Unbeaten in its last four MLS matches (3-0-1), Sounders FC is on the road this weekend for a critical battle with Sporting Kansas City (Sunday, 2 pm PDT; ESPN). The Sounders are aiming to avenge their 1-0 loss to SKC in June and continue climbing up the standings with just four games remaining in the 2015 regular season.
Here are three positional battles that could be deciding factors in Sunday’s game.
Oniel Fisher vs. Graham Zusi
A key member of the U.S. national team at last year’s World Cup, Zusi could be matched up with a rookie out on the wing Sunday afternoon. Oniel Fisher is an experienced rookie, however, and the 23-year-old has represented Jamaica at the senior national team level and has started every game for the Sounders since Aug. 16. With playmaking midfielder Benny Feilhaber suspended due to yellow-card accumulation, much of the spotlight turns to Zusi ahead of Sunday’s match. Zusi has been in a bit of a slump lately, scoring just once in his last 11 appearances.
Obafemi Martins vs. Kevin Ellis
Feilhaber isn’t the only SKC star who will miss Sunday’s game. Veteran defender Matt Besler is also suspended, leaving the home side without a key member of its backline for a clash with arguably the best striker duo in the league. Ellis will have the tall task of containing Obafemi Martins, who has scored six goals in six matches since returning from injury in August. The Sounders were shut out in their first two meetings with SKC this season, but Besler was on the field for both of those games and Martins was not.
Seattle centerbacks vs. Dom Dwyer
After notching the second-most goals in MLS during a breakout 2014 season (22), Dwyer has had another solid campaign for Sporting KC. He's with Feilhaber for the team lead with 10 goals this year and he set up the winning goal in SKC’s victory over the Sounders earlier this year, colliding with goalkeeper Stefan Frei inside the box to earn a penalty kick. Whether it’s Brad Evans or Zach Scott lining up alongside Chad Marshall at centerback for the Rave Green, the duo must be wary of Dwyer on Sunday.
