clint Dempsey. The United States defeated Ecuador on Thursday night to advance to the semifinals of Copa America on Tuesday against either Argentina or Venezuela. Dempsey currently has three goals in the tournament and counting, tied with Lionel Messi for first in the Golden Boot standings.
DYNAMIC DUO: Before the break, the Sounders earned a decisive victory away at D.C. United for their first road win of the season. Forward Jordan Morris and defender Joevin Jones led the way to victory with goals in the 79th minute and 83rd minute, respectively. Morris leads the Sounders in scoring with now five on the season and is one game-winner away from tying an MLS record for game-winners scored by a rookie. Jones meanwhile, has been reborn as a substitute left winger. Including US Open Cup play, Jones now has goals in back to back games coming in as a sub on the left wing in loo of his usual starting position at left back.
RUNNING OF THE BULLS: There’s no denying it; the Red Bulls are on fire. After beginning the season 1-6-0, they have since gone 5-1-1 and now sit in second in the East with 19 points. They are 5-2-0 at home this season, though they will play without designated player Gonzalo Verón due to red card suspension.
BWP FOR THREE: When the Sounders travel over to Red Bull Arena they will certainly have their eye on striker Bradley Wright-Phillips who, like his club, has been on a tear after a slow start. Wright-Phillips went goalless in his first seven games but has since put away eight in seven matches, including setting an MLS record for fastest hat trick at 27 minutes in their last match before the Copa break.
MARSCH-LAND: On Friday, the Red Bulls extended the contract of head coach Jesse Marsch, making him one of three coaches in club history to spend more than two seasons at the helm. Marsch is currently in his second year after winning the Supporters’ Shield in his first. “He’s done a good job,” said Schmid. “They’ve really changed their mentality from a standpoint of ‘Okay, we’re no longer going to be a club of superstars, we’re going to roll our sleeves up, work hard, play good soccer, and try to get results that way.’”
