The Seattle Sounders face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, July 19, in their third and final group stage fixture at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1 and TUDN.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-10-8 (56 points, 2nd West), Whitecaps: 8-16-10 (34 points, 12th West)
2020 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 1-1-2 (5 points, 7th West), Whitecaps: 1-2-0 (3 points, 10th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: LDDWW, Vancouver: LWLLW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 11-7-6 all-time against the Whitecaps.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle hosted Vancouver back one June 29, 2019, scraping out a last-gasp 1-0 victory in second-half stoppage time at CenturyLink Field. With a host of key starters away on international duty, the match is best remembered for Homegrown midfielder Danny Leyva’s first MLS start, as the then 16-year-old prospect bossed the middle of the park and scored an audacious chipped goal that was incorrectly called back following Video Review. Seattle dominated the entire match and deserved three points, with Kelvin Leerdam sweeping a shot past the goalkeeper in the 97th minute.
CASCADIA DOMINANCE: The Sounders haven’t lost a match against the Whitecaps since March 19, 2016, posting an 8-2-1 record over the last five seasons.
ROSTER CHANGES: The Whitecaps will be without the services of Toisant Ricketts, Lucas Cavallini and Georgres Mukumbwila, as well as former Sounders Andy Rose and Fredy Montero, all of whom stayed back in Vancouver when the team traveled to Orlando.
MUST-WIN GAME: With just a single point from the Rave Green’s opening two matches, Seattle must pick up three points against Vancouver if they hope to advance to the knockout rounds. Depending on how results in other games shake out, the reigning champs could still secure the No. 2 spot in Group B or finish as one of the top third-placed teams in the tournament.
MORRIS MILESTONE: If Homegrown winger Jordan Morris features in the match, it will be his 100th appearance across all MLS competitions since entering the league in 2016.
HOMEGROWN CONNECTION: Speaking of Morris, the high-flying winger set up the club’s first goal at the MLS is Back Tournament, bursting in behind the Chicago Fire’s defense and teeing up fellow Homegrown Player Handwalla Bwana for a simple finish.
29 GOING ON 30: Raúl RuidÃaz enters the final match of the group stage with 29 goals to his name across all MLS competitions. A goal against the Whitecaps – a club he’s bagged three goals against from three appearances – would push him into elite company in club history.
SOUNDERS FAMILY: If you’re missing the Sounders community on matchdays, you can join a Virtual Fan Event via Zoom with fellow supporters for a second-screen viewing experience during the match. After the game, stick around for an opportunity to chat with a Sounders FC player. Stay tuned for registration info!
