(Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images)

If there was ever a season that Minnesota United FC should feel good about its MLS playoff possibilities, this is it.

The Loons challenged for the Western Conference title before finishing fourth, earning home field in the best-of-three first-round series against the fifth-seeded Seattle Sounders. Minnesota defeated Seattle on two occasions during the regular season.

But all is not trending well for the Loons heading into Monday's opener in St. Paul, Minn.

After a disappointing semifinal defeat at home in the U.S. Open Cup, Minnesota went just 1-2-1 to conclude the MLS season. The Loons dropped a 2-1 decision to the lowly Los Angeles Galaxy on Decision Day when a higher seed was in reach.

'There's a sour taste in our mouths that will ultimately put us in a better place for the playoffs,' Loons coach Eric Ramsay said.

Offensively, the Loons haven't been the same since selling leading scorer Tani Oluwaseyi (10 goals, eight assists) to Villarreal of La Ligament in late August. Kelvin Yeboah (9 goals) missed several matches with a hamstring injury before returning at less than 100% for the regular-season finale.

'You know the circumstances we're working with at the moment, what we have available at the top of the pitch,' Ramsay said. 'It's hard to find a team losing two No. 9s and comfortably waltz through the rest of the season. We're a team that's transition, in effect.'

The Loons have remained strong defensively thanks to Dayne St. Clair, one of three finalists for MLS goalkeeper of the year.

While Minnesota defeated Seattle twice this season, the Loons were 1-14-2 against the Sounders prior to 2025.

The Sounders had a bit of a lull after winning the Leagues Cup but finished the regular season with three straight victories.

'Nobody wants to play us in the playoffs,' said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, who has led his team to four MLS Cup appearances -- and two titles -- since 2016.

Jordan Morris, the Sounders' career scoring leader, recently returned from a third stint on the injured list this season and scored in a 2-1 victory at New York City FC last week.

'Playoffs are almost like a new season,' Morris said. 'Even though I haven't been part of the group for most of this year on the field, I think it's a fresh start for everyone. Everyone kind of starts at that level playing field trying to win a trophy.'

The Sounders will be without designated player Pedro de la Vega, as the midfielder suffered a fractured patella against NYCFC and had season-ending surgery. Central defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade, out for more than a month with a hamstring injury, has been cleared to return.

--Field Level Media