Major League Soccer’s most dangerous attacking duo is coming to MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, as Crew SC is hosting Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and company for the Black & Gold’s first match against the Seattle Sounders in over a year (7:30 p.m. ET, Tickets).
U.S. international Dempsey and Nigerian Martins and are the top two scorers in MLS. They are responsible for 11 of Seattle’s 13 goals this season, sporting .87 and .86 goals per game, respectively. Add assists and the two attackers have been involved in all but one Sounders goal this year.
Having allowed only six goals in eight matches, Seattle owns the biggest goal differential in the league (7). Former Crew SC defender Chad Marshall anchors the Sounders backline and will make his first return to MAPFRE Stadium since 2013.
Another Black & Gold alumnus returning to Columbus is Sounders Head Coach and two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Sigi Schmid, who held the reins in Columbus from 2006 to 2008. He has led the Rave Green to a 5-2-1 record this season, as the Sounders rank third in the Western Conference with 16 points, one point behind FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Despite allowing 20 shots, Seattle most recently took home three points from Yankee Stadium with a 3-1 win over New York City FC. The Sounders now have won their last three matches with a combined goal differential of 7-2.
Crew SC has also scored seven goals in its last three matches and is looking to snap Seattle’s winning streak in what promises to be an entertaining match-up. With Crew SC getting shut out at D.C. last weekend, its focus will be on rebounding offensively while containing the Seattle scoring threat.
Columbus and Seattle only met once in 2014, when the Black & Gold defeated the Sounders, 2-1, at Century Link Field for their second consecutive win in Seattle. But Crew SC has never defeated the Sounders at home. In fact, the Sounders have won three of the last four meetings in Columbus.
Saturday will be the Black & Gold’s single opportunity to change that this year, as the match will be the only regular-season meeting in 2015. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET. Get your tickets here!
Seattle Sounders Quick Facts:
Regular Season Record: 5-2-1
Points: 16
Western Conference Rank: 3
Away Record: 2-1-1
Goals For: 13
Goals Against: 6
Current Run: 3-match winning streak
Last Match: 3-1 win at New York City FC
