Seattle Sounders Prepare for Toughest Test of the Season

The Seattle Sounders FC will play their biggest game so far in the 2012 MLS season when they host Real Salt Lake on May 12.

For the Sounders, a win won't just earn them the top spot in the Western Conference, but it'll also give them the opportunity to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins. With so much at stake, Seattle soccer fans can expect the Sounders to come out firing on all cylinders when the two Western Conference powerhouses meet on Saturday.

"You know 5 games in [15] days and we wanted to maximize what we got," head coach Sigi Schmid said about the Sounders' upcoming game. "Right now we've got 12 points. If we can finish this set with 15 points, that will be unbelievable and a tremendous tribute to the team."

The Sounders' defense earned another shutout in their last outing against Dallas FC, giving them a total of six for the season. They won't have the services of Zach Scott when they host Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field - due to a one game suspension for a hard tackle on Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo, but they should be fine without him.

Salt Lake knocked the Sounders out of the 2011 MLS playoffs. But they'll be facing a very different Seattle team on Saturday. For one, Mauro Rosales will be on the field to direct the Sounders' offense, and Schmid also plans to reintroduce midfielder Alvaro Fernandez - who has been sidelined due to a quad injury.

"Yeah, I think Flaco's ready," Schmid said. "The only question for us is whether we start him or whether we bring him off the bench. The other concern that you have as a coach now as you put together your staring lineup is I think Flaco is ready and healthy, but probably not healthy for 90 minutes."

With Fernandez back on the field, the Sounders shouldn't have any problems moving the ball up the field. They're already playing like the best team in the MLS, and it's about time their record reflects their level of play.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: "We had a great battle today. We scored two goals…"
Seattletimes.com, "Sounders FC's Alvaro Fernandez: 'I feel good. I'm ready to go.'"