Wait, didn’t we just play these guys? What in tarnation, who made this schedule? This Saturday, August 24, the Seattle Sounders will be at Allianz Field for their third match against the Black and Blue in 2024, and the Loons will be looking to flip the script this time around. A pair of shutout losses out in Washington likely haven’t sat well with Eric Ramsay and company, and with plenty of opportunity to prepare for this one, they’ll have high hopes that they can punctuate their return to league action with a three-point performance.
Minnesota United (9-10-6)
Run of Form: W-L-W-L-D (All competitions)
Though the Loons were eliminated from Leagues Cup in the group stage, they did not go quietly. A dud against Seattle left work to do against Necaxa, and though they gave it a decent shot, it wasn’t enough. The heroics of Dayne St. Clair papered over some of the cracks left by players in other areas of the pitch, but a good performance comes from an entire team, as does a bad one. Even before the Leagues Cup break, the Loons’ league form had begun to trend in a positive direction, with a win against San Jose serving as their final send-off before the international competition. MNUFC hasn’t really been able to get every cylinder firing at the same time, but we’ve seen that each one is capable of firing. If the stars can realign on Saturday night and we’re treated to a comprehensive performance from back to front, it could be quite a return to MLS action for the home team.
Seattle Sounders (10-8-7)
Run of Form: L-W-W-L-W (All competitions)
The Sounders have been a bit of an enigma this season. They’ve strung together some impressive runs of form, but they’ve also been liable to drop games unexpectedly. They’re fresh off of a solid Leagues Cup run, scoring 10 goals in five games on their way to a quarterfinal exit at the hands of a very in-form LAFC side. Funny enough, their last MLS match was also against LAFC on July 20, a game they likewise lost 3-0. I guess Steve Cherundolo has got Seattle’s number, eh? Between Seattle locals Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock, the Sounders are playing some dangerous soccer at the moment; LAFC aside, I don’t think there are many teams that would enjoy seeing Brian Schmetzer’s men on the other half of the field right now.
Keys to the Match:
The Freshest of Legs
Obviously, winning Leagues Cup would have been far preferable to falling out in the group stage. But there’s always a silver lining, folks, you’ve just got to look for it. Unless you're in scintillating form—which the Loons were not—an extended break in the middle of the season is a real luxury. By the time the Loons line up this weekend, they will have gone 24 days without playing a proper competitive match. Seattle, on the other hand, played four matches during that time frame. MNUFC is going to be at home, well-rested, and ready for action against a tired Sounders side that’s going to have to travel more than 1,500 miles for the matchup. As far as energy and preparedness go, the Black and Blue have the big advantage in this one; they need to use that freshness for 90 minutes, taking the game to the visitors from the first whistle to the last. Run circles around them, and then keep going. Use all of that energy!
Rubber, Meet Road
After an active transfer window saw the Loons add five new players since their last match, it’s finally time to see how that business translates to the pitch. While not all of the new guys will be available for selection this weekend, the likes of Kelvin Yeboah, Matúš Kmeť, and Jefferson Diaz are in contention to suit up. The sooner Coach Ramsay can get these new pieces integrated and firing, the better off the Loons will be in their playoff push. Should they play, expect to see Yeboah slot in up top in some attacking capacity, while Kmet and Diaz will add to the backline. Kmet in particular will likely be used as a wingback, while Diaz will join the likes of Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias in the back three. They may not start, nor get very many minutes, but I’d wager these new faces will get their first run this weekend. Debuts have a way of making magical things happen, so watch these guys closely.
Is That a Monkey on My Back?
Historically, the Loons have struggled against Seattle; we all know this by now. With just one win in 16 tries, they’re not MNUFC’s favorite opponents. This year alone, MNUFC lost 2-0 in each of their first two matches against the Sounders, and though they weren’t blown out in either match, the perceived predictability of their results against Seattle may play into the poor performances. Until you’ve done something, it’s hard to believe that you can do it again. But all it takes is one; one win turns into two, two gets us on our way to evening the series, and so on and so forth. Instead of thinking about what has happened against Seattle in the past, the Black and Blue need to keep their eyes forward. The past is the past; all that matters once that whistle blows is what you’re doing with the moment at hand.
