Sounders vs. Fire lineups: Seattle seeks playoff position

Seattle Sounders FC has a crucial match against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night. Seattle is trying to ride a late-season surge — 5-1-3 since coach Sigi Schmid was fired and replaced by Brian Schmetzer on an interim basis — to continue its streak of making the playoffs in each of the first eight seasons. Going into Wednesday the Sounders had climbed to within three points of Portland, which occupies the sixth-and-final playoff position in the MLS’s Western Conference, with two games in hand. This is one of those game in hand, and it comes at home against the team with the worst record in the league. So this represents a massive opportunity for the Sounders.

Here’s the lineups:

SOUNDERS (11-13-5)

Starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Frei; J. Jones, Torres, Marshall, Mears; Roldan, Alonso (c); Ivanschitz, Lodeiro, Fernandez; Morris.

Bench: Miller, Fisher, Scott, Sturgis, Gomez, Valdez, Anderson.

Notes: Seattle keeps faith with the same starting lineup that won 4-2 against the Los Angeles Galaxy on the road Sunday. Playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro, signed as a designated player in late July, has been as advertised as the Uruguyan international has contributed at least a goal or an assist in eight straight games. Forward Jordan Morris is also on a roll, having scored four goals in his past four contests to bring the rookie’s total to 12 for the season. Both defender Brad Evans (calf) and midfielder Erik Friberg (ankle), who were listed as questionable, are left out of the squad. This is Seattle’s first game since announcing that star forward Clint Dempsey will miss the remainder of the season because of his irregular heartbeat.

FIRE (6-14-9)

Starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Johnson; Vincent, Meira, Campbell, Kappelhof; Polster, Cocis (c); Accam, de Leeuw, Alvarez; Solignac.

Bench: McLain, Harrington, Gehrig, Goossens, Arshakyan, Thiam, Stephens.

Notes: Chicago has scored just 36 goals this season, which is tied for the second-fewest in MLS, so the Fire will be looking for more out of wingers David Accam (eight goals, four assists) and Arturo Alvarez (five goals, seven assists) and target man Luis Solignac (two goals in nine games since being acquired from Colorado). Goalkeeper Matt Lampson (toe) is out injured, while midfielder John Goossens (back) is on the bench. Left back Brandon Vincent, the team’s lone All-Star selection, squares off against his former teammate in Morris, as the two played collegiately at Stanford.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.