The Seattle Sounders will be looking to end a three-game winless run during their first-ever match against expansion side San Diego FC, who have 11 points through six matches. San Diego are the top possession team in the league so far and also one of the top pressing teams.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Paul Arriola (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: Jordan Morris (hamstring), Danny Musovski (back)

San Diego FC

OUT: Ema Boateng (lower body), Luca Bombino (lower body), Milan Iloski (lower body), Marcus Ingvartsen (lower body)

Opposition players to watch

Anders Dreyer: The Designated Player has definitely hit the ground running. Although there wasn’t a ton of hype around him, Dreyer has already scored three goals and added an assist while coming in off the right wing.

Onni Valakari: The Finnish central midfielder came to San Diego on loan and has only been increasing his value. He now has a goal or an assist in four straight games, including a goal and an assist in the most recent match.

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Stats to look smart

+3.7 xGD: It’s always tempting to to discount a hot start by an expansion team, but the underlying numbers really like San Diego. That’s probably best illustrated by their expected goal-difference, which is fourth best in all of MLS.

+3.4 xGD: For all the Sounders’ struggles, the underlying numbers actually really like the Sounders. Their expected goal-difference is effectively even with San Diego, headlined by their 5.4 xGA that is third lowest in MLS.

Tactics to impress

It’s been well established that San Diego like to have the ball — they lead MLS with an average of 61% possession — but what makes that so effective is that so much of their passing is forward and into dangerous areas. This is not a team that just likes to ping the ball around the back, but one that is more than happy to push into the attack.
The big question surrounding the Sounders this week will be what they do with the No. 9 position. Although he apparently traveled, Danny Musovski barely trained this week which opens the door for someone else to start. Expect Georgi Minoungou and Jesús Ferreira to sort of share the role, with both spending time on the wing and up top.