Revolution-Sounders Preview

The Seattle Sounders were a trophy shy of sweeping the MLS hardware a season ago, while the New England Revolution fell a match short of taking home that other prize.

Two of the early favorites to top their respective conferences meet Sunday night in Seattle to begin the new season, although some recognizable faces won't be a part of it.

Seattle, winner of the Supporters' Shield and U.S. Open Cup, saw its 2014 season come to an end in the Western Conference finals against eventual champion Los Angeles.

This upcoming match marks the Sounders' seventh straight opening day at home, of which they've won four of the previous six.

"You still get the same kind of feelings, especially after such a long break and seeing the crowd ... it's going to be nice," Lamar Neagle told the club's official website. "I'm definitely excited for the game, to be playing again, to get the season underway. I think we expect a lot from ourselves so, yeah, it's exciting."

The Galaxy went on to defeat New England 2-1 in the MLS Cup.

"Obviously there are going to be higher expectations," New England forward Teal Bunbury told the club's official website. "But we're all professionals and there are always going to be high expectations, no matter what we're doing - winning or losing."

The disappointing conclusion came after the Revolution's second-half run propelled them toward the top of the East, and much of that coincided with the in-season addition of U.S. national team standout Jermaine Jones.

The Revs, however, begin this season without Jones after he had surgery early last month to repair a sports hernia. The club announced the procedure Feb. 10 and said Jones, a midfielder-turned-defender at the international level, would miss 4 to 6 weeks.

New England could also be without its top scorer, but it'll be welcoming another elite attacking threat back into the mix.

Lee Nguyen, who finished fourth in the league with 18 regular-season goals, is questionable due to a groin injury that's plagued him since November. Juan Agudelo, who left the club for Europe before last season, signed a multiyear deal in January.

Seattle may be healthier, though its lone departing starter will be cause for significant adjustment. DeAndre Yedlin, the speedy right back who gained international attention in last summer's World Cup, has moved to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

In the midfield, Neagle figures to start alongside fellow returners Marco Pappa, Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda, though Alonso isn't certain to take his usual starting role in the middle after offseason groin surgery.

In front of them, Seattle returns the dangerous attacking duo of Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey, who were on Nguyen's heels with 17 and 15 league goals, respectively.

"When you look at Seattle as a group, you have to be mindful of what Clint Dempsey's doing at all times, and what Obafemi Martins is doing at all times," Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. "When they have guys like Lamar Neagle, Marco Pappa and (Gonzalo) Pineda playing really well, it only makes Dempsey and Obafemi Martins that much better."

The Revolution had no trouble handling that attack last year, winning 5-0 in New England on May 11. Diego Fagundez scored twice, giving the 20-year-old midfielder four goals in three career games against the Sounders.