About the Sounders
This week, the Sounders named Brian Schmetzer its long-term manager after bringing him on as the interim after firing Sigi Schmid . ... The Sounders have a plus-13 goal differential since Schmetzer took over, with a plus-12 mark in the second half. ... Seattle F Nelson Valdez scored no goals in the regular season but has two goals in the playoffs. ... The Sounders moved to 13-3-1 when scoring first in 2016 MLS matches . ... After keeping clean sheets against Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas in the playoffs, the Sounders haven't conceded a goal in 266 minutes heading into Sunday's contest.