Minnesota United faces Seattle Sounders amid squad fatigue, with coach Eric Ramsay refusing excuses. Seattle enters with momentum after a Club World Cup run, while Ramsay seeks squad improvements. Key players like Tani Oluwaseyi and Danny Musovski will be crucial in what is predicted to be a draw.
Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is facing a challenging situation as his squad prepares to take on the Seattle Sounders. Following a 2-1 defeat to the Colorado Rapids, which left the Loons five points adrift of Western Conference leaders San Diego FC, Ramsay acknowledges fatigue within his ranks. However, he insists he will not be making excuses as they gear up for the match at Allianz Field.
The Loons are aiming to avoid a third consecutive home league loss this weekend. Despite the difficulties, Ramsay maintains a resolute stance. He admitted to squad depth issues but made it clear that he seeks no sympathy regarding the situation. Instead, he focuses on solutions and internal improvements.
"I’m not one of those coaches that is going to make excuses in that sense, but we are running with some players at the moment, and we have played a lot of games," Ramsay stated, highlighting the physical strain on his players. He emphasized the need for reinforcements to inject energy and freshness into the squad, similar to the dynamic shift experienced last year.
Ramsay expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts behind the scenes to address these issues. "We trust that the work going on behind the scenes will result in that," he said, indicating that the club is actively seeking to bolster the squad. However, he stressed the importance of internal reflection and accountability. "The players, they look at themselves, they look at the culture, the level of detail and are we turning over every stone?" Ramsay explained, underscoring the team's commitment to self-improvement.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders are entering the match with considerable momentum. Fresh off their successful run at the Club World Cup, they are unbeaten in their last seven MLS matches. Their recent performance saw them convincingly defeat Western Conference strugglers LA Galaxy 4-0, with Danny Musovski scoring twice. Seattle will be keen to avenge their earlier defeat to Minnesota, which marked their only home league loss of the season.
Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer is confident about his team's chances against Minnesota. Despite an earlier loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, which was part of the only back-to-back MLS losses Seattle has suffered this season, Schmetzer believes his side matches up well against the Loons. "I think this will be a totally different match. I think we match up well with Minnesota," he stated.
Schmetzer acknowledged Minnesota's strong execution this season, noting their solid underlying numbers. However, he expressed confidence in his team's current form and their ability to challenge Minnesota. "We’re in a good run of form, and we’re going to give them a game," Schmetzer asserted.
As for players to watch, Minnesota United's Tani Oluwaseyi, who leads his team with 10 goals this season, will be crucial. Despite scoring in their recent loss to the Rapids, Oluwaseyi will be aiming for a better result this time around. On the Seattle side, Danny Musovski's recent form makes him a key threat. Musovski scored his second brace in his last three MLS matches against the Galaxy, bringing his season total to 10 goals.
Despite Seattle's strong away record against Minnesota, with four wins in seven road matches, a draw seems the most likely outcome. Seattle's impressive unbeaten streak and scoring form contrast with Minnesota's recent home struggles, setting the stage for a tightly contested match. While Seattle has won four of their seven road matches against Minnesota (D2 L1) and are unbeaten in their last three visits to St. Paul (W2 D1). The four victories are the most MLS regular-season wins by any team in away matches against the Loons.
The Sounders are also unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions (W7 D3), including scoring multiple goals in each of their last eight matches. It’s the first time since joining MLS in 2009 that Seattle have scored at least two goals in eight consecutive competitive matches. Minnesota, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back home losses in all competitions for the first time in 2025. The Loons’ only longer home losing streak in competitive matches was a three-game skid last season in June and July.
Match Prediction: Draw
Opta Win Probability:
- Minnesota United – 35.4%
- Draw – 26%
- Seattle Sounders – 38.6%