Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps

Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps are set to trade tackles at the Lumen Field in a tasty-looking MLS encounter.

Following an abysmal start to the new MLS season, Seattle Sounders look to be back on track. A run of three wins from their last four league fixtures (L1) has helped the ‘Sounders’ come to within a two-point distance of seventh-placed Houston Dynamo. But in order to make it to the Western Conference playoffs for the seventh season running, Brian Schmetzer’s men have to stay on the upwards trajectory. Playing at the Lumen Field should aid that bid, with Seattle racking up three wins in their last four home MLS outings (L1), despite failing to keep a clean sheet in each victory. Another high-scoring contest could be on the cards, as three of Seattle’s five previous MLS games against Vancouver have seen over 3.5 goals and both teams scoring.

In the meantime, Vancouver Whitecaps have bounced back from a 2-1 away defeat to Charlotte FC by winning back-to-back league matches by a single-goal margin. Yet, they still languish one point adrift of the playoff zone, mainly due to their underwhelming away form. Before claiming a narrow 1-0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City on their most recent travel, the ‘Village’ had lost their opening six MLS away fixtures by an aggregate score of 16-4. Particularly vulnerable before half-time, Vanni Sartini’s men have conceded a league-high nine first-half goals on the road in this MLS season. Another slow start could cost Vancouver dearly, as they’ve lost four out of five MLS games in which they conceded first this term (W1).