Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders
What: MLS Cup Playoffs, Game 1
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
Radio: KSTP-AM, 1500
Weather: 53 degrees, cloudy, 11 east wind
Betting line: MNUFC plus-160; draw plus-250; Seattle plus-155
Format: Quirky best-of-three playoff series begin the MLS Cup Playoffs’ first round over the next few weeks. Game 2 will be near 10 p.m. Central Time next Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle. Game 3, if necessary, would be back in St. Paul on Nov. 8.
Form: Fourth seed Minnesota (16-8-10, 58 points) is 1-2-1 over its final four regular-season games. Fifth-seed Seattle (15-9-10, 55 points) has won its last three in regular season — each against playoff teams.
Recent matchups: The Loons won their first-ever game in Seattle, 3-2 on June 1. Minnesota completed the regular-season double against the Sounders with a 1-0 win in St. Paul on Aug. 16. Minnesota is 3-2-14 all-time against Seattle, including the infamous 3-2 loss in the 2020 Western Conference final.
Quote: Wil Trapp on a pair of wins over Seattle this season: “The performances were cagey. … (We were) very difficult to break down. They’re having to go around us instead of through us, and they just found it difficult.”
Absences: CB Carlos Harvey (knee) is out. CB Morris Duggan (leg) and FW Kelvin Yeboah have been increasing their training loads this week.
Scouting report: Given MNUFC’s struggles at center forward — Tani Oluwaseyi transferred and Kelvin Yeboah coming off injury — the Loons’ best shot of advancing is firmly on the back of a stout defense that allowed the third-fewest goals in MLS this season and success on set pieces. … Ramsay was asked Sunday about Seattle’s biggest threat: “Jordan Morris is looking like he’s nearing his best. He’s been a tricky player for Minnesota to play against.” The off-injured Morris is coming off a goal in the regular-season finale victory over New York City to give him five total in 1,032 minutes this season.
Prediction: The Loons aren’t as strong as they were in the previous two matches against Seattle this season. The Sounders are a veteran, cup-winning outfit that won’t be rattled by a playoff atmosphere. This opening game will go to penalty kicks, just like the Loons’ first-round series against Salt Lake last year. After drawing 1-1, Seattle wins in PKs (5-4).
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