Entering the MLS Cup Playoffs the Seattle Sounders were the hottest team in the Western Conference. The second best team in the final six games of the regular season? The Colorado Rapids. Over the season the Rapids finished second in the league (15-6-13 +7, 4-6-7 -6 on the road). They only had one poor stretch. Seattle, on the other hand, started horribly and stayed that way for the first half the year. Then, Brian Schmetzer and Nicolas Lodeiro happened.
Both teams have injury concerns. Colorado’s are more recent, dropping players from their starting XI. Seattle used the international break to get more healthy, so their starting XI probably gets a boost.