Revolution vs. Sounders 2013: Preview and Game Notes

The New England Revolution will play an afternoon game against the Seattle Sounders today in what is really shaping up to be a "Battle of the Hapless." The Revs have scored one goal all season and sit last in the East with a 1-2-1 record. Seattle, meanwhile, has scored goals, but hasn't won a game, turning in an 0-3-1 record over that time.

The Revs are 3-3-1 over the Sounders short MLS history, which serves as pretty much no indicator of how the two teams will perform this afternoon. After winning their first trip to CenturyLink Field in 2009, the Revs have lost their last two.

This is the sort of match that should get Revs' fans a little worried. On paper, it might appear to be a tasty opportunity for the Revs to get a road win, maybe score a goal or two, and get their season back on track. However, Seattle's rough start really defies logic considering all the talent on their roster. After bowing out unceremoniously in the CONCACAF Champions' League, the Rave Green will be raring to go in front of their home fans. If anything, the Revs are ripe for a beating in this one.

It'll be a true test of this much-vaunted defense to see if they can weather that storm. As much as goals would be welcome, a 0-0 draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world here. It's never easy to play in front of 40,000 screaming, raving Cascadians, so getting any sort of favorable result would be a positive. The key to doing that will be neutralizing Seattle's speed on the flanks and marking their forwards tightly, because guys like Eddie Johnson and Steve Zakuani will burn you if given even the slightest chance.

REVOLUTION INJURY REPORT

QUESTIONABLE: Matt Reis (L Knee Irritation), Saer Sene (L ACL Tear), Juan Toja (L Knee Irritation)
OUT: Kevin Alston (Disabled List; Illness), Chad Barrett (L Hamstring Strain)

SOUNDERS INJURY REPORT

OUT: Patrick Ianni (R Foot Fracture), Obafemi Martins (Not Sure Why, But Sigi Said He Wasn't Playing)

SUSPENSIONS

None.

TEAM NOTES

• The teams have split the seven previous meetings between the two teams, 3-3-1
• The Revs are 1-2-0 in three previous meetings at CenturyLink Field in Seattle...after winning their first-ever trip (a 1-0 victory in 2009), the Revs have dropped their last two trips
• Saturday's match is the only regular-season game between the two teams this season...this is the second year in a row the teams will only meet once
• The teams played to a 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium in the only match played between the teams in 2012
• Seattle won the season series in 2011, winning both games...Seattle earned a 2-1 win at Century Link Field on June 26 and later beat the Revs, 2-1, on Oct. 1, at Gillette Stadium
• In six of the teams' seven meetings, the clubs have combined to score at least three goals...only one match - the first-ever contest in 2009 in Seattle, which the Revs won, 1-0 - has seen a single goal scored
• Four of the seven meetings have been one-goal games...each team is 2-2-0 in the one-goal games

PLAYER NOTES

• Only one current player - Diego Fagundez - has scored more than one goal against Seattle...Fagundez - who has two goals against the Sounders - scored just his second career MLS goal against Seattle on Oct. 1, 2011, and he then added the 95th-minute equalizer in the 2-2 draw on June 30, 2012...his 2011 goal came in his first career start...both goals came at Gillette Stadium
• Four other players - Chad Barrett, Sainey Nyassi, Saer Sene and Chris Tierney - all have single goals against the Sounders...Barrett's goal came in 2010 as a member of Toronto FC
• Chris Tierney scored his first-career MLS goal when the Revs hosted Seattle on Sept. 4, 2010
• Matt Reis is 3-2-1 all-time against Seattle with a 1.33 goals against average and one shutout
• Bobby Shuttleworth made his first-ever MLS start at Seattle on June 5, 2010, taking the loss in the 3-0 defeat
• Former Revs captain Shalrie Joseph, now a member of the Sounders, scored three goals in six appearances against Seattle as a member of New England...Joseph's three goals came in the first two meetings between the teams, which included game-winning goals in both 2009 matches games

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: CSN New England, 4 PM EST
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub, 4 PM EST