Two teams in the top half of the Major League Soccer Western Conference will meet on Saturday as Seattle Sounders host Minnesota United.
Both have started the new campaign strongly, but they also head into the game on the back of defeats that they will want to put behind them immediately.
Match preview
Seattle Sounders head into this match in third place after a confident start to the campaign that has seen them lose just two games so far.
However, one of those defeats took place in their most recent outing which they will now need to respond to, especially since the loss was a heavy 4-1 result against Portland Timbers.
It proved to be a second half to forget the Rave Green as they conceded four goals in the final 20 minutes of the game despite Raul Ruidiaz giving them the lead in the first half.
Seattle Sounders do remain undefeated at home, though, and with three victories and a draw they have been busy making Lumen Field a fortress.
Giovanni Savarese's men have not even conceded a goal across those four matches, and that defensive record is something that they will be trying to continue this time out.
The visitors were also on the losing end of things last weekend when they faced Orlando City, despite the fact that Bongokuhle Hlongwane had given them the lead in the first half.
Two goals in the second half allowed the Lions to secure all three points which was the second game in a row that Minnesota United have lost.
The previous defeat took place against Chicago Fire, and that is something that the team will now be looking to turn around so that they do not fall down the division.
Despite that, a victory could push the team into fourth place, and their strong away form throughout this season so far could help with that.
All three of Minnesota United's victories have taken place on the road, and that should provide plenty of confidence for the team heading into this particular match.
Team News
Kelwyn Rowe has missed a trio of games for Seattle Sounders due to injury, and he will be a doubt once again this weekend.
Joao Paulo is another player that the hosts will be missing for this match because of hamstring tightness which is leading to him being rested this time around.
Bakaye Dibassy remains a long-term injury problem for the visitors, and that is going to continue for the foreseeable future.
Ryen Jiba could be an option moving forward as he is slowly edging toward being fully fit, but his minutes will be managed when that is the case.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Nouhou; Rusnak, Atencio, Roldan, Lodeiro, Ruidiaz; Morris
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Lawrence; Trapp, Arriaga, Hlongwane, Lod, Fragapane; Amarilla
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Minnesota United
Both teams might be playing with confidence this season, but the recent struggles of Minnesota United could make this particular trip a tough one.
How to watch
You can watch Seattle Sounders vs. Minnesota United and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
