Matchday 5 preview: SKC vs Seattle

Who: Sporting Kansas City vs. Seattle Sounders

What: 2023 MLS Regular Season | Match 5

When: Saturday, March 25 | 7:30 p.m. CT (7:39 kickoff)

Where: Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kan.

Watch: Apple TV MLS Season Pass

Listen: English Radio | ESPN 94.5 FM/1510 AM – Spanish Radio | La Grande 1340 AM

Sporting Kansas City returns home to host Western Conference foe Seattle Sounders FC Saturday. Both teams are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season, missing the playoffs. Seattle enters the match with a 2-1-1 (seven points) record while Sporting KC is still looking for their first win with a 0-2-2 (two points) record.

After a 1-0 loss in the season opener, Sporting KC managed two strong defensive efforts with scoreless draws in Colorado and at home against the Galaxy. The trip to Dallas seemed like a one step forward and two steps back situation when Daniel Salloi scored SKC’s first goal of 2023, but the defense surrendered two goals.

Seattle started strong with 4-0 and 2-0 wins over the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake respectively. The Sounders have struggled in their last two with a 1-0 lost in Cincinnati and a scoreless draw against LAFC.

This is the second road game for the Sounders. The visitors have not played well on the road, losing five straight away games and are winless in 10 consecutive road games (0-9-1). SKC on the other hand have a seven-game unbeaten streak at home (6-0-1).

While SKC has struggled in the scoring department and it’s not for a lack of trying, it may be the result of poor shot selection. They lead MLS in shots (69) and shots on target (29) but are 13^th in expected goals with 4.57.

Availability:

Both teams will be missing players but mostly for very different reasons. Seattle has six players missing for International Duty with one questionable for a hamstring. SKC has one call up (Tzionis by Cyprus) and several questionable or out for various injuries.

The “possible” big news will could be Alan Pulido returning to the game day lineup. Pulido indicated on social media that he would be in the game day roster and both he and Johnny Russell were seen in practice forming a front line with Salloi.

With the length of time that Pulido has been out it is likely he starts on the bench if he even gets time. Russell has yet to play this season, but he was injured in the last preseason game so will not be as far away from game shape. Tim Leibold is also listed as questionable and could make the bench or start as well.

Sporting KC

QUESTIONABLE

DEF – Tim Leibold (Hamstring Injury)

FWD – Alan Pulido (Knee Injury)

FWD – Johnny Russell (Hamstring Injury)

OUT

DEF – Kortne Ford (Achilles Surgery)

DEF – Logan Ndenbe (Hamstring Injury)

DEF – Kayden Pierre (Hamstring Injury)

MID – Gadi Kinda (Knee Injury)

FWD – Marinos Tzionis (International Duty – Cyprus)

Seattle

QUESTIONABLE

Héber Left Hamstring Strain

OUT

Xavier Arreaga International Duty

Reed Baker-Whiting International Duty

Nouhou International Duty

Alex Roldan International Duty

Raúl Ruidíaz International Duty

Obed Vargas International Duty

Officials:

Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Assistant ref: Chris Wattam

Assistant ref: Meghan Mullen

4th official: Jon Freemon

VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

Alex Chilowicz has officiated three MLS matches this season, including Seattle’s home opener. He has handed out five yellows, three of them in one match. The last two SKC matches he officiated were SKC losses on the road (Seattle and Colorado).