The fifth-seed Seattle Sounders are taking on fourth-seeded Minnesota United in a Best-of-Three, Round One series in the MLS Cup Playoffs starting with Match 1 on Monday. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff for Match 1 will be at 6 p.m. PT (8 p.m. local time) at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.
PLAYOFF FORMAT: Every First Round game will have a winner, and there are no ties and no aggregate scoring. If a match is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time will be played and the contest will head straight to penalty kicks to decide a winner. The first team to win two matches advances to the Conference Semifinals. From there, it is a single-elimination tournament with the higher seed hosting. If a match is tied at the end of regulation, then two 15-minute extra time periods will be played with penalty kicks to decide a winner if the score remains tied.
FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE: Game Two will be in Seattle at Lumen Field on Monday, Nov. 3 (7:30 p.m. PT; TICKETS), while a Game Three, if necessary, will be held back in Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 8 (Time TBD).
WHERE TO WATCH: Game One will be televised on FS1 and FOX Deportes and available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on iHeartMedia Seattle and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2025 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 15-9-10 (55 points, 5th West), Loons: 16-8-10 (58 points, 4th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: WWWDL, Minnesota: LWDLL
2025 MEETINGS: The Loons swept the season series between the two clubs, winning first in Seattle 3-2 on June 1 before taking care of business at home 1-0 on Aug. 16.
WATCH PARTIES APLENTY: Support your Sounders from Seattle in Game One at an official Watch Party at multiple local bars and breweries across the city.
SOUNDERS UPPER HAND: The Sounders’ two losses to Minnesota this year were a rare occurrence. Since the Loons entered MLS in 2017, Seattle owns a commanding 16-5-4 advantage.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: The only other time Seattle and Minnesota met during the MLS Cup Playoffs came in front of a closed-stadium, COVID-impacted Western Conference Championship at Lumen Field in 2020. Down 2-0 in the second half, the Sounders pulled off one of the most miraculous comebacks in postseason history by downing the Loons 3-2 with three goals in 15 minutes, including a Gustav Svensson match-winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoff Hub
The Sounders’ quest continues. After making history with every major trophy, Seattle is back for more. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kick off October 27 as the Sounders face Minnesota United at Allianz Field. Head to the Playoff Hub to follow the action — tickets, schedules, watch parties, and team updates await.
ENTERING HOT: After a slightly tough hangover following their Leagues Cup title at the end of August, the Sounders enter the postseason unbeaten in their last four matches, including three consecutive victories. The defense has allowed just one goal in those three wins. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes into the playoffs with just one win in its last five (1-3-1).
DE LA VEGA SIDELINED: Seattle will be without star playmaker and Designated Player Pedro de la Vega for the remainder of 2025 after he underwent successful knee surgery on Tuesday. He suffered a fractured right patella on Decision Day the Sounders’ 2-1 win over New York City FC.
MORRIS BACK (AND SCORING): Seattle got a huge lift on Decision Day when forward Jordan Morris returned to the score sheet, a hopeful sign for things to come in the next few weeks. The Designated Player Homegrown forward missed much of the season with various injuries, which has limited him to just five goals in a little over 750 minutes, but he’s a dangerous threat in behind when healthy, as evidenced by last year’s crucial extra time winner at LAFC to send the Sounders to the Western Conference Championship.
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NOTHING GIVEN: The Loons sport one of the best defenses in MLS this season, finishing the year with just 39 goals conceded, which is third-best in the league behind only the Vancouver Whitecaps (38) and the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union (35).
HIT ON THE COUNTER: No one in the league likes playing with the ball less than the Loons, who averaged just under 40% possession per match this year. They’re more than comfortable sitting deep and defending in a low block, even at home, and picking their moments to break and send numbers forward.
OLUWASEYI LOSS: Minnesota lost one of its biggest attacking threats to the transfer market this summer, as forward Tani Oluwaseyi joined La Liga side Villarreal on a club-record deal worth a reported $8.5-9M. The Canadian international had 10 goals and eight assists in 2025 prior to departing for Spain.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Dayne St. Clair, GK
The margins get even slimmer in postseason play, which is why teams can often ride the backs of a strong goalkeeper to a deep playoff run. St. Clair is first in save percentage at just under 80% and first in Goals Minus Expected Goals, preventing nearly 10 more goals than expected over the course of the year. The Canadian international is one of the best in the league and a frontrunner for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for a reason.
