MLS playoffs: Sounders to host Minnesota United in Western Conference final



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There will be at least one more home game for the Seattle Sounders in their quest to repeat themselves as MLS Cup champions, but they’ll have to go through a familiar face to make it happen.

The Sounders needed Minnesota United to upset Sporting Kansas City on the road Thursday night, and the Loons did and more. Scoring three times in 12 minutes, Minnesota put on a full performance at Children’s Mercy Park, beating the hosts 3-0. The victory means the Sounders will face team legend Osvaldo Alonso, as United look to book their first-ever MLS Cup trip.

There is no shortage of scenarios for the game, even with the short time frame. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. PT on Monday. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, but MLS moved the game to avoid a potential conflict in the stadium, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New York Giants at 1:05 p.m. that day. A team spokesperson has confirmed that there will be no fence lines on the pitch for the game.

The Sounders and Loons have not met this year, due to schedule changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. The league restarted the season in August, preferring regional clashes to a schedule in which each team typically plays at least once.

It won’t be the first time the Sounders have faced Alonso in a Minnesota United uniform. The teams met in the final game of the 2019 regular season, with the Sounders securing a 1-0 victory over a header from Roman Torres and Alonso playing 90 minutes. Alonso also walked the distance in the May 4, 2019 game between the teams at Allianz Field, Minnesota, a 1-1 draw.

It’s fair to say that the stakes are significantly higher this time around.

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