![\"MLS:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27500508.jpg\")
Nov 3, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas (18) and midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) and midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) celebrate after a goal scored by Vargas against the Minnesota United during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nMinnesota United must try to figure a way to get past an old nemesis when they host the Seattle Sounders in the decisive match of the best-of-three Western Conference First Round series Saturday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minn.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Sounders, who won the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019, are 15-3-3 all-time against the Loons in all competitions, including 2-0-1 in the postseason.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Fourth-seeded Minnesota won a penalty shootout, 3-2, in the first match, which ended in a scoreless draw on Oct. 27. Fifth-seeded Seattle, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first 41 minutes, rebounded to win the second match 4-2 at home Monday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Our mentality is the same as the last one,” Seattle’s Albert Rusnak said. “It’s win or go home for us.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Obed Vargas scored a brace, including a goal in the 86th minute to seal the win, and Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski also scored first-half goals for Seattle.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Despite the poor start Monday, Minnesota coach Eric Ramsay saw some positives for his team to build on heading into Saturday’s winner-take-all match. The Loons cut the lead to 3-2 with goals by Nectar Triantis and Robin Lod in first-half stoppage time to make things interesting in the second half before Vargas clinched the win for the Sounders.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We obviously wanted to survive the anticipated difficult opening stages,” Ramsay said. “But I think the big thing for us is that we showed real fighting character to get back in the game. … (While) that didn’t mean anything (Monday), ultimately it does mean a lot going into the next game.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Added Lod: “The good thing is that we get to play in our stadium with our own fans that help us really much, so I’m looking forward to that.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The winner will advance to face either San Diego FC or the Portland Timbers, who play their deciding Match 3 on Sunday night. If top-seeded San Diego advances, Minnesota or Seattle would visit San Diego in the Western semifinal matchup. If Portland advances, the Loons or Sounders would host the Timbers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n