This will be the second game in four days with another match looming on Sunday. It’s sensible that the Sounders will rotate some players, but their focus should be on this game against a in-conference opponent, as opposed to Sunday’s road game against D.C. United. We’d love to see a full compliment of starters, but if they’re going to rotate we hope that it’s limited, with an eye on giving them time off between now and the Sept. 29 match against the San Jose Earthquakes.

2. Solidify the No. 2 spot in the West

The Sounders need to do everything possible to ensure as many home playoff games and to stay as far away from LAFC as possible.