Seattle Sounders Face Minnesota United in MLS Playoffs Opening Round

The Seattle Sounders face Minnesota United in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the series beginning at Allianz Field in Saint Paul. Minnesota swept Seattle in the regular season for the first time since 2017, relying on strong defense and limiting fouls around the box to prevent set-piece goals; Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer has emphasized avoiding such fouls as Minnesota led the league in set-piece scoring. Key Sounders players to watch include forward Jordan Morris, who leads the club in playoff goals despite injuries, forward Jesús Ferreira, noted for his playmaking, and veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who leads MLS active keepers in postseason saves and shutouts. The playoff format removes draws and extra time, deciding tied matches by penalty kicks, a scenario in which Seattle has previous success due to their extensive playoff experience. Minnesota United boasts strong offensive players like Anthony Markanich and maintains a solid home record, while Seattle relies on goal-scoring from players like Danny Musovski, who led the team with 14 goals in the regular season. The matchup is expected to be tightly contested given Minnesota's defensive prowess and Seattle's playoff experience and talent depth.