Seattle Sounders are ready to return to MLS, says Rothrock
The Seattle Sounders team is preparing to resume its MLS campaign against its rival Portland Timbers after a period of hiatus due to the World Cup, with both teams seeking victory.
Seattle Sounders are ready to return to MLS, says Rothrock
According toSoccernews.
Background
Paul Rothrock is a midfielder for Seattle Sounders, and is considered one of the team's key players. With pressure mounting to deliver results, Rothrock is looking to put in a strong performance in the derby match against the Portland Timbers, which could impact the team's MLS campaign.
Why is this important?
The Seattle Sounders match against the Portland Timbers is considered one of the most important matches in the league, as it bears the character of a derby between the two teams. The Seattle Sounders, led by Paul Rothrock, are seeking to regain their balance after a period of negative results, while the Portland Timbers are trying to improve their position in the league table amid major challenges.
Key points
- Seattle Sounders are ready to return to MLS, says Rothrock.
- The Seattle Sounders team is preparing to resume its MLS campaign against its rival Portland Timbers after a period of hiatus due to the World Cup, with both teams seeking victory.
- Sounders ‘champing at the bit to go’ in MLS, says Rothrock.
Although the team was unbeaten in their previous nine MLS matches (6 wins and 3 draws), they lost their last two matches before the hiatus, losing to the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC without scoring a goal. Rothrock confirms that the team is ready to return to winning ways, as it has not achieved a win since May 14.
“I think this is the perfect time,” Rothrock said. “We were so excited to be back, and there's nothing better than starting things off with a derby game. Everyone is excited about this game, and we hope we can build on the momentum that was built during the World Cup in Seattle.”
On the other hand, the Portland Timbers are in thirteenth place in the Western Conference, six points away from the qualifying position for the playoffs, and have achieved only four victories out of 14 matches so far. The team is going through a transitional period after the dismissal of coach Phil Neville in May, and is without wins in its last three league matches (a draw in one and a loss in two).
However, interim coach Jack Cassidy was pleased with the consistency shown by the players as they prepare to return to MLS competition, saying: "I have learned that the players want to achieve positive results for the club. It shows with the way we work. These transition periods can be difficult, but they came together well to prepare for this match."
Players to follow
Seattle Sounders – Ozaze de Rosario
Seattle did not succeed in scoring any goals in its last two matches before the stoppage, after missing out on scoring in only one of the previous 19 league matches since last August. Ozazie De Rosario scored the team's last goal in the 89th minute of the match against the San Jose Earthquakes, but that was only his second goal of the season, having played 357 minutes.
Portland Timbers – Anthony
Anthony scored his ninth league goal since the start of the season in Portland's last match before the World Cup was halted, and the ball was passed to him by David da Costa. His goal contributions (18) are the highest among a Timbers player over the past two seasons.
Match Prediction: Seattle Sounders win
Seattle ended a nine-game winless streak at home against the Timbers with a 1-0 win in October, their first win over Portland at home since 2018. However, the home team has only managed five wins out of 20 meetings between Seattle and the Timbers since the start of the 2019 season. Having lost two of their last three games, tomorrow's game is an opportunity for them to regain confidence and get a win.
Opta odds of winning
Seattle Sounders – 62.2%
Breakeven – 19.4%
Portland Timbers – 18.4%
What's next?
Seattle Sounders are expected to enter the match in high spirits after the break, as the team seeks its first win since May. On the other hand, the Portland Timbers are looking forward to exploiting any opportunity to strengthen their position in the league, especially with the changes witnessed by the technical staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Seattle Sounders?
The Seattle Sounders are preparing to return to MLS after the World Cup break, as they will face the Portland Timbers in an important match.
Who confirmed that the Seattle Sounders are ready to return?
Paul Rothrock, Seattle Sounders midfielder, confirmed the team's readiness to return to the competition.
Why are Seattle Sounders now back in the competition?
The Seattle Sounders are now back after a World Cup hiatus, and Rothrock believes it is the perfect time to kick things off with a derby match.
What changes have happened to the Portland Timbers?
The Portland Timbers are experiencing a transition period following the dismissal of coach Phil Neville in May.
How were the Seattle Sounders' results before the suspension?
Seattle Sounders are unbeaten in their previous nine matches, but have lost their last two matches without scoring a goal.
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