Mar 19, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; A Seattle Sounders fan holds up a championship scarf prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders and the New York Red Bulls at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The reigning MLS Cup Champion Seattle Sounders are hosting the league’s hot new expansion team Atlanta United at 10pm on Friday, March 31. What are the biggest headlines heading into the match and how can you watch it?

Friday’s matchup will feature two of Major League Soccer’s hottest teams. The Sounders seem to have finally found their rhythm after a sluggish start to the season. The Five Stripes have been one of the most explosive offenses in the league over the first few weeks. Both teams will look to sort out their lineups with injuries and international duty playing a big role in how each time will line up.

Seattle Sounders

The defending 2016 MLS Cup Champions got off to a slow start in 2017. But after a loss in Houston and a draw in Montreal, Seattle was impressive in a win against the Red Bulls before the international break.

Of the four players who reported and stayed for national duty, with Jordan Morris coming home early due to an injury, three of them (Jones, Torres, and Dempsey) played the full 180′ for their respective teams during the break. That type of workload, combined with the rigors of travel back and forth, will be a factor when considering if these players compete on Friday and, if they do play, how much time they will be able to contribute.

As of now, Jordan Morris is listed as day-to-day, and is working hard to be ready for Friday night. There is no question that Morris is a major player for this team, and with several other players up-in-the-air, no doubt Morris will want to play.

Atlanta United

Atlanta is not without their share of internationals returning from duty. The good news for the Five Stripes is that none of their internationals played the full 180′ for their teams. While Miguel Almiron and Kenwyne Jones did play a good bit for their squads, Carlos Carmona’s only minutes can off the bench in Chile’s final game over the break.

The biggest casualty of the international break for Atlanta was the team’s leading goalscorer, Josef Martinez. Martinez was injured in Venezuela’s first match and has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks. Atlanta has plenty of options in filling this void, or rearranging their current lineup, but they will certainly lose some offensive firepower from this blow.

Prediction

These two teams have already faced off in 2017. The two met in the second round of the Carolina Challenge Cup in the preseason and Atlanta defeated Seattle 4-2. But that matchup featured a Sounders starting XI that was heavy with reserves. Both teams have major concerns heading into their first ever regular season meeting. The issues will be mostly balanced between the two sides, but Atlanta missing their biggest goal scorer will keep them from being able to get three points. In the end, they will split the points in a 2-2 draw.

How to Watch

The Seattle Sounders host Atlanta United FC on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 10pm on FS1.