It would definitely be hyperbolic to suggest that any match this early in the season is anywhere close to a must-win, but after a run of disappointing results three points sure would do a lot of good for the Seattle Sounders.
Maybe it’s a good thing that the Vancouver Whitecaps aren’t in some horrible slump themselves. Sure, they’ve lost two straight, but both of those were on the road and the underlying numbers kinda love them. They will be missing their top centerback and it’s unclear if fellow projected starters Ryan Gauld and Tristan Blackmon will be deemed fit.