Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Major League Soccer clash between Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Seattle Sounders will be looking to pick up three wins on the bounce for the first time since April 2023 when they play host to New England Revolution at Lumen Field on Saturday.
While they all ended in stalemates, the last three meetings between the two sides have seen a combined 12 goals scored, and we anticipate another action-packed contest this weekend.
Match preview
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Seattle Sounders continue their surge into the top half of the Western Conference standings as they fought back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire Sunday morning.
Maren Haile-Selassie broke the deadlock in the 30th minute to put Chicago Fire ahead at Lumen Field but Slovakian midfielder Albert Rusnak scored two second-half penalties to turn the game on its head.
The Sounders have now gone unbeaten in each of their last four matches, picking up three wins and one draw since they were narrowly beaten 2-1 loss against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on June 9.
With 28 points from 21 MLS matches, Seattle Sounders are currently ninth in the Western Conference standings but could move level on points with fourth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps should they claim the win this weekend.
However, Brian Schmetzer‘s men go up against an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in each of their last four encounters, losing once and claiming three draws since a 3-0 victory in March 2015.
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New England Revolution, on the other hand, returned to winning ways on Thursday morning when they held firm to see out a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United when the sides squared off at the Gillette Stadium.
In an action-packed contest, Albanian striker Giacomo Vrioni continued his fine form in front of goal as he scored twice in the first half to put the hosts in front before Daniel Rios pulled one back for Atlanta United with a 90th-minute strike.
Prior to that, New England Revolution saw their run of four consecutive league wins come to an end on June 30, when they suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss at home against Columbus Crew.
The Revs have won seven of their 19 MLS matches so far while losing 11 and claiming one draw to collect 22 points and sit 11th in the East, level on points with 12th-placed Montreal and just two points above rock-bottom DC United.
While Caleb Porter‘s side will be looking to move into the top half of the Eastern Conference table, they will have to be at their best against a Seattle Sounders side who are unbeaten in their last eight home games, claiming five wins and three draws since the start of May.
Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:
New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:
Team News
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Seattle Sounders will take to the pitch without 24-year-old forward Braudilio Rodrigues, who has missed each of the last six matches through a hamstring injury.
With his brace against Chicago Fire last weekend, Rusnak now has nine goal involvements in his last 10 games and the 29-year-old will be one to watch this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Revs remain without several players down the spine of the team as Ema Boateng (hamstring), Carles Gil (leg), Peyton Miller (thigh) and Tomas Chancalay (knee) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Canadian midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye missed the game against Atlanta United due to a hip problem while former Valencia forward Nacho Gil is currently recuperating from a knee injury.
Vrioni has scored five goals in his last five matches and the 25-year-old will spearhead the Revs’ attack once again, alongside teenager Noel Buck and Colombian winger Dylan Borrero.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Baker-Whiting; Vargas, Paulo; Roldan, Rusnak, Chu; Morris
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Lima, Arreaga, Kessler, Jones; Polster, Harkes, Bajraktarevic; Buck, Borrero, Vrioni
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-2 New England Revolution
Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling. Schmetzer’s men are unbeaten in their last six home games against the Revs and we predict both sides will hold out for a share of the spoils once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.