Minnesota
Everything you need to know about Sounders-Minnesota
The Seattle Sounders have been here before. In fact, they’ve been here quite often. This will the 17th time the Sounders have played a literal must-win playoff game since Brian Schmetzer took over in 2016. They have gone 11-5 in their previous 16 such games.
Minnesota United has a little more room for error after winning Game 1 in a penalty shootout, so it’s not a must-win for them. Historically, though, they’ve gone just 2-5 in must-win playoff games and are on a four-game losing streak. They will likely just as well avoid a must-win game if they can help it.
Here’s what you need to know:
Injury news
Sounders
OUT: Paul Arriola – Knee; Pedro de la Vega – Knee
Minnesota
None
Opposition players to watch
Kelvin Yeboah: The striker wasn’t healthy enough to start in Game 1, but he did come off the bench. It’s not entirely clear if he’s yet been cleared to start, but either way he gives the Loons a look they otherwise don’t have. Yeboah allows the Loons to play a more coherent style, acting as a hold-up player that allows them to build (to the degree they are interested).
Dayne St. Clair: No one cast a bigger shadow of Game 1 then the newly crowed Goalkeeper of the Year. Although he was really only tested a couple of times in regulation, he came up with a massive save in the shootout. His general presence can’t be overstated either as he just makes the goal seem smaller.
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Stats to look smart
2.4 — The Sounders generated 2.4 xG in Game 1, easily the most they had created in a game without scoring this year. If they are able to do that again, scoring at least one goal seems extremely likely.
4 – The Sounders have twice generated four big chances in a game in which they failed to score at least once. Both were against Minnesota United.
Tactics to impress
- The Sounders’ two best chances were generated with Jordan Morris sending in crosses from the right side to Danny Musovski. Don’t be at all surprised if we see that tactic attempted again.
- Minnesota United likely feels like for all the chances they gave up in Game 1, they were ultimately OK with the tradeoff. Their main focus will almost certainly be keeping numbers behind the ball and forcing the Sounders to break them down.
Opposition research
Inside Minnesota United’s rebirth: Playing “like Stoke City on a rainy Tuesday” & buying into data
The Loons’ unorthodox rebuild has seen them develop into one of MLS’s most modern and competitive outfits.
Kit matchup
Playoff bracket
Other reading
Statistical preview: Sounders vs. Minnesota United, Game 2
Match Preview
Of Red Mist & Red Herrings
Drama drives engagement so at the very least the fuel for the narrative was burning brightly.
Be aggressive, b-e aggressive
Sounders will need goals to get through Minnesota
Sounders likely sticking with Stefan Frei in future shootouts
Schmetzer seems skeptical of swapping in Andrew Thomas just for penalties.
Sounders say they are seeking new investors
The Sounders are enlisting an investment bank to raise capital for various projects, likely including a new stadium.
More listening
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Niko and Jeremiah talk through the possible sale of the Sounders
See how the bald eagle’s story shows its enduring symbolism
As the U.S. celebrates 250 years, the bald eagle endures as North America’s native sea eagle and national bird.
The common loon, Minnesota’s state bird, is more closely related to a penguin than a duck.
Despite loons predominantly living in the northern hemisphere and penguins mostly living in the southern hemisphere, researchers consider them to be genetic cousins. Taxonomic analyses placed them in an evolutionary cluster tracing back 40 million to 50 million years ago, along with herons and pelicans.
While loons and ducks share habitat on Minnesota lakes, they aren’t close relatives. Ducks are closer cousins to geese and swans.
After sharing a common ancestor, penguins and loons developed distinct characteristics. Loons can fly, but struggle to move on land; penguins can’t fly, but waddle on land. Penguins use flipper-like wings to swim; loons use webbed feet for underwater propulsion.
They have some similar features, however, including dense bones to help dive underwater and their tuxedo coloring.
MinnPost partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Fires in the past burned more frequently in western Canada, but recent years have seen that trend migrate eastward, with large fires now burning in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic provinces, Prof Chasmer said, leading to more noticeable smoke in densely populated cities like Toronto and New York.
Minnesota United, the Liberia Lone Star National Football Team and SARX today announced that the international friendly against the Liberia National Team, scheduled for July 26, 2026, has been canceled.
While we were looking forward to welcoming the Liberia National Team and celebrating the strong ties between Minnesota’s Liberian community and our club, circumstances outside of our control have made it necessary to cancel the match. We appreciate the understanding of our supporters and wish the Liberia National Team all the best.
Fans who purchased tickets to the match will be refunded within approximately 3-10 business days.
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