Just 10 days after winning the U.S. Open Cup 2-1, the Seattle Sounders travel to D.C. United’s RFK stadium again, this time for a league game. (Saturday, Direct Kick, 7:30 pm). The teams’ meetings have been tense affairs. The U.S. Open Cup saw United goalkeeper Josh Wicks ejected for stomping on Seattle striker Fredy Montero. In their first league game, a heated 3-3 tie on June 17 at Qwest, Seattle let slip a two-goal lead, giving up an own goal in the final minutes to let United draw even.
Seattle should be fresh. The team hasn’t played since the cup game. But it will be without star Freddie Ljunberg due to his accumulation of yellow cards. Seattle has maintained a steady place in the top eight all season, but has won just once in its last seven league games, was shut out in five of those, and now hover just a point above dropping out of playoff contention.
United, meanwhile, opened a five-game homestand at midweek with a 1-0 win against Kansas City. Hauling itself into playoff contention, United is trying to stay there amid a grueling schedule and a slew of injuries, including defenders Marc Burch and Dejan Jakovic.