It has been a rough few days for the Seattle Sounders. Not only were they bounced from Concacaf Champions Cup by Cruz Azul, but they also lost three likely starters to injuries. That includes Paul Arriola, who is almost certainly done for the year after tearing his ACL. It doesn’t include Yeimar Gomez Andrade, who will miss today’s game while dealing with a personal matter in Colombia.

They’ll now face a St. Louis City team that is undefeated and unscored upon through three matches this year. The Sounders have enjoyed a fair amount of success against City, though, going 4-0-0 against the 2023 expansion team.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Paul Arriola - Knee; Reed Baker-Whiting - Hamstring; Pedro de la Vega - Quad; Yeimar Gómez Andrade - Not due to Injury; Jordan Morris - Hamstring

St. Louis City

OUT: Rasmus Alm - Hip; Jake Girdwood-Reich - Ankle; Jay Reid - Foot; Michael Wentzel - Leg

QUESTIONABLE: Joakim Nilsson - Knee

Opposition players to watch

Marcel Hartel: The German came in a bit under the radar, but he was quietly one of the most productive players after his summer arrival. Hartel had three goals and five assists in just nine games. The central midfielder scored his first goal of the season last week.

Henry Kessler: Another somewhat under-the-radar summer acquisition, Kessler has been looking like one of the top American centerbacks over the past five months or so. Kessler plays in the middle of Olof Mellberg’s three-centerback formation.

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Stats to look smart

St. Louis City has been one of the highest-pressing teams in MLS during their first two seasons, but this year they are taking a somewhat less aggressive approach. Although they’ve not yet allowed a goal, they’ve done it while logging just four tackles in the attacking third, which ranks third from the bottom. They also rank in the bottom half of the league in tackles and interceptions.
The Sounders, meanwhile, have been one of the more active defensive teams. They lead MLS in tackles in the attacking third and are 10th in tackles+interceptions.

Tactics to impress

Mellberg has basically traded the high press for more defensive solidity, which starts with a three-centerback set. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are anymore likely to hold the ball for long. St. Louis is mostly interested in sitting deep and looking for counter attacks. They rank near the bottom in both possession and short-passes.
With Yeimar out, the Sounders are likely to switch to more of a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they’ll still likely build out with three centerbacks. The key difference will be how high Paul Rothrock is allowed to stay on the left side.