Seattle Sounders FC travel to Chicago to face April's MLS Player of the Month, Brian McBride, and the Chicago Fire at 5:30 pm at Toyota Park.The Sounders boast the staunchest defense in the league, allowing a league-low three goals in the first six matches. On the other side, Chicago are the most potent attacking team in the league and have scored a league-best 12 goals in six matches.
Chicago were jumped by Toronto FC last weekend and now sit second in the Eastern Conference. With the win last Saturday, Seattle held on to second place in the Western Conference, trailing Chivas USA by four points.
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Game prediction: Sounders FC 2-1 Chicago Fire
Chicago have drawn the last three games and have allowed seven goals in the process. McBride has topped the league with five goals in six matches and along with Cuauhtemoc Blanco, will lead the Fire's attack. Blanco has only started the last two games but has been an instrumental playmaker for the Fire and has scored one goal and two assists.
In two games away from home, Seattle has scored two goals against Toronto FC and has also been shutout by Chivas USA. In matches the team were not shutout, Sounders FC have scored at least two goals. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller has also yet to allow a goal while he has been on the field.
Chicago will be missing a key player in Justin Mapp, who is suffering from a hamstring strain, along with three other players who will be unavailable through injury. Sounders FC will be near full strength and four players are listed as probable for the match on Saturday.
Here are two players who may have helped their cases to start for Sounders FC on Saturday.
Reach Jesse Amorratanasuchad at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
