The question from early in the season - is the Sounders' opening legit? - is long since its expiration date. The new question is: can they recover in time to make the playoffs? Their most recent loss to Austin FC makes things look quite dire indeed.
Everyone on this Sounders club has major aura, as they showed when they won an instant (albeit very messy) classic Heritage Cup match on Wednesday. The question is: can they take this all the way to the Shield?
The Sounders haven't had the best go of it in the last two games, drawing against two teams they should have beaten and losing quite a bit of ground in the Shield race. What does Saturday's game say about the team?
The Sounders trailed the Whitecaps in possession, shots, and touches in the opposing half in the first leg - but it didn't matter. The Rave Green took the scoring chances that were given to them and turned them into a roaring victory.
The Seattle Sounders have struggled against Minnesota United FC during the 2025 season, but it's a whole new ballgame as the two teams are set to begin the postseason as Monday kicks off a three-game set.
