The Seattle Sounders are visiting Minnesota United on Saturday in a decisive Match 3 of their Best-of-3 First Round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1 p.m. PT (3 p.m. local time) at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
PLAYOFF FORMAT: Every First Round game will have a winner, and there are no ties and no aggregate scoring. If a match is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time will be played and the contest will head straight to penalty kicks to decide a winner. The first team to win two matches advances to the Conference Semifinals. From there, it is a single-elimination tournament with the higher seed hosting. If a match is tied at the end of regulation, then two 15-minutes extra time periods will be played to decide a winner. If the match remains tied, it will then head to penalties.
MATCH 1 AND 2 RESULTS: The Sounders and Loons played to a scoreless draw in Match 1 on Monday, Oct. 27, at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn., before Minnesota won the ensuing penalty shootout 3-2. Seattle responded at home this past Monday with a 4-2 victory to even the series at 1-1 and force a winner-takes-all Match 3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner on Saturday will advance to the Western Conference Semifinals against either San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers, who play their own Match 3 on Sunday. If San Diego advances, Minnesota or Seattle would visit San Diego. If Portland advances, Minnesota or Seattle would host Portland.
NEW FORMATION: The Sounders gave the Loons a new look in Match 2, opting for a two-forward setup rather than Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s usual 4-2-3-1. The switch worked to perfection, netting goals for both starting forwards Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski in the first half and powering Seattle to a four-goal attacking outburst.
VARGAS FLYING: While Morris and Musovski got on the score sheet, it was central midfielder Obed Vargas who led the way with his first career brace. The 20-year-old Mexican international was a lynchpin on both sides of the ball as he has been during his entire breakout 2025.
2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoff Hub
The Sounders’ quest continues. After making history with every major trophy, Seattle is back for more. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kick off October 27 as the Sounders face Minnesota United at Allianz Field. Head to the Playoff Hub to follow the action — tickets, schedules, watch parties, and team updates await.
MLS BEST XIs: The Sounders and Loons each had representation on the 2025 MLS Best XI awards. Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan earned his first nod, as did the Loons’ MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in Dayne St. Clair.
DEFENSIVELY UNCHARACTERISTIC: Minnesota boasted the third-best goals against mark in MLS this season and had allowed more than three goals just once until the Sounders exploded for four in Match 2. How well the Loons’ low defensive block holds up in Match 3 will determine which side advances to the conference semis.
