Coming off a full week of rest after its victory over league-leading D.C. United, Sounders FC faces the Chicago Fire on the road Saturday evening. Chicago is at the bottom of the league table and looking to pick up its first-ever win over Seattle in regular-season action (0-6-3).
Here are three positional battles to watch in Saturday’s contest at Toyota Park.
Zach Scott vs. Mike Magee
Although he has yet to start a game this year, Magee appears healthy in time for this weekend’s clash with the Rave Green. The 2013 MLS MVP has come off the bench in Chicago’s last two MLS matches and also scored a brace in a recent Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victory. A 13-year veteran, Magee had been sidelined for nine months due to hip surgery before returning to action in June. On Saturday he will be defended by another veteran in Scott, who has been wearing the captain’s armband for Seattle while Brad Evans is away with the U.S. National Team.
Osvaldo Alonso vs. Harry Shipp
Sounders FC is 8-2-1 when Alonso starts this season. After missing five straight games with a hamstring injury, the Designated Player was back in the lineup for Seattle’s 1-0 win over D.C. United. He played the full 90 minutes, which was contrary to Sigi Schmid’s original plan but a good sign in terms of his health. Alonso and the Sounders will surely be focused on shutting down Shipp, who netted a brace against Seattle as a rookie in 2014. The Homegrown Player leads Chicago with five assists this year and is tied for third on the team with two goals.
Lamar Neagle vs. Sean Johnson
A longtime member of the Fire, Johnson has been hindered by injuries this season but will likely be in the lineup for the third straight game on Saturday. The 26-year-old goalkeeper will be aiming to earn Chicago’s first clean sheet since May 30. He could be heavily tested by Neagle, who leads MLS with 66 percent of his shots landing on frame this season. Neagle has played both forward and winger during the absences of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, and the Federal Way native figures to be a key part of the Seattle attack on Saturday.
