Seattle Sounders and Dallas meet on Saturday evening with both teams looking to keep in the mix for the MLS playoffs.
Both sides currently sit just outside of the top nine in the Western Conference standings, albeit having found some form in recent weeks.
Match preview
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Given that a second-placed finish in the Western Conference was achieved in 2023, Seattle Sounders have been hugely disappointing this time around.
They have failed to post successive wins in MLS, while too many draws (seven) have been recorded despite boasting one of the best defensive records in the division.
That is despite keeping just the one clean sheet in six games, that coming at home to fourth-placed Minnesota United at the weekend.
Brian Schmetzer's side followed that up with a 2-2 draw at Houston Dynamo, pulling off an impressive turnaround having been two goals down at half time.
As a result, momentum is definitely on their side ahead of this fixture at a time when they still only sit three points adrift of sixth position.
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Sitting just one spot adrift of their hosts, Dallas finally appear to be finding some form under newly-appointed interim head coach Peter Luccin.
After a five-game winless streak under Nico Estevez, Luccin has impressively guided Dallas to successive victories in MLS for the first time since May 2023.
A 2-0 win was posted against St Louis City, before they defied two comebacks from Minnesota United to prevail 5-3 in an incredible game on Wednesday night.
Boasting a game in hand on many of the teams directly above them, there is a window of opportunity for the Burn, but they are still yet to win a single away game in nine attempts this season.
Team News
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Nouhou Tolo seems likely to earn a recall to the Seattle side having being introduced as a half-time substitute last time out.
Yeimar Gomez is expected to be the player to drop out of the team, while Danny Musovski made a positive impact as a substitute and will be under consideration for just his third MLS start of 2024.
Three of Dallas' goals against Minnesota United were assisted by substitutes, with Sebastian Lletget in particular chipping in with two of those.
The playmaker could be brought back into the final third, but Logan Farrington may have to remain patient despite his impact from the bench.
Alan Velasco, Geovane Jesus and Paxton Pomykal are all missing with long-term injuries.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Tolo, Ragen, Bell; Roldan, Vargas, Atencio, Baker-Whiting; Rothrock, Morris, Rusnak
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Ibeagha, Tafari, Junqua; Arriola, Fraser, Illaramendi, Kamungo; Ferreira, Lletget; Musa
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-2 Dallas
With both teams on an upward curve, we expect a competitive encounter to play out on Saturday night. Goals were scored at each end in their respective most recent fixtures, and more of the same could occur at the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
