Rusnak confident Sounders can use home advantage in Game 2

Seattle Sounders' Albert Rusnak says the team are better at home and wants to use that advantage to level the first round best-of-three series against Minnesota United on Monday.

The Sounders started their MLS Cup playoffs with a shootout defeat to Minnesota, losing 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.

Seattle had won just one of their last four road games in the regular season – a 2-1 win over New York City FC on Decision Day – losing the other three.

But at home, they are on a nine-match unbeaten streak (W5 D4), though that run started after a 3-2 defeat to Minnesota.

Rusnak was adamant that being back at Lumen Field was the confidence boost Seattle needed, however, as they look to win Game 2 and force a decider in the series.

"We know we've got to win every game, basically, from now on," Rusnak said. "We can't afford to lose any games.

"We know that we have played a good game on the road, and we're a better team at home.

"We have a lot of guys that can create for others, and now someone needs to step up and score on Monday."

Minnesota, meanwhile, bounced back from their Decision Day defeat to the LA Galaxy with a resolute defensive performance, holding off Seattle as they had 14 shots, with four of those on target.

They held their nerve in the shootout to come out on top, and head coach Eric Ramsay is keen to build some momentum and avoid a Game 3, even if it is back at Allianz Field.

"The spirit's good, and we've talked about the momentum that we've got to carry into the week," he said.

"We've got to wipe the slate and leave no stone unturned in making sure that we almost take advantage of the format. We get to be familiar with the team we're facing at this stage.

"It affords you the chance to be really detailed, and we have to make sure that we carry that into everything that we do."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Cristian Roldan

Cristian Roldan was one of two players who hit the woodwork and missed in Seattle's penalty shootout loss in Game 1, but he had been an influential figure beforehand.

He was the only player to have multiple shots on target (two) and won possession nine times, a game high. Roldan also had 14 final-third entries, a tally only bettered by Jackson Ragen.

Minnesota United – Dayne St. Clair

Dayne St. Clair recorded his 11th clean sheet across all competitions in Game 1, but he has not kept a clean sheet on the road since May against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

St. Clair, who also made a save early in last week’s shootout, is looking to have consecutive games with a shutout for the first time since doing so in April.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Minnesota beat the Sounders by a 3-2 scoreline on the road in June after losing all 10 of their road games against them prior to that across all competitions.

The only other time the Loons scored multiple goals at Seattle was in the 2020 Western Conference Final, a 3-2 Sounders victory, and the hosts are expected to prevail on Monday.

The Sounders scored 38 goals at home during the regular season, tied for the third most in MLS with the Philadelphia Union. Eight different players scored multiple goals at home for Seattle in the regular season, the most of any team in the league.

However, the Loons conceded just 19 road goals in 2025 (the second-fewest in MLS), allowing one or zero goals in 12 of 17 away matches.

Since the beginning of last season, Minnesota's 21 such regular-season games tied for the second most in MLS, trailing Vancouver’s 23 games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 54.6%

Draw – 23.4%

Minnesota United – 22.1%