The Seattle Sounders will run out a near full-strength lineup this evening against Sporting Kansas City with Servando Carrasco sliding in for Erik Friberg and Zach Scott giving Patrick Ianni a night off. Friberg is available and will likely be Sigi Schmid's "energy" sub this but asking him to go on short rest after playing 120 minutes at his usual high-energy level would have been a lot to ask.
Zach Scott will be the player to keep an eye on this evening; Sporting KC's most dangerous attacks tend to come down the flanks and Sigi Schmid has strengthened the shield in midfield with Carrasco, but Scott has had his struggles and is making only his second-ever MLS start as a center back. One of the biggest hurdles for Seattle to overcome will be fatigue; short rest and high heat are a recipe for some pretty serious difficulty.
Seattle Sounders Starting XI:
Kasey Keller; James Riley, Jeff Parke, Zach Scott, Tyson Wahl; Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez; Fredy Montero, Roger Levesque
Sounders Bench:
Mike Fucito, Patrick Ianni, Erik Friberg, Nate Jaqua, Pat Noonan, Lamar Neagle, Josh Ford
Sporting Kansas City Starting XI:
Jimmy Nielsen, Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Julio Cesar, Michael Harrington; Birahim Diop, Graham Zusi, Jeferson, Omar Bravo; Kei Kamara, C.J. Sapong
SKC Bench:
Eric Kronberg, Teal Bunbury, Milos Stojcev, Chance Myers, Daneil Cyruss, Luke Sassano, Soony Saad