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Sounders-United Preview

Sep 11, 2009 - 10:45 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Seattle (8-6-10) at D.C. (8-5-12), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The last time the Seattle Sounders FC visited D.C. United, they became only the second MLS expansion team to win the U.S. Open Cup.

The rematch at RFK Stadium on Saturday night may not have a trophy at stake, but a win for either club could be a boost to its playoff hopes.

The Sounders (8-6-10) have made a strong impression in their first MLS season, and added a trophy Sept. 2 when they won 2-1 at D.C. to win the U.S. Open Cup. It was the first time an expansion club won the title since Chicago in 1998.

"All of the guys on the team should be very proud," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. "They are part of the group that won the first trophy for the MLS Sounders. Now, we got that out of the way, it is time to focus and concentrate and get the points we need to make the playoffs."

Seattle has been idle since, while United (8-5-12) have extended their league unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-2) after opening a five-game homestand with a 1-0 win over Kansas City on Wednesday.

Both clubs are in the thick of a tight playoff race.

D.C., which is 6-0-5 at home, is third in the East, two points behind second-place Chicago and three behind first-place Columbus. However, United also are two points ahead of Seattle for sixth overall.

The Sounders have a one-point edge on New England, Salt Lake and Chivas, which are all tied for the fourth and final wild-card position.

The first two teams in each conference qualify as the top seeds with the remaining four spots available to the clubs with the best records from either conference.

United's current unbeaten streak has featured solid play from goalkeeper Josh Wicks, who has three shutouts in four games, giving him five on the season. He made five saves against the Wizards on Wednesday after stopping three shots in a 2-all tie at Dallas last Saturday.

Wicks also has been in the spotlight for a pair of incidents. He was issued a red card for stomping on the Sounders' Fredy Montero during the Open Cup final after the forward scored the first goal of the game. That came after Wicks argued with teammate Marc Burch late in a 1-0 win at Chicago on Aug. 29.

"He's been getting a lot of grief and in reality he's been playing well," United coach Tom Soehn said.

Wicks and D.C. will have to contend with Montero again. The Colombian is tied with four others for second in the league with 10 goals, two behind Colorado's Conor Casey.

Montero has been struggling in league play, scoring once in the last six games. He had a goal and an assist in a 3-all tie with visiting D.C. on June 17.

Seattle will be without midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who is serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. The club's designated player has two goals and five assists.