New York Red Bulls
- Record: 4-2-5, 17 points, third place in Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Loss, 2-0 vs. Philadelphia Union
- Record in Last Five Matches: 1-2-2
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (5)
- Assist Leader: Felipe/Bradley Wright-Phillips/Lloyd Sam (3)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (25)
Seattle Sounders
- Record: 7-3-2, 23 points, first place in Western Conference
- Previous Match: Win, 1-0 vs. Colorado Rapids
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-1-2
- Leading Goal Scorer: Clint Dempsey (7)
- Assist Leader: Clint Dempsey, Marco Pappa (5)
- Saves Leader: Stefan Frei (48)
Scouting Seattle
The Seattle Sounders have kicked it into high gear recently, and now lead the Supporter’s Shield race after a 1-0 midweek win over Colorado. The club has utilized a 4-4-2 formation to this point, taking advantage of one of the league’s premier attacking duos, Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. The pair were shutout in the win over Colorado, but a 16th minute goal by Marco Pappa was more than enough for MLS saves-leader Stefan Frei, who recorded his seventh shutout this season.
Sounders FC dominated possession against the Rapids. In the first half, Seattle maintained 76% of possession and completed 426 passes compared to Colorado’s 135.
The 426 passes for Seattle was the most for an MLS team in a half in five years.
Players to Watch
The Red Bulls were shutout for the first time two weeks ago in Dallas, and were unable to break through last weekend against Philadelphia. RBNY will look to get back on track against a Seattle defense that has allowed nine goals through 12 games, and conceded just three at home.
The last time the Red Bulls scored was the 2-1 win over New York City FC. It was Bradley Wright-Phillips who catalyzed the Red Bulls’ offense with the team’s two goals, with Lloyd Sam earning two assists.
For Seattle, Clint Dempsey leads the team in goals and assists, and is the focal point of the Sounders’ offense. Not only is he excellent with the ball and in isolated situations, but he’s been instrumental in the success of his teammates as well – most notably Obafemi’s Martins six goals.
