The Seattle Sounders are taking on FC Dallas on Monday in the first round of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch for FREE on Apple TV, FS1 and Fox Deportes.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on iHeartMedia Seattle and El Rey 1360AM.
NEW PLAYOFF FORMAT: Major League Soccer unveiled a new playoff format for the 2023 season, with a notable addition of a best-of-three Round One matchup. The Sounders will host FC Dallas on Monday before visiting Frisco, Texas, for the second match on Saturday, Nov. 4, and will return to Seattle for a deciding third match on Friday, Nov 10, if necessary. Click here for more information on the new postseason structure.
2023 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 14-9-11 (53 points, 2nd West), Dallas: 11-10-13 (46 points, 7th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first, all competitions): Seattle: WDWDW, Dallas: WDDDD
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Sounders and FC Dallas played to two 1-1 draws this season. A Sam Junqua own goal was canceled out by a Bernard Kamungo goal at Lumen Field on July 15 before Jáder Obrian and Alex Roldan traded goals in Texas on Sept. 16.
RECENT HISTORY: Seattle and Dallas have a proclivity for meeting in the postseason, as the two clubs have met in five of the last nine years. The Sounders dispatched Dallas in both of their runs to MLS Cup in 2016 and ’19.
A WELCOME RETURN: One year after failing to qualify for the postseason for the first time in their MLS history, the Sounders responded in a major way. Seattle finished the season second in the Western Conference, just three points out of first.
COMING IN HOT: The Sounders and Dallas enter the postseason in great form, with each riding a nine-match unbeaten streak. Seattle (4-0-5) and Dallas (2-0-7) also had strong Decision Days, winning 2-0 on the road at St. Louis CITY and 4-1 at the LA Galaxy, respectively.
Playoff Tickets On Sale Now
Playoff tickets for our Round One match against FC Dallas on October 30 are on sale now! Want to be notified when playoff tickets go on sale for future rounds should we advance? Sign up for ticket on-sale alerts below.
DEFENSIVE RECORD: Seattle finished the season with just 32 goals conceded, which tied for best in MLS (Nashville SC) and set a club record for goals allowed. Stefan Frei recorded his league-leading 14th cleat sheet in St. Louis on Decision Day, which also set a career high, besting his previous record of 13 he set in 2017.
DEFENSIVE BATTLE: Dallas comes into the postseason boasting the third-best defense itself. Nico Estévez’s side has been difficult to beat all season, having allowed just 37 goals.
FERREIRA FIRING: Dallas is led up front by United States national team forward Jesús Ferreira, who finished the season with 12 goals, twice as many as anyone else on his team. He also led Dallas in assists with six.
FUTURE IS BRIGHT: An FC Dallas player topped MLS’ 22 Under 22 list, which highlights the best players in the league under the age of 22, for the third consecutive year. Following Ricardo Pepi in 2021 and Ferreira last year, Alan Velasco earned the prestigious recognition this season. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who received a call-up to Argentina recently, had four goals and four assists this year after recording six goals and seven assists in his first MLS campaign in 2022.
