The Seattle Sounders are “ready for whatever the league throws at us” as they look to build momentum heading into the playoffs.
Fifth-place in MLS’s Western Conference ranks fifth in the East, as Seattle heads to New York City FC on Saturday for the final match of the 2025 regular season.
Both teams are already assured of their place in the first round of the play-offs.
Seattle is on a three-game unbeaten streak and forward Jesus Ferreira knows the importance of positive momentum heading into the postseason.
“We will try to fight for the three points,” he said.
“We have a group of guys here who are always ready for whatever the league has to offer [at us].
“We have to start thinking like [it’s] play-off time and show that we are here for business. We have to go out and show what we can do.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer, who led the Sounders to the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019.
“Whatever team we put in, we’re not going to fly all the way to New York just to get away,” he said, hinting at making some changes.
This is the first regular season match between NYCFC and Seattle since 2019, although the teams did meet in the semifinals of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.
“We have to go out and show what we can do.”
The team is focused on the task ahead of Decision Day
READ https://t.co/6rK6c9yfcS pic.twitter.com/HUeCmh5z7i
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 17, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYCFC-Alonso Martinez
Martinez leads NYCFC in shots (99) and goals (17) this season.
He needs just one shot in the finals to become the third NYCFC player with at least 100 shots in a single regular season, joining David Villa (four times) and Valentin Castellanos (once).
Seattle Sounders – Danny Musovski
Musovski is Seattle’s top scorer in this year’s MLS with 14 goals to his name.
The balance for Schmetzer to strike is whether to risk his star forward, while also ensuring Musovski is sharp ahead of the play-offs.
MATCH PREDICTION: Draw
Seattle has posted back-to-back wins from a 1-0 deficit with victories over the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake.
The Sounders are averaging 1.73 points per game if they score exactly one goal this regular season (W5 D4 L2), which would be their most in such games in an MLS campaign.
NYCFC has won 11 of 16 regular season home games (L5) this year, while in 2018 it only won more in one regular season (12).
However, they lost 4-0 to Inter Miami in their last home match and will be looking to avoid consecutive home defeats for the first time since May 2023 (in all competitions).
Seattle advanced 4-2 overall from the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal between these teams three years ago and went on to win the title.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
NYCFC – 34.2%
Draw – 25.8%
Seattle Sirens – 40%
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