New York City FC v Seattle Sounders: 'We're ready for whatever the league throws at us', says Ferreira

The Seattle Sounders are "ready for whatever the league throws at us" as they aim to build momentum heading into the playoffs.

Fifth place in MLS' Western Conference take on fifth place in the East as Seattle head to New York City FC on Saturday for the final regular-season game of 2025.

Both teams are already sure of their place in the first round of the playoffs.

Seattle are on a three-game unbeaten streak, and forward Jesus Ferreira knows the importance of positive momentum heading into the postseason.

"We're going to go and try to fight for the three points," he said.

"We have a group of guys here that are always ready for whatever the league might throw [at us].

"We have to start thinking like [it’s] playoff time and show that we're here for business. We have to go out there and show what we can do."

It was a sentiment echoed by long-serving Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer, who led the Sounders to the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019.

"Whatever team we put out there, we're not going to fly all the way to New York just to roll over," he said, as hinting at making some changes.

This is the first regular-season game between NYCFC and Seattle since 2019, though the teams did meet in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYCFC – Alonso Martinez

Martinez leads NYCFC in shots (99) and goals (17) this season.

He needs to have just one shot in the finale to become the third NYCFC player with at least 100 shots in a single regular season, joining David Villa (four times) and Valentin Castellanos (once).

Seattle Sounders – Danny Musovski

Musovski is Seattle's leading scorer in MLS this year with 14 goals to his name.

The balance for Schmetzer to strike is whether to risk his star forward, while also needing to ensure Musovski is match sharp ahead of the playoffs.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Seattle have notched consecutive wins by a 1-0 scoreline with victories over the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake.

The Sounders are averaging 1.73 points per match when scoring exactly one goal this regular season (W5 D4 L2), which would be their highest in such games in an MLS campaign.

NYCFC have won 11 of their 16 regular-season home matches (L5) this year, only having won more in a single regular season in 2018 (12).

However, they did lose 4-0 to Inter Miami in their last home match, and they are looking to avoid consecutive home defeats for the first time since May 2023 (in all competitions).

Seattle progressed 4-2 on aggregate from the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final tie between these teams three years ago, going on to win the title.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

NYCFC – 34.2%

Draw – 25.8%

Seattle Sounders – 40%