Another Major League Soccer regional rivalry match takes place Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle, when the Sounders FC host the Vancouver Whitecaps.
It will be their first MLS match-up, but Seattle and their neighbors to the North have a rich history that dates back to 1974 in the North American Soccer League.
Although it’s a big rivalry, most Sounders fans agree it is NOT as big as the rivalry with the Portland Timbers. The Sounders and Timbers played to a 1-1 draw last month at Qwest Field amid a downpour. Portland and Vancouver are first-year expansion teams in the MLS.
Find out more about this - including all the trouble the Whitecaps have had in their first season - from KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel. Art’s weekly chat with KPLU’s Kirsten Kendrick airs Friday mornings at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88-5 KPLU. A blog of our conversation will be posted here tomorrow.