The Seattle Sounders are visiting the Philadelphia Union on Saturday in their third match of the 2024 MLS season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. PT at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 0-1-1 (1 point, 11th West), Union: 0-2-0 (2 points, 9th East)
PREVIOUS MEETING: Partially due to COVID-19 scheduling restrictions, this will be the first meeting between the two cross-country sides in almost five years. Seattle played to a scoreless draw in Philadelphia on May 18, 2019.
BACK TO DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: After conceding just 32 goals last season, which tied for the fewest in MLS, the Sounders earned their first clean sheet of the season last week in a scoreless draw with Austin FC. Seattle held the visitors to just 0.1 Expected Goals on only two total shots.
REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY?: After missing the first two matches of the season, goalkeeper Stefan Frei, defender Yeimar and midfielders Albert Rusnák and João Paulo could be nearing a return to game action. The Sounders could use their veteran savvy against a talented and experienced Union side.
ATENCIO SHINING: Sounders Homegrown central midfielder Josh Atencio has looked sharp in his two starts so far this season. Despite the aforementioned injury to João Paulo, Atencio has held his own. Against Austin, the 22-year-old led the Sounders in shots with six, completed passes with 72 and tied for the team lead with three key passes.
CARDIAC KIDS: The Union have drawn both of their MLS matches this season with tying goals in the dying embers of the game. In the season-opener, Dániel Gazdag scored in the third minute of stoppage time to lead Philly to a 2-2 draw at home with the Chicago Fire, while last weekend Alejandro Bedoya found the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to gut out a 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City.
MIDWEEK CCC: The Sounders catch the Union in the middle of a home-and-home series with Liga MX’s CF Pachuca in the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup. After defeating Costa Rican side Saprissa, the Union will host Pachuca this Tuesday before traveling to Estadio Hidalgo in Mexico for the return leg next Tuesday.
PLAYER TO WATCH: There will likely be rotation in Head Coach Jim Curtin’s side when the Sounders come to town, but look for Gazdag to make an impact for however long he’s on the pitch. The Hungarian international is an elite attacking midfielder and has scored 41 goals in 91 MLS appearances. He’s combined for 36 goals and 21 assists over the past two MLS campaigns.
