Minnesota United FC (4-5-3, 15 PTS, 7th West) will try to beat the Seattle Sounders (8-0-5, 29 PTS, 1st West) for the first time in its history.
The undefeated Sounders have been the best team in the MLS betting one-third of the way through the season. The Sounders are looking for their third MLS Cup title in the last six seasons but are currently injury-laden.
Minnesota currently occupies the final playoff slot in the Western Conference and has made the playoffs for the last two seasons. At +120, Minnesota has decent soccer betting odds to pick up its first win vs Seattle.
Game: Minnesota vs Seattle
Location: Allianz Field, Saint Paul, MN
Time: July 18, 2 P.M. ET
Head to Head
Since Minnesota United joined the MLS in 2017, the Loons are winless against the Sounders. The Sounders have consistently dominated Minnesota with seven wins and a draw.
In April, the Sounders handily defeated Minnesota 4-0. Raul Ruidiaz scored two goals and Cristian Roldan doled out two assists. Plus, Fredy Montero, who returned to the Sounders in 2021 after leaving seven years ago, scored his first goal of the season.
Minnesota Struggles for Goals
The Loons are unbeaten in their last four home games but are looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids. Minnesota was shut out for the first time since May 1 vs Austin and on-loan Boca Juniors striker Ramon Abila picked up a red card in the match.
With just 12 goals in 12 matches, Minnesota has scored the second-fewest goals in the Western Conference. While other teams have lost multiple players to international duty, only backup GK Dayne St. Clair is at the Gold Cup. Defender Michael Boxall was called up to represent New Zealand at the Olympics.
Apart from them and joint-top scorer Abila, Minnesota’s other players are all available for the match vs Seattle. The lack of a prolific goal scorer has severely hurt Minnesota this season. Abila, Robin Lod, Adrien Hunou, and Franco Frangapane are all level on two goals apiece.
Seattle Has History of Scoring vs Minnesota
The Sounders have scored in each of the eight MLS matches they’ve played against Minnesota. The Sounders have scored 2.5 goals per game vs Minnesota but will be missing a bunch of players.
Jordan Morris is out for the season, Jordy Delem tore his ACL in May, Will Bruin recently tore his meniscus and Stefan Frei and Nicolas Lodeiro have uncertain return dates.
Brothers, Cristian and Alex Roldan are both away at the Gold Cup. Christian plays for the US while Roldan scored in his debut with El Salvador.
Even with a host of injuries, Seattle still managed to break the MLS record for the longest unbeaten streak to start a season. Last week, Seattle broke the record with a 2-0 win vs Houston at home. On the road, the Sounders have picked up three wins and two draws this season.
Prediction
Seattle has been excellent this season on the road and will look to continue its record-breaking unbeaten streak. Minnesota has never beaten Seattle and I don’t anticipate that changing in this match.
While I do think it’s concerning that Seattle is missing a bunch of players, Raul Ruidiaz has been the Sounders main man. Ruidiaz is the joint-top scorer in the MLS, with 10 goals in thirteen matches.
As long as he’s playing, Seattle will have a great chance in this match. Bet on the Sounders to get at least a point in this match.
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