The Seattle Sounders will take on Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City (5:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, El Rey 1360AM) trying to snap a two-game losing skid. Here are three matchups to watch:
Nicolas Lodeiro vs. Ilie Sanchez
The Sounders’ No. 10 will have a formidable opponent in Ilie, Sporting KC’s Spanish offseason acquisition who came up through Barcelona’s academy system. Sitting above the back four in true defensive midfielder fashion, Ilie has led SKC to six shutouts and only seven goals allowed in 11 matches. Lodeiro, meanwhile, has been his productive self in 2017, scoring three times and assisting on four more in 10 games.
Jordy Delem vs. Gerso Fernandes
Another one of SKC’s offseason signings, Gerso has been tremendous through the first quarter of the season. A left winger in a 4-3-3 formation, Gerso has two goals and has been crucial in adding width to Sporting’s attack. Delem missed the Sounders’ loss at the Chicago Fire on Saturday with a yellow-card suspension, and his main responsibility will be keeping Gerso in check so the two center backs can focus on slowing down center forward Dom Dwyer.
Clint Dempsey vs. Ike Opara
Dempsey has picked up in 2017 right where he left off last season, scoring four goals and assisting on one more in nine starts. The U.S. international tallied the Sounders’ lone goal last Saturday on a gorgeous strike from outside the box, but will have a tough task against one of this season’s best center backs. MLS named Opara its top defender so far this season, and he anchors one of the league’s best back fours.
