After three weeks of no competitive matches, the Seattle Sounders are back to MLS regular-season play on Sunday night against Atlanta United. A matchup that pits two one-time MLS expansion darlings against each other is theoretically an exciting affair, but in the real world the matches haven't necessarily lived up to the hype. Three of the five matches have ended in a draw, with each club having won once by the score of 2-1.
Atlanta and Seattle really failed to impress in the Leagues Cup. Atlanta only collected one point and failed to get out of the group stage. Seattle, meanwhile, lost to Real Salt Lake and Monterrey.
One key stat
2 - The Sounders have just two goals at home in their last four matches.
Vibe check
If I'm honest, having a break from the Sounders these past few weeks has been nice. This season hasn't been very fun at all after we started off with lofty expectations. However, there are 10 regular-season games left and it does really feel like a last hurrah for this roster. Might as well start off with a win, eh?
How close to full strength is everyone?
- Cristian Roldan might be medically cleared to play but may be held out.
- Atlanta is pretty much full strength.
Projected lineups
Sounders (4-2-3-1): Frei; Nouhou, Ragen, Yeimar, A. Roldan; Rusnak, Joao Paulo; Chu, Lodeiro, Morris; Ruidiaz
Atlanta (4-3-3): Guzan; Wiley, Abram, Robinson, Hernandez; Sosa, Muyumba, Almada; Xande Silva, Giakoumakis, Lennon
What you need to know
Sounders record (4th in the West): 36 pts, 10-8-6 +6 GD
Atlanta record (7th in the East): 35 pts, 9-7-8 +3 GD
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Kickoff time: 7:39pm Pacific Time
Commentators (AppleTV): Mark Followill and Warren Barton
