Seattle Sounders, currently in ninth place, are poised to face the high-flying Real Salt Lake, who currently lead the Western Conference standings, at CenturyLink Field in Major League Soccer.
The hosts lost the reverse fixture between these two sides earlier in the season, leaving them out for revenge when they match up on Thursday morning.
Match preview
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Seattle have had a fantastic time since joining MLS as the league's 15th team in 2009, only dropping outside of the top four of the Western Conference on one occasion and claiming MLS Cup victories in 2016 and 2019.
2022 saw them fail to finish in the MLS Cup playoff positions for the first time in their history as they dropped to 11th place after finishing as runners-up in the Western Conference in each of the five seasons prior.
They bounced back in terrific fashion last year though as they reclaimed second place in the conference, placing seventh across the entire MLS, ultimately being knocked out by eventual runners-up Los Angeles FC in the conference semi-finals of the MLS Cup.
This season they have failed to reach the heights they have previously achieved as Brian Schmetzer's men occupy the final playoff position, just a point above Portland Timbers and St Louis City, who hold a game in hand over the Sounders.
The Rave Green failed to win any of their opening five matches and only managed one victory in their first nine, but a recent improvement has seen them start to climb the rankings.
They kicked off the run with a 3-2 victory against Philadelphia Union and have since lost just one of the following eight games, with that coincidentally coming against Thursday's opponents.
Most recently, Seattle have beaten Phoenix Rising in the US Open Cup as they hunt for a record fifth triumph, and also secured a 2-1 victory against St Louis, leaving them in good form ahead of this one.
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Salt Lake will provide a completely different challenge to what they faced in their last two games, currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference and third in the MLS rankings.
The visitors have not lost in the league since a 2-1 defeat to Colorado Rapids in March, leaving them unbeaten in their last 11 MLS games with seven of those being victories.
Salt Lake will be confident that their brilliant run of results will help them get over the line with a win against Seattle for the third consecutive time across all competitions, while they have not been beaten by the Green Rave in any of their last three meetings.
While Pablo Mastroeni's men have been largely impressive so far this term, no victories in any of their last three matches on the road may be a slight worry for the coach ahead of this one.
Team News
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The home side are carrying a whole host of injuries heading into this game, leaving them unable to call upon the services of up to seven players.
Braudilio Rodrigues, Jon Bell, Joshua Atencio and Pedro De la Vega are all expected to be out until next month with hamstring injuries.
Leo Chu and Nathan are also expected to return at some point in June, while Nathan Cardoso's return date is unknown.
The hosts are not without their own injury concerns after seven of their own missed out on the 3-3 draw with FC Dallas last time out.
Bode Hidalgo and Zavier Gozo are both unlikely to return to the squad for this game but their return from injury is imminent.
Kevin Bonilla, Zack Farnsworth, Erik Holt, Pablo Ruiz and Marcelo Silva are all expected to remain on the treatment table.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A Roldan, Andrade, Ragen, Baker; C Roldan, Paulo; Vargas, Rusnak, Morris; Ruidiaz
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brody, Glad, Quinton, Katranis; Ojeda, Eneli; Gomez, Crooks, Luna; Arango
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Seattle have drawn four times in the league when playing at home this season, the second most of any team in MLS, and with Salt Lake drawing four times on the road this year, we expect this one to end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
