The Seattle Sounders host Atlanta United on Sunday in the first and only meeting between the two sides during the 2019 MLS regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
MATCHDAY GUIDE
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 12:55 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on ESPN and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 9-5-5 (32 points, 3rd West), United: 9-7-3 (30 points, 3rd East)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WLWLL, Atlanta: DLWLW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 0-0-2 all-time against the Atlanta, drawing their only previous fixture at CenturyLink Field in 2017.
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Rave Green played to a gritty a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15, 2018. Seattle and Atlanta traded chances through the opening period, but the Rave Green who opened the scoring in the 45th minute. The Sounders were awarded a penalty kick, which Nicolás Lodeiro confidently dispatched. The Five Stripes drew level three minutes into the second half, courtesy of a looping header from Josef Martínez. Despite playing down a man for the final 30 minutes, the Rave Green escaped Atlanta with a valuable point, sparking a nine-match win streak.
NEW-LOOK ATLANTA: The reigning MLS Cup champions underwent a massive overhaul in the offseason, selling star player Miguel Almirón to Newcastle United and buying Pity Martínez from River Plate. Head Coach Tata Martino left for the Mexico men’s national team and was replaced by former Ajax boss Frank De Boer.
VULNERABLE AT THE BACK: The Five Stripes have conceded eight goals in their last two games, a 3-3 home draw with the New York Red Bulls and a 5-1 road loss against the Chicago Fire.
The Sounders have turned CenturyLink Field into a fortress this season | Jane Gershovich
PROTECT THIS HOUSE: Along with LAFC and the Houston Dynamo, the Sounders are one of just three teams in the league that remain unbeaten at home.
RAVE MATCH: Sunday is all about the RAVE Foundation, the official charitable arm of Sounders FC. Supporters can bid for player-signed gear and suggest locations for new RAVE Fields (by tagging @RAVEFound and using #Fans4Fields). You can also participate in the “Get a ball, Give a ball” program, where a $20 donation gets you a soccer ball and donates a ball to a child in the Seattle community.
JINGLE BELLS: Seattle picked up its first road win since March 16 on Saturday, defeating Columbus Crew SC 2-1 at MAPFRE Stadium. The Sounders celebrated in typical road fashion.
THE BOYS ARE BACK: For the first time since May, the Sounders will have a full-strength roster, as Raúl Ruidíaz, Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan have completed their international commitments.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT: Young Sounders Homegrowns Danny Leyva (16) and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (17) have gotten opportunities to impress Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. Leyva completed 81.8 percent of his 99 pass attempts, recorded one key pass and six interceptions, and played every minute of his two starts. Ocampo-Chavez impressed in his full debut at Columbus, tallying two key passes and nearly scoring a fantastic goal in the opening minutes.
