Sounders look to extend their winning streak to four as they take on the Philadephia Union

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders have been on a hot run lately and they will look to keep it going as they host the Philadephia Union this afternoon at 1:30. This match will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. The Sounders have won three in a row and are currently third in the Western Conference with 16 points (5-1-1). Today, they'll have a chance to come away with their forth straight win including nine points in the last eight days.

The last time the Sounders and the Union met was back on October 8th of last year. That was the same week the Sounders won their third straight U.S. Open Cup, however the Sounders looked like they were still hungover from that and lost 2-0 after goals from Freddy Adu and Brian Carroll. In his last two visits to Seattle, Adu has been able to find the back of the net. The other time he scored here was back on July 4, 2009 against Grenada in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. It does feel like Adu has been in this game long enough that he should be in his prime by now, but get this, he was drafted at the age of 14, and right now he's only 22 years of age so he's nowhere close to his prime. As much as he has struggled since leaving Real Salt Lake for Europe back in 2007, Adu has shown what he can do on the ball, he still has the abillity to fool the defenders. The Sounders central defenders better be on their toes because he'll be ready to attack for 90 minutes.


Injury report:

Philadelphia Union - For Philadelphia, Krystian Witkowski has a concussion and he is out. Roger Torres just recently had surgery on his left knee. Chris Albright has a sprained left big toe and he is out. Gabriel Farfan has a strained left hammie and he is listed as questionable. Brian Carroll has a strained hammie as well, this is his right hamstring however and he is listed as probable.

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Sounders, Josh Ford, Michael Tetteh, Steve Zakuani and Babayele Sodade of course are out. Michael Gspurning was subbed out at halftime in Wednesday's match against the LA Galaxy, he has been ruled out for 2-3 weeks so Bryan Meredith will be in goal during that stretch. Alvaro Fernandez has a right quad strain and he is questionable. Last but not least, Patrick Ianni has low back pain and, is listed as probable.


Suspensions:

Philadelphia - For the Union, the guys that won't he allowed on the pitch because of their stupidity are Michael Farfan who is suspended through next weekend and head coach Peter Nowak who is suspended for this match.

Seattle Sounders FC - NONE


Player to watch:

Bryan Meredith - Playing 45 minutes is one thing. Getting your first MLS start, that's a whole new level. Just when you thought he missed his chance on making the squad at the start of the 2011, Bryan Meredith comes on as a halftime sub for Michael Gspurning on Wednesday night against the LA Galaxy for his MLS debut and looking at his performance in the second half of that match, Meredith's confidence must be growing ahead of the match this afternoon. Can he do it for 90 minutes this time though? Too me, I think he can. He went 90 minutes against Monterrey in the Champions League and did a good job, so he's been there before. It's just a matter of how well he's able to communicate with his defenders.