Seattle Sounders will play host to St Louis City this weekend when they clash in their MLS fixture this weekend at the Lumen Field.
Coming into this contest, both sides are separated by three points and three places, with Sounders ninth in the Western Conference standings after accruing 13 points, while the visitors are 12th in the table.
Match preview
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The Seattle Sounders missed out on a chance to claim three straight wins for the first time since October 2024, after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last Tuesday.
Daniel Musovski put the Sounders ahead in the 45th minute for his third goal of the season, but a Djordje Mihailovic second-half effort restored parity.
That outcome leaves Brian Schmetzer's team ninth in the Western Conference standings with 13 points after 10 matches in the current campaign.
Now returning home, the Rave Green have a chance to claim back-to-back wins on their home turf for the first time since July 2024.
Going into this contest, Schmetzer's men can rely on their backline that has conceded only 12 goals so far this term - a record which is the third best in the West.
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Meanwhile, St Louis City will come into this match off the back of two consecutive draws in the league.
The Missouri-based side held Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps to an impressive goalless draw in gameweek nine, and they followed that up with a 2-2 stalemate in their last MLS outing.
Olof Mellberg's team started the season unbeaten in four matches, claiming a couple of victories and two draws, before a run of six games without a victory.
Incidentally, their last triumph in the MLS, a 1-0 win, was recorded on March 16 against this weekend's opponents, and with that in mind, the away side will back themselves to repeat the same feat at the Lumen Field.
However, finding the back of the net is a major challenge for the visiting side, as they have only scored seven goals, one of the fewest returns in the West.
Team News
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Sounders have only a couple of players on the treatment table ahead of the weekend fixture, after seeing improvements in the fitness of the playing personnel.
Although Jackson Ragen and Paul Arriola are unavailable for the home side, Schmetzer has almost a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend.
New signing Ryan Kent has made two substitute appearances since he joined the Sounders, and he could be in line to earn his full debut this weekend.
On the opposite side, Chris Durkin is grappling with a knee injury, while Alfredo Morales is suspended after being sent off last time out.
Henry Kessler is also sidelined for the trip to the Lumen Field due to an undisclosed injury, while Lowen Eduard is out due to personal reasons.
Similarly, Rasmus Alm (hip), Roman Burki (hand) and Jayden Reid (foot) are doubtful for this fixture.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei, Kossa-Rienzi, Gomez, Kim Kee-Hee, Tolo; De la Vega, Vargas, Roldan, Rothrock; Musovski, Ferreira
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Lundt; Baumgartl, Yaro, Horn; Hiebert, Ostrak, Joyner, Wallem; Teuchert, Hartel; Klauss
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 St Louis City
These two sides come into this fixture looking to build on their recent performances, but Sounders go into this contest with an edge, playing in front of their fans, but we reckon this match will end in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
