For the first time in 2026 the Loons are set to meet the Seattle Sounders, a team whom they swept in the regular season and knocked out of the playoffs last year. While Minnesota has struggled to start the campaign, Seattle has stormed out of the gate in both MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup play. To get a better look at the Sounders we spoke with Jeremiah Oshan from Sounder at Heart ahead of Sunday afternoon's clash.
Ashle Paige: Last season was a disappointing season in Seattle terms, finishing in fifth in the West and being knocked out in the first round. What have the Sounders done over the offseason to bring the club back to their traditional top of the west form?
Jeremiah Oshan: To be honest, the Sounders haven’t done much in the offseason. Their most notable signing was Hassani Dotson, who has started when healthy but has also missed the last three games since suffering a concussion. He’s currently the only player to make his Sounders debut this season, although Peter Kingston and Tino Lopez do seem like they’ll carve out more significant roles than they had last year. The most notable change to the lineup is likely to be Osaze De Rosario, who has become the de facto starting striker.
AP: Federal Way native Hassani Dotson left MNUFC at the end of last season and has joined the Sounders. How has Hassani been doing both on and off the pitch?
JO: It’s been up and down for Dotson. He looked good in the season-opener before being forced out of the game shortly before halftime. In his other appearances, he’s been a bit more uneven. He’s almost certainly going to miss this game, though, as he’s been in concussion protocol.
AP: Outside of Hassani, what new player would you say is the biggest difference maker for the club?
JO: There aren’t any truly “new” players who have made big impacts this year, but Snyder Brunell is probably the player your readers are least familiar with who will likely start this game. Brunell is an 18-year-old who looks to be following a similar trajectory as Obed Vargas. People in the organization love his skillset and are very high on his potential.
AP: Seattle was swept by MNUFC in the regular season last year and knocked out of the playoffs by the Loons. How did the fans take that and is there some aim for vengeance with Sunday's contest?
JO: I think fans were obviously unhappy to have so little success against Minnesota last year and I’m sure there’s a degree of vengeance on their minds. At the same time, the Sounders are coming off a Concacaf Champions Cup victory and are in the middle of playing seven straight away from home. I can’t honestly say that vengeance is top of mind right now.
AP: Prediction for MINvSEA
JO: Let’s call it a 2-1 Sounders win.
