Pablo Mastroeni believes Real Salt Lake's "magic" mentality has helped them earn a reputation as comeback kings, though he is hoping for a more routine outing against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

RSL fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with FC Dallas last Saturday, having recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to beat the Colorado Rapids 5-3 one week earlier.

Mastroeni's men are now unbeaten in 11 league games and sit four points clear at the top of the Western Conference standings ahead of their midweek visit to the improving Sounders.

"It's not a surprise to me that the guys, given the scoreline, stay in there and fight," said Mastroeni. "It's a testament to the group. 

"Everyone that's a part of this club has the same mindset, and I think when you're aligned in that way, magic like that happens. 

"Obviously, we don't want it to happen too often, but I think it just shows the mental fortitude of the group."

Seattle have recorded back-to-back 2-1 wins over Phoenix Rising in the U.S. Open Cup and St. Louis City in MLS, moving within reach of the playoff places after a tough start to the year.

Boss Brian Schmetzer knows they will have to be at their very best to get anything against RSL, though.

Speaking after Saturday's win in St. Louis, Schmetzer said: "They were a little unlucky not to get a goal at the end. Our luck is changing.

"There is some momentum building but Real Salt Lake are a good team. We have to back up a good performance with another good performance against Real Salt Lake."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Morris has scored in consecutive regular-season games for the first time since early last season. 

He only has one streak of more than two straight games with a goal in MLS, finding the net in four appearances in a row between April and May 2016.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango 

Arango's 13 goals in MLS this season put him out on his own at the top of the goalscoring charts, two clear of Christian Benteke and Luis Suarez.

Four of those goals have come in RSL's last four games, with the team netting 12 times in that span.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Real Salt Lake extended their league-best unbeaten run to 11 regular-season games (seven wins, four draws) with their 3-3 draw at Dallas last Saturday. 

This is their longest single-season unbeaten run since a 12-match streak to begin the 2014 campaign, though that streak ended with a loss in Seattle in late May.

The Sounders have improved of late, winning consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time this year. An entertaining draw could be on the cards.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 35.6%

Real Salt Lake – 36.6%

Draw – 27.8%

Bradley Carnell has challenged St. Louis City to make Citypark a formidable place to play as they prepare to welcome the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

St. Louis have lost just one of their six MLS home games this season, helping them to ninth in the Western Conference.

Carnell’s side have, however, lost their last two matches, including their most recent home outing, but the head coach is not worried about their recent form.

He said: "The standings are not an indicator of if we give everything or not. Everything should be on the line every single day.

"For sure, there are moments of ebbs and flows through a season, and you get to mitigate through those just like every other team in the league. We're just focusing on our next game against a respectable opponent.

"We want to see if we can keep up and keep on pushing and turn Citypark into the fortress we know it can become to get three points."

Seattle sit two points below St. Louis in 10th after failing to win their previous two matches.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer wants his side to use last season’s win over St. Louis as inspiration to get back to winning ways.

"It's a tough place to play, they were on a good roll last year," he said.

"This year their results aren't quite as good, but they're still a good team. Last year's performance there away from home was good, it was solid. We scored early goals and held on. Good defence. Solid performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Joao Klauss

Klauss has scored in four of St. Louis’ last nine matches in the MLS, netting the opener on two occasions. He is also the club’s top scorer this season with five goals.

Seattle Sounders – Cristian Roldan

Roldan completed 82 of 88 passes in Seattle’s draw with Vancouver on Saturday, both the most in a match by a Sounders player this season. It was the most passes Roldan has completed in an MLS match since connecting on 109 passes against the Galaxy in August 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION: ST. LOUIS CITY WIN

After losing only one of their first 11 regular-season matches in 2024 (W3 D7), St. Louis have lost consecutive games. This is the fifth time they have lost two straight regular-season matches, though they have never lost three in a row in league play before.

Seattle have won both of their matches against St. Louis, outscoring them, 5-0, in those two games. The Sounders were the only team to keep clean sheets in two matches against St. Louis last season.

Seattle drew 1-1 with Vancouver last Saturday, thanks to a Ryan Gauld equalizing penalty for the Whitecaps at 93:59. It was the latest result-changing goal the Sounders have ever conceded in a regular-season MLS match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City – 44.8%

Draw – 27%

Seattle Sounders – 28.2%

Vanni Sartini hopes a quick turnaround might help the Vancouver Whitecaps halt their skid as they visit their Cascadia Cup rivals, the Seattle Sounders, on the back of two straight losses.

Vancouver sit seventh in the Western Conference with 18 points from 12 games in 2024, though they have slipped down the standings by only taking two points from the last 12 available. 

They followed up a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC by going down 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, playing half of that game with 10 men after Bjorn Utvik's sending-off.

The Whitecaps have little time to stew on that result before Saturday's derby clash, but Sartini hopes that could be a positive thing.

"It's really hard when you don't touch the ball at all and are down on the score, so what we did was really good – until the end everyone was running and giving 100 per cent," he said.

"I'm still a little bummed that we didn't score to make it 1-1, which we fully deserved.

"But we have time and other games, so we can immediately score points. We need to get back on the plus side on Sunday."

Seattle, meanwhile, sit 10th in the West with 13 points from 13 matches, having seen their revival halted by a 2-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake in midweek.

Boss Brian Schmetzer was left to rue basic defensive errors after that loss, saying: "In the first half, we let them out – one mistake. 

"Could we have played a little bit better? Sure. We showed some glimpses in attack, and then we fell asleep. It was two plays that killed us. We have to own it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz 

Ruidiaz has scored eight goals in 11 career regular-season matches against the Whitecaps, one of four teams he's scored eight or more goals against in MLS. 

Only three other players have scored eight or more goals against one opponent since Ruidiaz debuted in MLS in July 2018.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Levonte Johnson

Vancouver have been shut out in back-to-back games against Los Angeles and the Rapids since their 2-1 Canadian Championship win over Cavalry earlier this month.

Speedy winger Johnson scored twice in that game and will be desperate to get a chance here.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Whitecaps have won three of their last five meetings with Seattle (one draw, one defeat) after winning just two of the previous 22, including going 15 straight without a victory prior to this run.

Seattle have managed just one win in five home matches this season (three draws, one defeat) with their six home points tied for the fewest of any Western Conference team.

However, the Whitecaps have failed to net in three straight regular-season matches for the first time since August 2020, so Seattle are favourites to claim the bragging rights.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 50.1% 

Vancouver Whitecaps – 22.3%

Draw – 27.6%

Seattle Sounders visit Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake in midweek and Brian Schmetzer is enjoying the challenges of chasing an MLS playoff spot.

The visiting Sounders have two wins and a draw in their last three outings after defeating Portland Timbers 2-1 on the road.

Seattle sit 10th in the West, just three points shy of St. Louis City above them, and Schmetzer knows the pressure is there to chase a postseason position.

"We're three points from the playoff line, that pressure is still there," said Schmetzer.

"We're still too far down the standings for our liking. But you go to Philly and get points, you come here [to Portland] and get points.

"You have 120 minutes of kids gritting it out [in the U.S. Open Cup]. I can sense that the group is finding its form."

Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan added: "We feel we definitely have a good enough team to compete for trophies this year."

The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, sitting top of the West standings by two points heading into this midweek clash.

Pablo Mastroeni's side were held to a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy in their last outing, with this now the chance to respond on home turf.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango scored both of Real Salt Lake’s goals on Saturday to take his total to 11 for the season.

Only five players have scored more than 11 goals in a season for RSL, including just one, Damir Kreilach (twice), since 2015.

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

Raul Ruidiaz scored the winning goal for Seattle against Portland on Sunday, his seventh goal of the season, and the fifth different game he's scored in.

The Sounders have collected 10 points (W3 D1 L1) in the five games in which Ruidiaz has scored compared to three points (W0 D3 L4) in the seven he hasn't.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Salt Lake are unbeaten in 13 straight regular-season home matches against Seattle (W10 D3) with the Sounders' only ever league win at RSL coming in 2011.

RSL has had just one longer home unbeaten run against a single opponent, going 18 in a row at home against the Colorado Rapids without losing from 2007—19, making them the favourites for this clash.

Yet Seattle have won consecutive away matches for the first time since March-April last season.

The Sounders scored five times in those matches after scoring just four in their first five on the road this season, suggesting goals are on the cards here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake win – 40.3%

Seattle Sounders win – 30.1%

Draw – 29.6%

Phil Neville believes the Portland Timbers have not picked up the points their performances have warranted this season, but he knows the time has come for them to put their foot down ahead of Sunday's Cascadia Derby against the Seattle Sounders. 

Portland sit 12th in the Western Conference standings, below the Sounders on goal difference, after going eight MLS matches without a victory.

Their 10 points through 11 games in 2024 represents their joint-worst return at this point of any MLS campaign (alongside 2014).

Neville, however, believes they have deserved more as they prepare for a run of three home games in their next four.

"I think the first thing to say is we are not making any excuses – the results have not been as good as we wanted," he said.

"We've not got our just rewards but now we look forward to a stretch where we've got to perform better and get better results, we've got to put our foot down on the gas." 

The Sounders have also struggled this term, though they have taken four points from their last two MLS games against the Philadelphia Union (3-2) and LA Galaxy (0-0).

They then overcame Louisville City on penalties in the U.S. Open Cup in midweek, and coach Brian Schmetzer hopes they can carry on their momentum from that game on Sunday. 

"This club has had a long history in the U.S. Open Cup, I like the tournament. It was certainly a challenge against a good, well-coached Louisville team," Schmetzer said.

"We came out on top and hopefully this propels us a little bit in our league play."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Maxime Crepeau

Portland have conceded at least once in a club-record 17 successive regular-season matches, allowing 37 goals in that time.

Goalkeeper Crepeau has faced 41 shots so far in MLS this term, preventing 1.13 goals according to Opta's expected goals on target (xGoT) model, conceding 14 times from 15.8 xGoT faced.

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz 

Ruidiaz has 12 goals in 16 previous MLS matches against Portland (including playoffs), the most goals scored by any player against the Timbers in MLS play. 

It's also the most goals scored by any MLS player against a single opponent since Ruidiaz made his debut in the competition in July 2018.

MATCH PREDICTION – PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

The Timbers are unbeaten in six straight matches against the Sounders (four wins, two draws), the longest streak in all competitions by either team in the MLS era of their rivalry. 

Portland have also won their last two home matches against Seattle after the Sounders won four of the previous five meetings at Providence Park.

Seattle's 10 points through 11 matches this season are tied for the second-worst start in club history, having only collected eight points at this stage in 2018. Though the Timbers have been in dismal form themselves lately, this fixture could come at a good time for them.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 41.5%

Seattle Sounders – 30%

Draw – 28.5% 

LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney has urged his team to start sharply when they take on the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

The Galaxy went down 2-0 to Austin FC last time out, and will look to get back to winning ways when they head up the West Coast to face the Sounders, who they beat 1-0 in March.

Vanney’s side found themselves 2-0 down after just 19 minutes against Austin, though, and the Galaxy coach is growing increasingly frustrated with his team’s sloppy starts.

In quotes reported by The Galactic Tribune, Vanney said: “We've got to do a better job of not starting slow and getting ourselves behind the game one and two goals because then it certainly incentivises the opposition to sit a little bit lower and really kind of protect the face of the goal.”

Vanney also pointed out that sluggishness in the final third is proving equally as costly.

He added: “The speed of our final actions when we are in possession and we do find those moments that we need to break, with the timing of things, needs to be sharper. I feel like we weren't so sharp on that side of things so that we can get to the necessary spots.”

For experienced defender Maya Yoshida, there were few excuses after the Austin loss.

“We were not enough. I don't deserve anything for my performance,” he said. “We deserved to lose. We are very disappointed. We have to learn from this defeat.”

The Galaxy went into the weekend second in the Western Conference, 10 places and nine points above the Sounders.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

Ruidiaz and team-mate Jordan Morris have each scored nine goals against the Galaxy in their MLS careers. Since 2016, the only players with more goals against a single opponent are Carlos Vela (10 vs. Galaxy), Jeremy Ebobisse (10 vs. Galaxy) and Kei Kamara (10 vs. Montreal).

LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig

Puig had a fine campaign last year and the former Barcelona midfielder has picked up where he left off, scoring three goals and creating two more so far this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Galaxy’s loss to Austin ended a run of 18 straight matches with at least one goal in all competitions, scoring 41 total times during that run (2.3 goals per match). It was the Galaxy’s longest run of games with a goal in all competitions since a 21-match run in 2014.

The Sounders won their second match of the season on Tuesday, a 3-2 victory in Philadelphia. Seattle have scored eight goals in their two wins this year (5-0 vs. CF Montreal in April) and six goals in their other eight matches (D3 L5).

The Galaxy beat Seattle at home on March 30, ending an 11-match MLS winless run against the Sounders (D4 L7). The Galaxy last won consecutive MLS matches against Seattle in April-August 2015.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 53.9%

LA Galaxy – 20.1%

Draw – 26%

Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris reflected on the “special” nature of being able to share some incredible moments with his father Micheal, who is leaving his role as the team’s chief medical officer.

Dr Morris has been with the Sounders for 18 years.

However, Dr Morris is now calling time on his stint at the club.

Dr Morris’ son, Jordan, has established himself as a United States regular and a leading light in MLS, and the winger is delighted to have shared such a path with his father in close proximity.

“It's been special to share moments like after winning MLS Cup at home and after winning the Champions League at home,” said Jordan.

“We took pictures with the trophies together, He was in the locker room while we were celebrating and I think it's a really unique experience to kind of have him on the sidelines for all these games and something that not a lot of people get to experience, so I feel fortunate to have had him around.”

Dr Morris said: “It’s been a blessing. It’s a gift.”

“Being part of the Sounders has been the best thing in my professional career. It’s the most rewarding thing and I'll definitely miss it.”

Seattle have had a poor start to the season and sit 12th in the Eastern Conference. D.C., meanwhile, are 11th in the West.

Morris Jr said: “We know this stretch is huge. And playing two games on the road against really good teams is not going to be easy.”

“We have to find a way to turn that around.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke won 13 of 18 aerial duels for D.C. last time out, his fourth match this season with at least 13 aerial duels won, something no other player has done once this MLS season.

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

Ruidiaz is the Sounders’ leading scorer in MLS this term, with four goals. No other player has managed more than one.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

D.C. ended a six-match losing streak against Seattle with a 2-0 home win the last time the sides met in September 2019. It was only D.C.’s third win in 15 all-time meetings with Seattle in all competitions (D2 L10).

Seattle’s six points through eight matches is the worst start to a season in the club’s MLS history. This is the first time the Sounders have not won at least two of their first eight games of an MLS season.

D.C. have suffered consecutive defeats for the first time since late August last year. United hasn’t lost more than two straight games since a four-match losing streak to end the 2022 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 36.1%

Seattle Sounders – 34.2%

Draw – 29.7%

Mikael Uhre netted a hat-trick as Philadelphia Union snapped their five-game MLS winless run with a 4-2 victory over Toronto on Saturday.

Union took an early lead after Lukas MacNaughton's 16th-minute own goal before Denmark international Uhre bagged a double before half-time.

Uhre added a third in the 56th minute to round out his hat-trick, tapping in Julian Carranza's low ball across goal and put the contest to bed.

Toronto pulled one back through Italy international Lorenzo Insigne in the 66th minute, before Richie Laryea's stoppage-time consolation.

New England reinforced their grip on top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 home win over Sporting KC, who are last overall.

Giacomo Vrioni netted a first-half brace for the Revs, but Sporting pulled one back in the 50th minute from Johnny Russell, only to be reduced to 10 men when Andreu Fontas was sent off 10 minutes later.

The Revs are ahead of second-placed Cincinnati on goal difference, with Cincy winning 2-1 over Portland Timbers after strikes from Sergio Santos and Brandon Vasquez.

New York City moved up to fourth in the East with a 3-1 home win over Dallas sparked by Santiago Rodriguez's double.

Western Conference leaders St Louis City were denied victory after Michael Barrios' 90th-minute equaliser as they drew 1-1 at Colorado Rapids.

St Louis remain top in the West but only on goal difference from Seattle Sounders who condemned Minnesota United to three straight losses with a 1-0 victory.

Denis Bouanga netted his seventh goal of the MLS season as LAFC drew 1-1 at Nashville, while LA Galaxy snapped their winless start to the campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Austin.

Inter Miami's losing run extended to six in a row, compounding the pressure on boss Phil Neville, as they went down 1-0 at Houston Dynamo.

Real Salt Lake beat San Jose Earthquakes 3-1, Charlotte defeated Columbus Crew 1-0, struggling Montreal edged New York Red Bulls 2-0 and Christian Benteke scored as DC United won 3-1 at Orlando City.

St Louis City snapped their two-game losing skid with a statement win where they piled on five goals within an hour in a 5-1 hammering over Eastern Conference-leading Cincinnati on Saturday.

The MLS expansion side had suffered back-to-back losses after creating league history by winning their first five games but responded at CityPark.

Jared Stroud fired in a third-minute opener from a set-piece before Eduard Lowen lashed home a volley in the 39th minute.

Kyle Hiebert glanced in Stroud's cross in first-half stoppage-time and St Louis did not relent after the break, with Nicholas Gioacchini adding another from Rasmus Alm's classy touch in the 53rd minute.

It was five in the 57th minute when Alm's rifled strike from outside the box hit the post and deflected in off goalkeeper Roman Celentano.

Sergio Santos grabbed a consolation for Cincy, who were unbeaten coming into this encounter.

Dairon Asprilla netted an early goal of the year contender with an acrobatic bicycle kick to equalise for Portland Timbers before they raced away with a 4-1 win over Seattle Sounders.

Asprilla brilliantly netted in the 71st minute before Portland added a further three goals in the final 20 minutes, meaning Seattle slipped from top spot in the West.

Sean Zawadzki netted a 90th-minute equaliser as Columbus Crew pinched a 1-1 home draw with 10-man New England, who move up to top spot in the Eastern Conference ahead of Cincinnati.

Lorenzo Insigne returned from a groin injury as Toronto drew 2-2 with Atlanta. Toronto have drawn four games in a row.

DC United ended their six-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over last-placed Montreal, while New York Red Bulls' streak without a win extended to four games after a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo.

Keaton Parks and Maxime Chanot scored excellent early goals as New York City moved up to fifth in the East with a 2-1 win over Nashville.

Austin drew 0-0 with Vancouver Whitecaps, while Orlando City rallied from behind to get past Minnesota United 2-1.

Bernard Kamungo scored an 88th-minute winner as Dallas moved up to fourth in the West with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, while San Jose Earthquakes crushed Sporting KC 3-0 with a Jeremy Ebobisse double.

Struggling Charlotte drew 2-2 with Colorado Rapids and Philadelphia Union's winless run extended to five games with a 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire although they fought back from 2-0 down.

Denis Bouanga netted a hat-trick as reigning MLS champions LAFC claimed a statement win with a 3-0 rout of Austin on Saturday.

Bouanga opened the scoring with a low strike with five minutes left in the first half, before adding further goals in the 57th and 68th minutes.

The Gabonese winger fired in a powerful right-foot volley from a corner for 2-0, before side-footing home at the back post for the third.

The result meant LAFC kept in touch with the top two in the Western Conference, with Seattle Sounders moving above St Louis City into top spot with a 3-0 win in the late game.

The Sounders netted three second-half goals to condemn the expansion side to their second straight loss after winning their opening five MLS games.

Phil Neville's Inter Miami slumped to their fifth straight loss, going down 1-0 at home to Dallas. US international Jesus Ferreira scored the only goal in the 27th minute. Dallas moved up to fourth in the West with the victory.

Cincinnati remained top of the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 home win over Philadelphia Union, who are winless in four. New England are second in the East behind Cincy, thrashing Montreal 4-0.

Tom Barlow scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw for New York Red Bulls against San Jose Earthquakes, while Colorado Rapids edged Sporting KC 1-0 on the road.

New York City and Atlanta United drew 1-1, Nashville and Toronto drew 0-0, while Columbus Crew secured their third straight win with a 2-0 victory at D United.

Kei Kamara scored a double as Chicago Fire won 2-1 over Minnesota United, while Amine Bassi also netted a brace as 10-man Houston Dynamo beat nine-man LA Galaxy 3-0.

Real Salt Lake came from behind to win 3-1 over Charlotte, while Vancouver Whitecaps beat Portland Timbers 1-0.

Brian Schmetzer is looking for Seattle Sounders to use Lumen Field's home advantage to beat the visiting St. Louis City on Saturday and leapfrog them to the Western Conference summit.

Expansion franchise St. Louis have enjoyed a brilliant start to MLS life, rattling off five victories from their first six matches to sit top of the West.

They were beaten at home by Minnesota United last time out, though, and Schmetzer wants his Seattle team, who sit just two points behind St. Louis and will go top with a win, to embrace familiar surroundings against the early frontrunners.

"It's another home game," Schmetzer told reporters. "We want to make sure that Lumen Field is a hard place to play.

"I have confidence that if our team plays up to our potential, chances are we'll come up with a good result."

St. Louis' first MLS defeat came against an unbeaten Minnesota team, who scored with their only shot on target as the hosts lost despite managing more attempts and shots on target than their opponents while also holding 55 per cent of the possession.

Head coach Bradley Carnell is keeping a positive outlook as they try and get back on track against Seattle, saying: "It's a new window for us.

"It's a new window of opportunity to go and start something fresh, start something new."

Goalkeeper Roman Burki feels the first defeat has shown St. Louis' character, explaining: "Five games in a row, everything's good and sunshine every day.

"But I learned that we have actual winners and fighters in the team, guys who can speak up, get loud. I would say this group are a team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Leo Chu

After keeping his place in the starting XI following his four-assist performance against Sporting Kansas City, Chu followed it up by scoring his first goal and setting another goal up in the 2-1 victory at the LA Galaxy last time out. Can he make it three straight games with a goal involvement against St. Louis on Saturday?

St. Louis City – Eduard Lowen

Lowen (four assists) and team-mate Joao Klauss (two goals, three assists) have both contributed to at least one goal in each of their first three road matches in MLS, with only six players managing it in their first four games. Can Lowen join that exclusive club here?

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE WIN

Seattle have taken 13 points from their first six matches of the season, the eighth time in 13 MLS campaigns they have managed at least 10 points from their opening six games, and they are yet to concede a goal at Lumen Field so far this term.

St. Louis, meanwhile, have the opportunity to become just the second team since 2000 to win their first four road matches of a season after the New York Red Bulls managed five in the last campaign.

But the Sounders have lost just one of their 10 home games against expansion sides, and they look the favourites to come out on top in this meeting of two of the Western Conference's early pacesetters.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle: 49.5 per cent

St. Louis: 23.7 per cent

Draw: 26.8 per cent

Expansion franchise St Louis City's perfect start to their inaugural MLS season was ended by Minnesota United who triumphed 1-0 after Luis Amarilla's 78th-minute penalty on Saturday.

City had made MLS history by winning their first five games but that was ended by the Loons with Amarilla drilling home the spot kick after a needless challenge by Kyle Hiebert.

Hiebert brought down Amarilla just inside the box with a rash tackle when Jakob Nerwinski appeared to have Kervin Arriaga's wayward pass under control.

Substitute Samuel Adeniran came closest to equalising for St Louis, with a 95th-minute shot going over the bar after a great first touch from Klauss' right-wing cut back.

St Louis remain top of the table with 15 points from six games, but unbeaten Minnesota climb up to fourth in the Western Conference.

Cincinnati continued their impressive start to the season with a 1-0 home triumph over Inter Miami who slumped to their fourth straight defeat.

Yerson Mosquera scored the 45th-minute winner for Cincy, who are top of the Eastern Conference.

Giorgos Giakoumakis scored an early winner as Atlanta United moved up to second in the East with a 1-0 home win over New York Red Bulls, who are down in 12th in that conference.

Jordan Morris and Leo Chu scored first-half goals as Seattle Sounders stayed second in the West with a 2-1 victory at LA Galaxy, who are without a win and have only three points from five games.

LAFC remained unbeaten and third in the West despite a 0-0 draw at the winless Colorado Rapids, while SJ Earthquakes climbed to fifth with a 2-1 victory over Houston Dynamo with all three goals coming from penalties.

Vancouver Whitecaps snapped a run of three straight draws with a resounding 5-0 win over 10-man Montreal with Simon Becher scoring a double. Becher is the fastest player (87 minutes) in MLS history to score his first four goals.

Franck Boli rescued a 1-1 draw for Portland Timbers at Dallas, Chicago Fire and DC United drew 0-0 and Nashville triumphed 2-0 at Orlando City.

Federico Bernardeschi netted another spectacular goal with a strike straight from a corner in Toronto's 2-2 home draw with Charlotte.

Sporting KC remained winless after a 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union, New England drew 1-1 with New York City and Real Salt Lake suffered their fourth straight loss, going down 4-0 to Columbus Crew.

Atlanta United lost their position atop the MLS' Eastern Conference standings after a surprise 6-1 hammering at the hands of the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Atlanta boasted three wins and a draw from their first four matches of the season – and had won their past two by a combined margin of 8-1 – but they were no match for an inspired Columbus outfit in front of their home fans.

Crew forward Christian Ramirez bagged a brace in the second half, while Alexandru Matan was credited with three assists in Columbus' second win of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Seattle Sounders striker Jordan Morris raced out into the Golden Boot lead with a four-goal haul in his side's 4-1 away win against Sporting Kansas City.

The 28-year-old American more than doubled his three goals from the opening four matches, opening up a two-goal lead on rest of the competition.

With Atlanta going down, it was the New England Revolution capitalising and taking over as the Eastern Conference leaders, overcoming a first-half strike from Christian Benteke to defeat D.C. United 2-1.

The loss left D.C. near the bottom of the standings with four points from five matches, where they are joined by Charlotte after their 1-1 home draw against New York Red Bulls.

Cincinnati are the only undefeated team in the East through five matches, securing their third win with a 1-0 triumph over Nashville, to go with two draws as they sit one point behind New England.

A 92nd-minute winner gave the Chicago Fire a 3-2 victory away from home against Inter Miami – their first win of the season – while two goals in the first 10 minutes were enough for Orlando City to prevail 2-1 against the Philadelphia Union.

LA Galaxy remain winless after battling out a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers, while it was more dramatic for the Vancouver Whitecaps as they needed a 98th minute equaliser to snatch a point in their 1-1 tie with Minnesota.

Austin FC let a golden opportunity to climb the Western Conference slip away as they dropped points in a 1-1 home draw against the cellar-dwelling Colorado Rapids, who doubled their points tally for the season with the result.

A 55th-minute penalty from Amine Bassi was enough to give the Houston Dynamo a 1-0 win against New York City, while expansion side St. Louis City continued their perfect start to their first season with a convincing 4-0 drubbing of Real Salt Lake, leaving them the only side with the maximum 15 points from five matches.

In the late window, Los Angeles FC benefitted from a first-half red card to defeat FC Dallas 2-1, while Toronto FC battled out a scoreless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes.

St Louis City extended their dream start to life in the MLS with a 3-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday making league history as the first expansion team to win its first four games.

The Missouri club powered past the Earthquakes with first-half goals from Nicholas Gioacchini and Joao Klauss, before Tomas Ostrak sealed the win in the 68th minute.

St Louis' fourth straight win surpassed the Seattle Sounders' three-win start in their debut MLS season in 2009.

The new franchise have scored 11 goals in four games, with Saturday's win marking their first clean sheet, having been forced to come from behind in all three other victories.

Argentinian midfielder Thiago Almada continued his stellar start to the new campaign with a  double in Atlanta United's 5-1 win over Portland Timbers.

The 21-year-old, who was called into Argentina's squad for the upcoming international window, netted a stunning free-kick in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-0.

Montreal upset 10-man Philadelphia Union with a comeback 3-2 win aided by a game-changing video review for Chinonso Offor's 90th-minute equaliser which split opinions.

The goal had initially been disallowed upon video review, only for that to be overturned when it was realised Union left back Kai Wagner, who was off screen from the initial angle, had actually played Offor onside.

Reigning MLS Cup winners LAFC were held to a goalless draw at Seattle, while last year's beaten conference finalists New York City got past DC United 3-2.

New England made it three wins from four games with Gustavo Bou netting the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Nashville, while New York Red Bulls came from behind to win 2-1 over Columbus Crew.

Chicago Fire remain winless after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Cincinnati, while LA Galaxy are also without a win after a 1-1 home draw with Vancouver Whitecaps.

Charlotte bounced back from their losing start to the season with a 2-1 home win over Orlando City, while Toronto beat Inter Miami 2-0, Dallas won 2-1 over Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo downed Austin 2-0 and Miguel Tapias scored late to earn Minnesota United a 2-1 win at Colorado Rapids.

Seattle Sounders face Los Angeles FC on Saturday in what Brian Schmetzer has described as a game "between two of the biggest clubs" in MLS.

Reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC head to Lumen Field with two wins under their belt from their two games this season – they are second in the Western Conference, one place ahead of Seattle, who are also on six points but lost at FC Cincinnati last time out.

LAFC were beaten by Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday but have still progressed in that competition thanks to a 3-0 win in the first leg.

And Schmetzer knows the Sounders will have to be at their best to end LAFC's winning start to the MLS season.

"This feels like a game between two of the biggest clubs in the league," said Schmetzer.

"We're really focused on playing up to our potential and then we'll see what the scoreline says at the end of the game.

"They're defending champs, it's a big game, and I hope to see everybody out there. We'll need the fans."

Schmetzer's sentiment was echoed by Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan, who added: "This is another opportunity to send a statement out to the rest of the league, to ourselves, that we can compete with the best on a weekly basis."

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, meanwhile, will be looking for more cutting edge from his side after their 2-1 defeat to Alajuelense.

"We're happy to be further in the competition, which was our objective," he said in a press conference.

"We created many chances, didn't finish. The only difference [from the first leg] was they scored a goal in the first half.

"We were a little too loose in our defensive transition. If we finish our chances early, the run of the game looks much different."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris scored in each of Seattle's first two home games this season. The only Sounders player to score in the team's first three home matches of a season was Obafemi Martins in 2015.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has had a flying start to 2023, scoring five goals – including a hat-trick in the first leg against Alajuelense – and assisting a further two.

Bouanga has contributed to four goals in two matches so far this MLS season (two goals, two assists) after recording only three goal contributions (three goals) in 10 matches for LAFC last term.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE TO WIN

Seattle won their opening two home games of the MLS season by a combined score of 6-0. The Sounders have won their first three home matches of a campaign on two previous occasions, back in 2019 and 2021.

Indeed, that third victory in 2021 came against LAFC, whose inaugural MLS game was a 1-0 win over the Sounders in March 2018.

Since then, however, Seattle are unbeaten in six straight home meetings with LAFC (W4 D2).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 41 per cent

Los Angeles FC – 30.9 per cent

Draw – 28.1 per cent