The Sounders know what it takes to succeed under pressure.
From being 2x MLS Cup champs (2016,’19), becoming the only MLS team to secure a Concacaf Champions Cup trophy (2022), to most recently collecting their first-ever Leagues Cup title, the Sounders are at their best when the stakes are high.
On Monday night, the Rave Green will need to tap into that never quit mentality as the team takes on Minnesota United in a must-win Match 2 of the Round One, Best-of-3 series of the MLS Cup playoffs at Lumen Field (7:45 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Apple TV+, FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN/RDS, iHeart App, SiriusXM FC 157, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
“We have an experienced group of players that have played in big games, finals, championship games…So I don't think we're panicking,” said midfielder Albert Rusnák.
Oct. 27’s Match 1 result at Allianz Field left the Sounders’ with their backs against the wall; Following a competitive but scoreless 90 minutes, the two sides went straight to a penalty shootout, where the Loons overpowered the Rave Green 3-2 to secure the win.
The path forward is simple for the Sounders: win on Monday and force the series to a decisive Match 3. While this is no simple task against a strong Minnesota side, the Sounders are confident in their preparations and underlying talent to come away with a win.
“We feel like we're built for moments like this,” said forward Jordan Morris.
Following Match 1, Rusnák and defender Jackson Ragen voiced that there wasn’t much to be corrected about the way the team played other than putting away the attacking chances they created.
“I think we created chances, and we just need to execute,” said Ragen. “We'll make some changes, some slight tweaks, but I think overall, I'm happy with the way the team played. I thought we deserved more than a loss.”
The Sounders took 14 shots, including four big chances, and generated 2.4 Expected Goals and 69% of the possession throughout the match. Heading into the next match, the idea is to maintain a similar dominance, while understanding how to better break down one of the top defenses in MLS: in 34 regular season matches in 2025, the Loons gave up the fewest goals than any other team in the league (39).
This, in addition to utilizing the fans in the stands, will be vital as the team looks to power through to a third Round One match.
“Teams don't like to come here and play. They feel the crowd. They feel the energy,” said Morris. “So it's important that we're playing at home and we're going to need the fans and that encouragement as we push forward.”
