Homecoming: Sounders will host Ozzie and the Loons for Western Conference title

Monday at 6:30 PM PT on FS1.

There will be at least one more home game for the Seattle Sounders in their quest to repeat as MLS Cup champions, but they’ll have to go through a familiar face to get there.

The Sounders needed Minnesota United to upset Sporting Kansas City on the road Thursday evening, and the Loons did that and then some. Scoring three times in a 12-minute span, Minnesota put together a comprehensive performance at Children’s Mercy Park, defeating the hosts 3-0. The victory means that the Sounders will face off against team legend Osvaldo Alonso, as the United looks to book their first-ever trip to MLS Cup.

There will be no shortage of storylines for the game, even with the short turnaround. The matchup is scheduled for kickoff at 6:30 PM PT on Monday. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, but MLS moved the match to avoid a potential stadium conflict, as the Seattle Seahawks host the New York Giants at 1:05 PM that day. A team spokesperson confirmed there will be no gridiron lines on the field for the game.

The Sounders and Loons did not meet this year, owing to the schedule changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. The league restarted the season in August, preferring regional matchups over a schedule that usually has each team play each other at least once.

This won’t be the first time the Sounders have faced Alonso in a Minnesota United uniform. The teams met in the final game of the 2019 regular season, with the Sounders securing a 1-0 victory on a Roman Torres header and Alonso playing 90 minutes. Alonso also went the distance in the May 4, 2019 matchup between the teams at Allianz Field in Minnesota, a 1-1 draw.

It’s fair to say the stakes are significantly higher this time around.