Seattle Sounders vs Montreal Impact
7 pm PST Saturday, March 31, CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Records:
Seattle: 0-2-0, -4 GD (12th in West)
Montreal: 1-2-0, -1 GD (7th in East)
Key injuries/absences:
Seattle’s attacking lineup gets thinner by the week as Clint Dempsey is suspended for the red card he received at FC Dallas. The Sounders may also be without the services of midfielders Nicolas Lodeiro (foot) and Victor Rodriguez (knee). Forward Will Bruin (concussion), however, may be good to go, according to head coach Brian Schmetzer.
Montreal lost defender Zakaria Diallo, an import from France’s Ligue 2, to an Achilles injury sustained during preseason training. The Impact are getting healthier, however, as defender Kyle Fisher (tibia) was the only other player listed on last week’s MLS injury report.
Key players:
Seattle needs its back line to return to its steady self as the defending Western Conference champs were reduced to 10 men after Dempsey’s ejection and let in three goals against Dallas. Seattle is coming off a two-week break, so expect CBs Chad Marshall and Roman Torres to be fully fit and rested. Fullbacks Nouhou and Kelvin Leerdam will be asked to provide width in the Seattle attack and defensive cover when the Impact get forward. If Bruin can’t play, Lamar Neagle could get the start at forward. The former Impact man (0 goals, 4 shots) will need to provide more of a threat than he has thus far.
Montreal is coming off its first win of 2018, a 1-0 triumph at home over Canadian rival Toronto FC. The Impact were bouyed by Jeisson Vargas – the 20-year-old Chilean striker knocked in the only goal of the match in a surprise start. It’s anyone’s guess, however, whether Vargas starts again over the veteran Matteo Mancuso. Whoever gets the nod will look to pair with the dangerous Ignacio Piatti around the area. Center-back Rod Fanni earned plaudits after helping to contain Toronto’s Jozy Altidore last time out. GK Evan Bush may need to make a save or two as the Impact gave up five goals in their first two road matches.
Key stats:
36.5: Montreal’s share of possession vs. Toronto – on the Impact’s home pitch, nonetheless. It still resulted in 3 points for the Impact, but they’ll likely need to stay close to 50-50 possession, as they had at Vancouver and Columbus, to have a good chance at the Clink.
34: The number of shots Sounders FC launched in their first two matches. Alas, none found the net and a third shutout in a row would raise some serious questions. Getting the first goal is paramount for the Rave Green.
Seattle Sounders FC
Montreal Impact
