Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders are looking to extend the gap between themselves and second-placed Colorado Rapids, who have a game in hand on Brian Schmetzer's side, when they host Minnesota United on Saturday.

The visitors also have it all to play for as they currently sit in fifth spot, two points ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps in the playoff series positions, approaching the final 10 games in the league.

Match preview

Seattle Sounders have allowed Colorado Rapids the opportunity to leapfrog them into top spot, after Schmetzer's side lost 2-0 at home to Portland Timbers last time out.

The Sounders created more chances on goal in that game, but Sebastian Blanco and Felipe Mora scored the only two shots the visitors registered on target to sink Seattle to their first defeat in five games across all competitions.

That result came as a surprise to many, after the league leaders travelled to Portland just over three weeks ago and came away with an emphatic 6-2 victory.

However, Seattle's form at the Lumen Field does not represent a team that is top of the table, currently sitting eighth in the home form chart, winning less than half of their games in Washington.

Minnesota United recovered from their 4-0 opening day defeat against the Sounders to become the first team to defeat Schmetzer's side this season, winning 1-0 on July 18.

Since that victory, Adrian Heath's team have only lost once in nine MLS outings, with their most recent fixture ending in a 2-1 win away from home against Houston Dynamo.

That game did not start well for Minnesota, who found themselves 1-0 down inside the first two minutes, but a brace from striker Adrien Hunou completed the turnaround and recovered the game for the visitors.

As much as Seattle's home form is not the best compared to other teams in the Western Conference, Minnesota's away results show that they have drawn too many games in their quest to climb the table.

That victory against Houston was only the side's second three points away from the Allianz Field, but they have been held to one point on five occasions from their 10 fixtures away from home this season.

Team News

Seattle Sounders have two players who are suffering with long-term injuries - Jordan Morris, who damaged cruciate ligaments while on loan at Swansea City in February, and Jordy Delem, who is expected to be sidelined until January also with cruciate ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei only managed the first five games of this MLS season before spraining his knee, and he is still recovering from that injury so Stefan Cleveland will continue between the posts for the home side.

Schmetzer opts to play a back three which will consist of Shane O'Neill, Xavier Arreaga and Yeimar Gomez, with Brad Smith and Alex Roldan operating as wing-backs.

Minnesota will be keen to welcome back top goalscorer Robin Lod, who has been absent since August 8 due to a calf injury, but he is still a doubt for this weekend's fixture.

Franco Fragapane and Niko Hansen are also in the physio room with injuries, and both wingers will miss out on Saturday. Hassani Dotson and Ethan Finlay will start in the wide positions for the visitors.

Heath made two changes to his side last time out, with Brent Kallman and Jacori Hayes coming into the side in place of Bakaye Dibassy and Emanuel Reynoso.

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Cleveland; O'Neill, Arreaga, Gomez; Smith, Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Alex Roldan; Lodeiro, Montero; Ruidiaz

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Gasper, Kallman, Boxall, Metanire; Trapp, Alonso; Dotson, Hayes, Finlay; Hunou

We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Minnesota United

Seattle Sounders may be starting to feel the pressure of leading the way, and with Colorado Rapids chasing them down, they will be desperate to not lose consecutive matches.

Minnesota could feed off the pressure on Seattle, and after a good victory against Houston, the visitors will back themselves not to lose against the table toppers.

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