• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Sounders-Rapids Preview

May 28, 2010 - 8:59 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Seattle (3-4-3) at Colorado (4-3-1), 9:00 p.m. EDT

While the performance didn't help them in the standings, the Seattle Sounders hope the momentum from their last match translates into success in MLS play.

Coming off an impressive victory in a friendly, Seattle looks to get back on track Saturday when it faces a Colorado Rapids club trying to re-create the homefield edge it enjoyed in 2009.

After getting shut out for the fourth time this season in Saturday's 1-0 loss at San Jose, Seattle (3-4-3) defeated Argentina's Boca Juniors 3-0 on Wednesday. Roger Levesque, Pat Noonan and Michael Seamon scored as the Sounders tallied one more goal than they had in their previous five MLS matches combined.

"It's nice to score some goals," said coach Sigi Schmid, whose team is tied with Colorado with a Western Conference-low nine goals. "It's been a long time. I didn't know what it felt like anymore."

While Schmid was happy to see his team finally show some offensive punch, the Sounders lost midfielder Osvaldo Alonso to a quad injury that will likely keep him out of Saturday's match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Seattle defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado will also be sidelined, and could be out for the season after being placed on the injured list Monday with a torn ACL in his left knee. Hurtado, a finalist for MLS defender of the year in 2009, was injured Saturday trying to block a shot late in the second half.

"We'll move on," owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer told the Sounders' official website. "There are injuries in soccer. We can't hang our heads and worry about it now. We have to go forward and make the best of a bad situation."

Colorado (4-3-1) failed to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup with Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the host New York Red Bulls, but Rapids coach Gary Smith didn't seem too disheartened.

"I'm not going to say that we're pleased that we're out, or else I wouldn't have brought the team that I had," he told the Rapids' official website. "I'm disappointed, the players are disappointed, but what it is, is a cup.

"We've got a big game at the weekend now."

The Rapids, who outscored their opponents 25-10 while going 8-2-5 at home last season, are 1-1-1 there in 2010. Colorado had its seven-game home unbeaten streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles on May 5.

"I want the home surface to be a place that is different than it is at the moment," Smith said after a 1-0 win at DC United on May 15.

Nate Jaqua scored in the 76th minute to help the Sounders salvage a 2-all draw in their first visit to Colorado on May 23, 2009.