First places is again the goal. This week’s match against Minnesota United can result in the Seattle Sounders taking first in the West (a draw would mean second, a loss third) and possibly as high as fourth in the Shield. Seattle gets Osvaldo Alonso back as a starter, though Brad Evans is out.
The Loons added several players during the transfer window and are a better team than they were during the four-nil loss in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Look for the Sounders to press throughout the pitch, trying to force a team that struggles to pass quickly to make the errors that plague an expansion side.