Overview

• The Western Conference matchup kicks off Sunday at Q2 Stadium, with both clubs entering the final five league matches seeking better seeding.
• Austin sits seventh at 11-10-8 (41 points), while Seattle is 12-8-9 (45 points) and two points back of fourth-place LAFC in the race for a first-round home playoff spot.
• Austin reached its first U.S. Open Cup final with a 2-1 extra-time win at Minnesota on Wednesday, sealed by CJ Fodrey’s 120th-minute goal, and will host Nashville on Oct. 1.
• Austin faces fatigue concerns after 120 minutes midweek and remains without Brandon Vázquez due to his season-ending knee injury, with no other major injuries reported.
• Seattle fell 3-1 at Inter Miami on Tuesday, but leading scorers Danny Musovski (14 goals) and Albert Rusnak (10) are expected to be available after limited midweek minutes; the Sounders won the first meeting 2-0 on June 28.