Sounders kick off homestand vs. struggling San Diego

RENTON - The Sounders will kickoff a three-game homestretch against San Diego.

Like last-placed Sporting Kansas City last week, San Diego is on a downward spiral and desperate to turn its season around. The Sounders gifted SKC a 1-1 draw on the road.

San Diego is on an eight-match winless streak (0-5-3). In its last outing, it ceded two goals in the final 20 minutes, including stoppage time, to draw 2-2 against Los Angeles FC.

Here's a look at the match Saturday:

Sounders (6-1-2) vs San Diego (3-5-3)

Time/place: 7:30 p.m. at Lumen Field in Seattle

TV: Apple TV

Radio: 93.3 KJR FM (English) and El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish)

Series history: The all-time series is even at 1-1 since 2025.

Taking ownership

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer is expected to make lineup changes because of a three-match week, but he'd like to have more clarity at the forward position. After training Friday, Schmetzer said he'd like "someone to make it their own" when it comes to Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski and Osaze De Rosario playing up top. Morris leads in scoring contributions with one goal and two assists in MLS play, but the production came when he played on the wing.

San Diego isn't clean in the box either, but striker Marcus Ingvartsen carries the team. The Danish international has seven goals and two assists while countryman Anders Dreyer, the league's 2025 Newcomer of the Year, has five goals and six assists to start the season.

Injury updates

Sounders center backs Kim Kee-hee (calf), Ryan Sailor (knee) and defender Stuart Hawkins (quad) were cleared to train and could make their season debut this month. Finding minutes will be difficult if defenders Alex Roldan, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi and Antino Lopez continue to play error free.

San Diego is without midfielders Jeppe Tverskov (lower body) and Lewis Morgan (lower body).

Quotable

"We were devastated from the last game, we could've done a lot better," said Sounders forward Jesús Ferreira, referring to the 1-1 draw vs SKC. "The group is trying to figure out a way to bounce back, especially at home. We know how important games are at home cause every point matters, especially if you want to stay in the race for anything in this league."

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 4:51 PM.