To the Western Conference of the MLS we go for this one. On Jun 01 at 22:00 GMT at Lumen Field the local hosts Seattel Sounders will receive the visiting Minnesota United in a most interesting confrontation that may yield some quite astonishing results. Especially if the outcomes of the in-between matches that both sides have to play have drastically changed the standings.
Not much difference between the two
The visitors are now ranked 5 in the overall table of the MLS. However, they are actually #2 in the Western Conference behind Vancouver. The total record says 7 wins, 4 draws, 3 defeats and 22 – 13 goals for and against. The interesting part is that 2 of the 3 losses happened in the last five matches. Even more interesting is the fact that their last loss was a humiliating 4-0 at the hands of Los Angeles.
On the other hand, the hosts rank 13 overall and 6 in the Western conference with a record of 5 victories, 5 ties and 4 defeats. 21 goals scored, 19 conceded. However, they only lost once in their last 5 (0-2 at Houston). So, we have two about similar attacking lines but a definite better defense for the visitors. And there are only 5 points worth of a gap between the two.
Everything is on the in-between
When they meet, it is quite possible that the standings may have actually changed. Seatle will play two at home against 22nd team Dallas and 6th San Diego FC. The likely results are a win and a loss. Similarly, Minnesota will play at home against Austin which they will probably win, and away at Vancouver, which they will probably lose. However, those are just the logical assumptions.
A draw instead of a win or a loss, a win instead of a loss, or any «unlikely» outcome may have the two teams fighting each other on equal terms. Or from a standing where a win for the hosts may just mean overtaking their opponents.
It’s all open
Add to the considerations we’ve already discussed the facts that there are only 4 points separating Minnesota from the league leaders Philadelphia and Cincinnati, 3 points from Vancouver, and 2 from Columbus Crew, we could be looking at a match that may very well produce a new team to lead the MLS.
Update
When we began the conversation about this confrontation, Minnesota United ranked #5 on the table while the Seattle Sounders were at 13. Now, things have changed. The visitors have dropped to 8 after the 1-1 draw against Austin, while the hosts rose up one spot to 12 after their victory over Dallas by 1-0. In all likelihood, they will both lose their matches against Vancouver and San Diego respectively. Which means that they will have to give it everything they have to keep up in contention within the league.
Seattle still enjoys the home field advantage
There are only 3 points of difference now between the two sides and if Seattle win they will both be at 26 points, with records of 7 – 5 – 4 and identical indicators for their last 6 matches. However, the Sounders will be on top and they will have replaced their opponents at 8th. It all of course depends on what NY City, Los Angeles and Inter Miami will do. It may very well be that both adversaries will be even lower than 10th.
The overall evaluation of the circumstances surrounding this match has the bookmakers offering @1.89 for the home side, @4.13 for the away team, and @3.69 for a draw. On this one, we will go with our gut feeling and suggest to everyone that will open an account at the best betting platform to choose the draw.