The Seattle Sounders can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Seattle has seen its season disrupted by its participation in the CONCACAF Champions League, but now they can get back to the task at hand and focus on the MLS. The Sounders were the oddsmakers’ favorite to win the Western Conference coming into the season, but they are sitting at the bottom of the standings seven weeks in.
Seattle will look to pick up its first win of the season against the team that many had pegged to be in the cellar out West at the start of the year, Minnesota United.
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MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Minnesota United +700
Seattle Sounders -277
Draw +408
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Considering the records of these teams, you might be really surprised to see Seattle as this big of a favorite. This line is largely a reflection of preseason expectations though. Minnesota had an awful debut as an expansion franchise in 2017 while Seattle ended up being the top team in the Western Conference.
Recent Form
The Sounders finally picked up their first result last week. Seattle had one of the worst starts we’ve ever seen in the MLS, failing to score a goal and picking up a red card in every match. That ignominious start left the club at the bottom of the West, but they put together their best performance of the year last week.
Sporting KC is the top team in the West and Seattle knew it had its work cut out facing them on the road. The Sounders were up for the challenge though. After giving up a penalty in the 34th minute, Seattle responded at the end of the first half. Will Bruin picked up the Sounders’ first goal of the season, breaking a streak that was more than 300 minutes long. They pulled ahead midway through the second half, but had to settle for a draw.
Minnesota United is ahead of where most people thought they would be at this point of the season. The Loons have already been able to pick up two wins and have already notched a rare road win on the road against Orlando City.
However, defense continues to be a major issue for the club. Minnesota United has allowed a goal in 18 straight matches at this point, one of the longest streaks in the history of the MLS.
Key Absences
The Sounders will be without forward Jordan Morris and defender Kim Kee-Hee for this match. However, the club finally has midfielder Osvaldo Alonso healthy, and that is big. Alonso is one of the top playmakers in the MLS, and he will help ignite the Sounders offense. Midfielder Victor Rodriguez, midfielder Harry Shipp, and defender Waylon Francis are all considered questionable for the match.
Midfielders Kevin Molino and Sam Cronin are long-term injuries for Minnesota United. Additionally, the club may not have right back Tyrone Mears or left back Mark Burch available for this match. Mears is continuing to rehab from a calf injury, while Burch’s status is in doubt due to a knee injury. If these two are unable to play, that will really affect the Loons’ defense.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
It’s time for Seattle to turn it on. The club has underperformed due to injuries and discipline issues, but the Sounders started to show how good they could be with their performance against Sporting KC. Even without Morris, Seattle has a ton of offensive talent and that should make life tough for Matt Lampson. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seattle win this by three goals or more.
Major League Soccer Odds: Seattle Sounders 3, Minnesota United 0
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