Everything you need to know ahead of Crew-Sounders
It has not been a particularly positive couple weeks for the Seattle Sounders, who are coming off two dispiriting losses as well as some negative news from the locker room. They’ll get a chance to turn things around when they face arguably the best team in MLS today.
The Columbus Crew are absolutely rolling right now, coming off a Leagues Cup trophy that comes on the back of a trip to the Concacaf Champions Cup final and a MLS Cup victory. But they’re also missing eight players to a combination of suspension, injury and international duty. Of those eight players, six are virtually guaranteed starters, one is a top reserve and three are goalkeepers. The Sounders are missing four potential starters of their own, but it’s a trade that seemingly levels the field at least a bit.
Here’s what you need to know:
Availability news
Sounders
OUT: Stefan Frei - Concussion; Nouhou - International duty; João Paulo - Calf; Raúl Ruidíaz - Knee; Obed Vargas - International duty
Crew
OUT: Malte Amundsen - Suspended; Evan Bush - Arm; Mo Farsi - International duty; Nicholas Hagen - International duty; Cucho Hernandez - International duty; Steven Moreira - International duty; Jacen Russell-Rowe - International duty; Patrick Shulte - International duty.
Stats to look smart
- Since Wilfred Nancy took over as the Crew head coach to start 2023, they’ve lost just 2 of 42 games at Lower.com Field across all competitions, an overall record of 28-2-12.
- The Sounders have an all-time record of 5-3-1 in Columbus, which includes a win in their only previous trip to Lower.com Field. The Sounders won that 2021 meeting 2-1 behind two very late goals.
Tactics to impress
- Regardless of how many players the Crew may be missing, one constant in how they play is they want the ball. They lead MLS with an average of 59.8% of possession per match and have only dropped below 54% twice, and never at home.
- While the Sounders have not been nearly as explosive on the counter-attack as they have wanted this year, they have been at their best when they do get transition opportunities. This might actually be a wonderful opportunity for them to use some of those skills.