Sounders look to end four-match losing streak in Philadelphia

Ending a historic losing streak will be even harder for the Sounders against Philadelphia.

Veteran center back Jackson Ragen will serve a suspension for being sent off in a road loss against Austin on Wednesday. Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer mentioned starting Antino Lopez and Stuart Hawkins against the Union.

The duo has a combined seven career MLS starts.

Hawkins made his first start Wednesday, and the teenager has played in six matches since being signed in 2023 because of injuries. Lopez, 24, has appeared in 10 MLS matches since being drafted in 2024.

Veteran center back Yeimar Gomez Andrade made the trip but hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in March. Backup center back Kim Kee-hee, who helped the team win its 2019 league title, is out with a hamstring injury.

The Sounders are on a four-game losing streak with a pair of losses bookending the FIFA Men’s World Cup break. The skid is the longest Schmetzer has had as head coach and the longest for the team since October 2013.

Here’s a look at the match Saturday:

Sounders (7-5-3) at Philadelphia (2-10-4)

Time/place: 4:30 p.m. at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.

TV: Apple TV

Radio: 93.3 KJR FM (English) and El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish)

Series history: The series is even at 5-5-3 since 2010.

Flashback

Sounds unfathomable, but the Sounders were on a nine-game unbeaten streak in the spring (6-0-3). The team appeared to regain its defensive form and outscored its opponents 14-6 during that run, including sweeping San Jose, which entered this weekend fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race.

The Sounders have been outscored 11-2 in their past four losses. Back line mainstay Alex Roldan (hip) has missed each match because of injury.

Close it out

Ceding late goals has cost the Sounders this season. They’ve allowed six in the 86^th minute or later this season. One cost them a shutout against St. Louis in April and two led to losses against Los Angeles FC (May) and Austin on Wednesday.

The Union collected their first home win 3-1 against rival Red Bull New York on Wednesday. Philly’s defense is also flimsy. The side has been outscored 12-11 in their past four matches.

Quotable

“With the stretch that we’re having ain’t no game is gonna be easy,” Sounders designated player Albert Rusnák said. “We’ve been in these situations before. You feel kind of like no matter what you do, it’s not good enough. And the only way to get out of this is with a win. It doesn’t matter how the win is going to come at this point, we’re going to have to find a way.”