The Seattle Sounders are hosting Minnesota United on Friday in their first group stage match of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Here is everything you need to know:
LEAGUES CUP PRIMER: Held across the United States and Canada, Leagues Cup 2024 is a Concacaf-sanctioned tournament that sees all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX compete in a World Cup-style tournament from July 26 to Aug. 25. You can learn more about Leagues Cup HERE.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to region supremacy, Leagues Cup will determine three qualifiers for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, offering a pathway to potentially representing the region at the FIFA Club World Cup.
SOUNDERS GROUP: Seattle will participate in a three-team group with fellow MLS club Minnesota United and Liga MX side Club Necaxa. The top two teams will advance to the knockout stages beginning with the Round of 32.
GROUP SCHEDULE: The Sounders will host Minnesota on Friday, July 26, and Club Necaxa on Sunday, Aug. 4. Minnesota will host Necaxa in the other group stage match on Tuesday, July 30.
MATCHDAY 1 WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 10-8-7 (37 points, 7th West), Loons: 9-10-6 (33 points, 9thWest)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: LWWWW, Minnesota: WLDLL
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated Minnesota United 2-0 at Lumen Field on June 15 behind goals from Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock.
OWNING THE LOONS: Seattle has dominated Minnesota since the Loons entered the league in 2017. The Sounders have lost just once in 15 regular-season matches (12-1-2) and are a perfect 8-0-0 at home.
WIN STREAK AND WINLESS RUN SNAPPED: The Sounders enter the start of Leagues Cup off a loss to LAFC, a match which ended a six-match win streak in all competitions. The Loons, meanwhile, defeated the San Jose Earthquakes over the weekend to break their nine-game winless run.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Robin Lod, M
Lod has always been a contributor for the Loons, but the Finnish attacker has upped his game to new levels this season, especially while trying to fill the shoes of departed No. 10 Emanuel Reynoso. Lod has six goals and a career-high 11 assists already through 23 matches and has played his way in an MLS All-Star Game selection.
