After all the pregame, raise-the-championship pageantry subsides Sunday — oh, yeah, the Seattle Sounders have to worry about a high-caliber opponent in their home opener.
One that holds an MLS-record eight-game road unbeaten streak during the regular season, dating to 2016.
And the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls (2-0) bring to town arguably the best goal-scoring striker in the league in Bradley Wright-Phillips, whose 24 regular-season goals led the MLS in 2016.
“They are dangerous on the counter(attack), especially with the way they play and their ability to press a lot,” Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan said.