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Seattle Sounders
Major League Soccer | Gameweek 1
Apr 17, 2021 at 2.30am UK
CenturyLink Field
Minnesota United

Seattle
4 - 0
Minnesota Utd

Paulo (49'), Ruidiaz (70', 73'), Montero (86')
Arreaga (44'), Paulo (54'), Roldan (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Reynoso (32'), Gasper (76')

Preview: Seattle Sounders vs. Minnesota United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United renew their recent rivalry on Friday as they look to begin the new MLS campaign with a positive result.

After sixth and ninth-placed finishes respectively, these two teams met in the MLS Cup playoffs with the Sounders claiming a 3-2 win in the semi-finals.


Match preview

Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer against the Columbus Crew in the first half during the 2020 MLS Cup Final at MAPFRE Stadium in December 2020© Reuters

Having qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 12 attempts, the Sounders will be targeting another productive campaign this time around.

There was inevitably disappointment with failing to defend their MLS Cup crown last season, succumbing by a 3-0 scoreline at the hands of Columbus Crew.

Nevertheless, Brian Schmetzer will be confident that there will be no lasting effects as his side first attempt to finish at the top of the Western Conference standings.

Much is expected of key man Nicolas Lodeiro, who chipped in with seven goals and 10 assists from just 20 appearances in 2020.

There is also a buzz around the return of club legend Fredy Montero, with the forward having contributed 60 strikes in all competitions between 2009 and 2012.

While Minnesota narrowly lost out to the Sounders in the last four of the MLS Cup in December, the Loons enjoyed one of the best campaigns in recent memory.

Claiming fourth spot in the Western Conference matched their effort of the previous season, and they are now regarded as one of the most fancied sides in the division.

Adrian Heath has worked wonders since his arrival at the club, only increasing expectations that they can enjoy an even more productive year.

The departure of key man Kevin Molino came as a blow, but the additions of midfielder Will Trapp and forward Ramon Abila will only benefit this squad over the next eight months.

Seattle Sounders form (friendlies):
  • D
  • W
  • W

Minnesota United form (friendlies):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath yells to his team during the second half between FC Dallas and the Minnesota United at Toyota Stadium in August 2020© Reuters

Montero and fellow new arrival Kelyn Rowe could both feature for the Sounders in the final third.

Nouhou Tolo is expected to get the nod over former Bournemouth defender Brad Smith at left-back.

Minnesota are well stocked for options in midfield, meaning that Trapp may have to wait for his first start.

The same could apply to Abila, who only joined the club last week, so Juan Agudelo is expected to get the nod in attack.

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A.Roldan, Gomez, Arreaga, Nouhou; Lodeiro, C.Roldan, Joao Paulo, Rowe; Montero, Ruidiaz

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St.Clair; Metanire, Boxall, Dibassy, Gasper; Alonso, Gregus; Finlay, Reynoso, Lod; Agudelo


SM words green background

We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Minnesota United

While this fixture is not the standout game of matchday one, it could prove to be one of the most competitive. The visitors will fancy their chances of causing a minor upset, but we are backing the Sounders to build on their performances at the end of last season.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Seattle Sounders win with a probability of 59.69%. A draw had a probability of 20.5% and a win for Minnesota United had a probability of 19.83%.

The most likely scoreline for a Seattle Sounders win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.83%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (8.56%) and 1-0 (8.07%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (9.26%), while for a Minnesota United win it was 1-2 (5.31%). The actual scoreline of 4-0 was predicted with a 3.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Seattle Sounders would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Seattle vs Minnesota Utd

Seattle Sounders
64.3%
Draw
0.0%
Minnesota United
35.7%
14
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1Inter MiamiInter Miami1163226161021
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati10532129318
3New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls104511410417
4Toronto105141113-216
5Columbus Crew10361129315
6New York City FCNY City104241110114
7Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia83411511413
8DC United103431415-113
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta9333139412
10CF MontrealMontreal93331216-412
11Charlotte FCCharlotte FC103251013-311
12Chicago Fire102441118-710
13Orlando City92341117-69
14Nashville SCNashville91531017-78
15New England RevolutionNew England9117618-124

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Salt LakeSalt Lake10532179818
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy105322117418
3Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver95221810817
4Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd95221510517
5Los Angeles FCLos Angeles104331816215
6Colorado RapidsColorado104331615115
7Austin FCAustin104331413115
8Houston DynamoHouston9414910-113
9St Louis City92611514112
10Sporting Kansas CityKansas102531818011
11Portland TimbersPortland102442021-110
12Dallas9225912-38
13Seattle SoundersSeattle91351011-16
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes101181425-114


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