FULLTIME: Despite a 23-2 shots advantage, the Sounders were forced to settle for a scoreless tie with Austin FC in their home opener on Saturday.

LINEUPS: Pedro de la Vega gets his first MLS start and the Sounders return to their 4-2-3-1 base formation.

The Seattle Sounders and Austin FC are both looking for their first win of 2024 heading into Saturday's game. The Sounders fell 2-1 on the road to LAFC, while Austin dropped a 2-1 decision at home against Minnesota United.

The Sounders will remain a bit short-handed with Stefan Frei, Yeimar Gomez-Andrade, João Paulo and Albert Rusnák all ruled out for the game. Joining them on the absent list will be Nathan, who is currently in Brazil to finalize his green card process. Likely moving into the starting lineup, though, is Pedro de la Vega, who was impressive in his Sounders debut last week. It also looks like Raúl Ruidíaz will at least be available for the match after suffering a rib injury in the LAFC match.

Austin is also likely be without Sebastian Driussi again after he missed the home opener. Austin looked particularly lost in their season opener, managing only three shots in the first half, and were probably lucky to only lose 2-1. Minnesota was credited with seven "big chances" in the match.

Notes

• This will mark the second consecutive week in which replacement referees are utilized after PRO and the PSRA failed to come to agreement this week.
• Austin FC only won three road games last year, but one of them was at Lumen Field, a 2-1 win.
• Osvaldo Alonso will be honored in a pre-match ceremony after he signed a one-day contract in order to retire as a member of the Sounders.
• The Sounders are 10-5-0 in regular-season home openers during their MLS history.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle

OUT: Reed Baker-Whiting (left hamstring); Stefan Frei (right hamstring); João Paulo (left hip); Nathan (not due to injury); Braudilio Rodrigues (right hamstring); Albert Rusnák (right ankle); Yeimar Gómez Andrade (not due to injury)

QUESTIONABLE: ; Raúl Ruidíaz (ribs)

Austin

OUT: Brendan Hines-Ike (not due to injury); Leo Väisänen (foot)

QUESTIONABLE: Sebastián Driussi (right hamstring irritation)

Officials

REF: Rafael Santos; AR1: Raidel Toledo; AR2: Andrew Hanks; 4TH: Christopher Calderon; VAR: TBD; AVAR: TBD.