Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paolo insists every game matters and wants his team-mates to prove that against Minnesota United.
The Sounders return to MLS action on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal but will meet them again in the US Open Cup semifinal next week.
Seattle sit seventh in the tightly contested Western Conference, and Paulo has warned against the danger of looking past their test against Minnesota and focusing on the wrong game.
"We need to make a good game this weekend against Minnesota," he said.
"We need to try to build some momentum again and go in strong for the last few games. I think it's a good test for us ahead of next week [US Open Cup semi-final].
"The most important game is the next one, so we need to go in with that mentality."
Meanwhile, Minnesota sit four points below Saturday's opponents in ninth in the table.
They suffered disappointment in the Leagues Cup, bowing out in the group stage having lost their opener 2-0 to Seattle.
Minnesota suffered a dip in form prior to the break, but new signing Kelvin Yeboah says he buys into the club's promise.
"The project intrigued me, and speaking to the coach drew me to the club," Yeboah said.
"I made this decision based on the club's project and on the league, it's all growing, and that's what intrigued me."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Robin Lod
Robin Lod has been involved in a career-high 17 regular-season goals in 2024 (six goals, 11 assists).
Only Darwin Quintero (26) in 2018 and Emanuel Reynoso (21) in 2022 have been involved in more in a single regular season in Minnesota's MLS history.
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris has scored a team-high nine regular-season goals for the Sounders in 2024.
With another goal, the American would become the ninth player in MLS history, and the first for Seattle, to have five double-digit scoring seasons with a single team.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
Minnesota have won only one of 16 all-time meetings with the Sounders in all competitions (two draws, 13 losses). All three matches in which the Loons avoided defeat against Seattle came at home, including a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field last August.
The Sounders have won 10 of their 12 matches in all competitions dating back to late June. Both defeats in that time were 3-0 home losses to Los Angeles FC.
Meanwhile, Minnesota have won their last two home matches in all competitions, recording a 2-0 league win over San Jose Earthquakes before defeating Necaxa, 1-0, in the Leagues Cup. This is the first time the Loons have kept clean sheets in two straight home matches since a run of three straight in August-September 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 34.2%
Draw – 25.8%
Seattle Sounders – 40%