Sounders FC look for goals and victory in Colorado without Ljungberg, Evans & Scott

May 22, 3:50 PMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Facing the most challenging circumstances yet this season, the Seattle Sounders FC (4-2-3) ventures to the Denver area to play the first of two back-to-back games against the Colorado Rapids (3-2-3) on Saturday night, May 23, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on KONG 6/16 TV.

Sounders FC are battling injuries to Brad Evans (doubtful), Back-up goalkeeper Chris Eylander (out), defender Zach Scott (out), midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (probable) and midfielder / defender Nathan Sturgis (probable).

UPDATE: Ljungberg, Evans & Scott don't make trip to Denver

Both teams are 1-0-2 in their last three MLS matches and are coming off ties. Sounders FC is unbeaten (1-0-3) in its last four league games (five overall) and has drawn three in a row. Seattle is 1-1-2 on the road. Colorado is 2-0-1 at home.

The two teams will turn around and play a U.S. Open Cup Play-In game at Tukwila’s Starfire Sports Stadium next Tuesday, May 26. $10 bleacher seats are still available. There will be limited seating capacity. Tickets are general admission and fans are encouraged to arrive early to get the best possible seats. For information on Open Cup tickets please visit www.SoundersFC.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

Can Sebastien Le Toux help the Sounders to victory in Colorado?

Prost Amerika Match Preview: Goalkeeper Preston Burpo will be the best known Rapids player to longer time Sounders fans. In 2005, Preston played 2,430 minutes for the USL-1 champion Seattle Sounders recording 124 saves. He has shared the goalkeeping duties with Matt Pickens this season, with both playing four games each.

Pablo Mastroeni has 63 international appearances for the USA. The Argentine-born midfielder earned his first cap for his adopted country in a friendly against Ecuador on June 7, 2001 and was called into Bruce Arena’s World Cup squad for Japan/Korea 2002 despite having never appeared in a qualifier. He started in three of the United States five matches as the side reached the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time since 1930. He has started seven of the Rapids eight games this season. Pablo proposed to his wife, Kelly Long, during a halftime television interview of a Miami Fusion’s match Sept. 5, 2000 at the Metrostars. Aah.

Rapids host Sounders FC in West showdown (MLSnet.com)

Henderson can call Seattle, Colorado home (Seattle Times)

Brad Evans' versatility helping Sounders (MLSnet.com)

Pre-Match Press Notes (PDF) (SoundersFC.com)