Three things to watch for: Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids

Last weekend, the Colorado Rapids pegged the visiting New York Red Bulls back 2-1 in what has since been dubbed the “Snow Clasico 2” as Denver had been buried under several feet of snow. Luckily for the Sounders, who head there this weekend for a match against the 4-2-1 Rapids, the weather has improved by quite a bit and should mimic the sunny week that Seattle has had.

Are the floodgates open for Sounders rookie Jordan Morris?

The Sounders have also lucked out in not having to face former Seattle midfielder Marco Pappa, who is out this weekend with an MCL strain, because he’s had a solid start to the season with his new team. The Rapids are also without DP striker Kevin Doyle and promising young midfielder Dillon Powers. Seattle has no injuries as of right now, aside from the long-term issue that Roman Torres is still recovering from. Erik Friberg was a full participant in training on Thursday and is expected to be available on Saturday.

Here are three things to keep an eye out for during Seattle’s 6 p.m. match in Colorado (pregame coverage on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM begins at 5:30):

1. The Jermaine Jones factor. Plenty of people were skeptical when the Rapids made the big announcement that they were signing US international Jermaine Jones to a hefty Designated Player contract in the offseason. Jones missed the first six matches of the season thanks to a suspension that carried over from his final match with the New England Revolution, but he made his Rapids debut with a bang in last weekend’s win over New York. Jones, who is not always thought of as a goal threat from central midfield, notched both a goal and an assist to make sure the league hadn’t forgotten about him. United States national team fans will remember his epic goal against Portugal in the 2014 World Cup (I know I remember going crazy when it happened), which shows that Jones has the skill and the drive to score excellent goals when his team needs him the most. Seattle will need to be very careful that it doesn’t forget about Jones and the many threats he can be on the pitch. Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said on Thursday that above all else, Jones is a competitor and will do whatever it takes to win. Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan (or Friberg) will need to do everything possible to win those midfield battles and keep the ball away from Jones.

2. Oalex Anderson or Nelson Valdez? It will be quite interesting to see who Schmid picks for Saturday’s match, since he’ll likely be sticking with the two difference makers from last weekend — Andreas Ivanschitz and Jordan Morris. But the third spot in the Sounders’ front three seems likely to be up for grabs, and probably presents a slightly difficult decision for the coach. For Valdez to come in, Morris will have to be shifted to the wing — but he is most comfortable on the right, where Ivanschitz played his best match of the season last weekend. I know that Schmid likes Valdez’s holdup play and work rate, but is it worth changing up the roles of last weekend’s two best players to fit him in? It’s worth noting that when Morris scored his goal, he was playing on the right and Ivanschitz was in midfield, but both players played well throughout the match in their starting positions. Anderson showed how dangerous he is again against Philadelphia, and he provides the only quick, creative goal threat on the squad. But he also makes mistakes on defense and can lose the ball in dangerous areas on occasion. The pros and cons list is pretty inconclusive here, and it’ll be very interesting to see what Schmid decides to do.

3. Chad Marshall, top scorer. Not too many people expected this, but the man they call “Air Marshall” currently sits as the Sounders’ top scorer in 2016 league play with two goals. The three-time MLS defender of the year has proved to be the Sounders’ most potent and diverse goal threat this season, scoring a last-gasp winner with his feet against Houston and a dominating header from a corner against Philadelphia. The Sounders have a lot to be thankful for with Marshall, who in his 12th season in MLS is one of the best central defenders in the league. He leads by example at the back, constantly winning aerial duels and heading away crosses and set pieces, as well as providing that same threat in the air on the other end of the pitch. At 6 foot 3, Marshall is a tower over Colorado’s forwards and more than a handful for their defenders. Unfortunately for Marshall, Colorado has shown remarkable discipline and have only allowed one goal from a set piece this season. But if anyone can add to that tally, it’s Seattle’s Air Marshall.

Spenser Davis also covers the Sounders for Sounder at Heart.