With a midweek U.S. Open Cup victory behind them, D.C. United are set to face the Seattle Sounders in Week 14 action at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, this Saturday, June 9. The game will be televised on NewsChannel 8, CW Richmond and on ESPN+ starting at 9:30 PM ET.
Seattle will be the second-to-last Western Conference opponent on United's schedule before the much-anticipated opening of Audi Field on July 14. The Sounders have dropped their last four games (three MLS, one Open Cup), and in the process have mustered just one goal. Despite the bitter start to the season for Seattle, they have allowed only 14 goals in 11 matches this MLS season, tied for the second-fewest in the league.
The Black-and-Red have not lost in three straight matches thanks to a 3-1 win in San Jose, a 1-1 draw against LAFC, and a 4-3 penalty kick victory over North Carolina FC in the Open Cup. Now United will look to continue building momentum toward their homecoming at Audi Field with a complete 90-minute performance in Seattle. The Black-and-Red are currently tied for third in the league for road goals with 11, a testament to the team's recent ability to find their offensive rhythm.
Darren Mattocks in particular has been in solid goalscoring form, tallying three goals in the last four matches for United and totaling nine shots in the process. Since the switch to central midfield against Real Salt Lake, Paul Arriola has also elevated his play substantially, netting a goal and dishing two assists in his last three matches and becoming more involved in driving the attack.
A win and a clean sheet on Saturday would be particularly sweet for goalkeeper David Ousted—should the Dane play in Seattle, he will be making his 150th career MLS appearance. While the back line has only secured one clean sheet so far this season, they have had stronger showings in the last two weeks of league action. After being disappointed to follow up their shutout victory over Columbus by conceding multiple goals to Philadelphia and Real Salt Lake, the Black-and-Red defense has locked down again, giving up only one goal to the Earthquakes and the high-powered LAFC offense.
A victory over Seattle would also help United avenge last year's heartbreaking loss and break their dry spell against the Sounders. The Black-and-Red are winless against Seattle in seven straight matches (0-6-1) dating back to 2011.
The Sounders will be somewhat shorthanded come Saturday without midfielder Gustav Svensson (Sweden) and center back Román Torres (Panama), as both gentlemen have been called up for international duties ahead of the 2018 World Cup. However, Seattle will still have their top striker, Will Bruin, available for matchday, as well as playmakers Cristian Roldan and Clint Dempsey. Bruin has three goals and two assists this campaign, Roldan has contributed one goal and three assists thus far, and while Dempsey has not scored yet this season, the American legend always presents a threat in the final third.
Tune in to NewsChannel 8 or CW Richmond this Saturday at 9:30 PM ET to watch the action unfold from CenturyLink Field.
