TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 and Sacramento Republic FC square off on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Stadium with Republic FC looking to get its season off to a strong start as it pursues a repeat of its first-place finish in the USL Western Conference last season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2o0Vq5Z | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2o0OZ2F
 

Seattle Sounders FC 2 news and notes

• Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts

• Seattle kicks off its third season in the USL aiming to return to the postseason after a second-half surge came up short in 2016.

• Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson’s side has seen numerous changes since the conclusion of last season, with only forward Irvin Parra and midfielder Lorenzo Ramos returning to the squad.

• One of the key new additions is Brian Nana-Sinkam, who enters his rookie season having been named as one of the top defensive prospects in the Premier Development League a season ago for Burlingame Dragons FC.

• Sounders FC offseason Homegrown Signing Seyi Adekoya could  make his professional debut as well on Sunday, and he is joined on loan by midfielder Zach Mathers, who signed an MLS deal with Seattle after starring for S2 in 2016.

Sacramento Republic FC news and notes

• Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts

• Sacramento returns a number of key players for its second full season led by Paul Buckle, with 2016 USL All-League selection Danny Barrera and stalwart defenders Emrah Klimenta and James Kiffe back to lead the squad.

• Republic FC saw the departure of All-League forward Cameron Iwasa this offseason as he signed with Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City, but added Trinidad & Tobago international Trevin Caesar and Sammy Ochoa to bolster the club’s attack.

• Another offseason addition was former Phoenix Rising FC player Tyler Blackwood, who joins a number of other talented young forwards including Harry Williams and Wilson Kneeshaw, both of whom return for the new season.

• Sacramento recently transferred center back Mike Da Fonte to the Colorado Rapids, signing Julius James and Enrique Montano as potential defensive replacements for the new season.

Series Notes

• Sacramento took victory in all three meetings between the teams a season ago, and has taken five wins out of six all-time when the teams have squared off.

Squads

• Seattle – GK: Bryan Meredith, Trey Muse, Sam Fowler; D: Brian Nana-Sinkam, Riley Grant, Joe Hafferty, Ethan Lotenero, Samual Rogers, Stirling Russell, Jack Ragen, NouHou Tolo; M: Paul Rothrock, Ray Saari, Georg Armstrong, Jamie Dimitroff, Francisco Narbon, Kei Tomozawa, Lorenzo Ramos, Azriel Gonzalez, Zach Mathers; F: Irvin Parra, Felix Chenkam, Shandon Hopeau, Milo Barton, David Olsen, Seyi Adekoya

• Sacramento – GK: Dominik Jakubek, Evan Newton; D: Julius James, Carlos Rodriguez, James Kiffe,  Enrique Montano, Emrah Klimenta, Elliott Hord; M: Agustin Cazarez, Daniel Trickett-Smith, Harry Williams, Danny Barrera, Gabe Gissie, Lamin Suma, Adam Moffatt, Tyler Blackwood,  Jeremy Hall; F: Wilson Kneeshaw, Sammy Ochoa, Trevin Caesar, Christian Chaney

Discipline

• Seattle – Suspended: NouHou Tolo

• Sacramento – None

Officials

• REF: BABOUCARR JALLOW

• AR1: Cephas Quartson

• AR2: Christian Clerc

• 4TH: Jeff Arthurholtz

Game hashtag:

• #SEAvSAC

Twitter social handles

• Seattle Sounders FC 2 – @SoundersFC2

• Sacramento Republic FC – @SacRepublicFC