The Seattle Sounders are hosting D.C. United on Wednesday in their first and only meeting of the 2017 MLS regular season. Here is everything you need to know about the match.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE WATCH: The game will be televised on Q13 FOX.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 6-7-6 (24 points, 7th West), D.C.: 5-11-3 (18 points, 11th East).
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 7-2-2 all time against D.C. United including a 3-1-1 home record.
RECENT MEETINGS: The Sounders defeated D.C. 2-0 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., last June behind second-half goals from Jordan Morris and Joevin Jones.
SHUTOUT STREAK: Seattle has shut out D.C. United in six consecutive matches dating back to 2011. The Sounders scored nine goals in that span and are 5-0-1.
MISSING INTERNATIONALS: The Sounders will be without forwards Morris (USA) and Clint Dempsey (USA), as well as right back Oniel Fisher (Jamaica), as all are away on international duty for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Cristian Roldan (USA) returned following the group stage after head coach Bruce Arena made six changes to his roster. Defender Jordy Delem has also returned after Martinique failed to advance to the knockout round.
D.C. United will also be without goalkeeper Bill Hamid (USA) after he started and recorded a shutout against Nicaragua in the final match of the group stage.
NEAGLE RETURNS: Former Sounders forward Lamar Neagle will return on Wednesday for the first time as an opponent. Neagle, 30, is a Federal Way, Wash., native and had three separate stints with the Sounders (2009, 2011, 2013-15). He scored 26 goals in 116 regular-season appearances in Rave Green.
FIRST-HALF STRUGGLES: D.C. United enter Wednesday’s clash last in the Eastern Conference with just 18 points from 19 matches (0.95 PPG). They are tied with Minnesota United as teams with the fewest league points. D.C. has also lost three straight MLS games and has just one win its last seven.
FORWARD HELP: D.C. signed Jamaican striker Deshorn Brown on June 20 after trading with the Houston Dynamo for the No. 1 slot in the allocation order. Brown joined from USL side the Tampa Bay Rowdies and has one goal in four appearances so far for the Black and Red.
ROOKIE SENSATION: D.C. Homegrown Player Ian Harkes has impressed in his first professional season. He has one goal and one assist in 17 matches from center midfield, and the former MAC Hermann Trophy winner and son of U.S. national team legend John has transitioned smoothly from college to the pro ranks.
TRENDING UP: The Sounders are looking to extend their MLS unbeaten streak to four games on Wednesday. Seattle is 4-2-2 in its last eight and playing its best soccer of the season.
BIONIC BRUIN: After returning from missing two games due to an elbow dislocation, Will Bruin has three goals and an assist in his last five matches. His mark of six goals this season is second on the team behind Dempsey’s seven.
ROLDAN RETURNS: After earning his first U.S. cap in a 3-2 win over Martinique in the group stage of the Gold Cup, Roldan returns ready to refocus with Seattle. Prior to missing the Sounders’ match against the Colorado Rapids on July 4 because of international duty, Roldan had started 43 consecutive games and played 3,883 out of a possible 3,900 minutes.
