The Seattle Sounders are visiting New York City FC on Decision Day on Saturday in the final match of the MLS regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. local time) at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2025 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 14-9-10 (52 points, 5th West), NYCFC: 17-11-5 (56 points, 5th East)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: WWDLL, NYCFC: LWLWW
PREVIOUS MEETING: It’s been over three years since the Sounders last faced NYCFC, when Seattle defeated New York 4-2 on aggregate in the Concacaf Champions Cup (née League) semifinals. The Sounders won 3-1 at Lumen Field before drawing 1-1 away in Leg Two. The last time Seattle met NYCFC in the MLS regular season was in July 2019, when NYCFC won 3-0 at Yankee Stadium.
FIFTH LOCKED UP: Positioning is set for the Sounders, who are guaranteed to finish fifth in the West regardless of their result and others around the league. As it stands entering the weekend, the Sounders would take on Minnesota United in a best-of-three First Round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs with the Loons owning home-field advantage.
REINFORCEMENTS: The Sounders were without 11 players last week due to injury international duty and suspension in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake. Seattle will be buoyed by the return of Cristian Roldan (United States), Nouhou (Cameroon), Snyder Brunell (U.S. U-19s), Georgi Minoungou (Burkina Faso), as well as Obed Vargas (Mexico U-20s) and Reed Baker-Whiting (U.S. U-20s), who were at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. Albert Rusnák (suspension) will also be available on Decision Day.
ENDING ON A HIGH: After a blip in form following their Leagues Cup title, the Sounders enter Decision Day on the heels of back-to-back 1-0 wins. A third consecutive victory on Saturday would set Seattle up nicely heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs.
HOME SUCCESS: New York City FC has 11 wins at home this year, which is tied for second in MLS. Only Charlotte FC (12) and the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union (12) have more victories at home.
POSSESSION BATTLE: Both NYCFC and the Sounders love to possess the ball and impose their will on their opponents. New York City FC is fourth in MLS this year with 54.1% possession per game, while Seattle is sixth at 53.5%.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Alonso MartÃnez, F
The Costa Rica international has had tremendous success leading NYCFC’s attacking line over the past two seasons since arriving from Belgium’s Lommel SK, which is also owned by City Football Group. MartÃnez followed up a 16-goal, three-assist effort in 2024 with a 17-goal, two-assist performance in 2025. His 17 MLS goals are tied for sixth in the league.
