Seattle, Washington – The Seattle Sounders encountered a frustrating draw with Austin FC in their home opener despite dominating the shots with a 23-2 advantage.
Both teams were eager for their first win of the 2024 season heading into the match. The Sounders had suffered a 2-1 loss to LAFC on the road, while Austin FC fell to Minnesota United in a 2-1 decision at home.
The Sounders faced some absences in key players such as Stefan Frei, Yeimar Gomez-Andrade, João Paulo, and Albert Rusnák. However, Pedro de la Vega showcased a strong performance in his MLS debut last week, potentially earning a spot in the starting lineup. There were concerns about Raúl Ruidíaz’s availability due to a rib injury sustained in the previous match.
Austin FC was also missing Sebastian Driussi, who had sat out the home opener. The team struggled in their season opener, only managing three shots in the first half and conceding seven “big chances” to Minnesota.
The match featured replacement referees for the second consecutive week after a disagreement between PRO and PSRA. Austin FC had only won three road games the previous year, with one being a 2-1 victory at Lumen Field.
Before the game, Osvaldo Alonso was honored in a pre-match ceremony for signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Sounders. The home team had a strong history of 10-5-0 in regular-season home openers throughout their MLS history.
Key absences due to injury, international duties, and suspension affected both teams, with players like Raúl Ruidíaz and Sebastián Driussi being questionable for the match.
The match took place at Lumen Field in Seattle, with global streaming available in English and Spanish through MLS Season Pass. Local radio coverage was provided by 93.3 KJR-FM and El Rey 1360 AM, offering options for English and Spanish broadcasts.
Overall, the match between the Seattle Sounders and Austin FC promised to be an intriguing encounter as both teams sought their first victory of the season.