Overview

• Saturday’s derby at Lumen Field carries implications for the Cascadia Cup, the Supporters’ Shield race and Western Conference seeding.
• Vancouver enter on a club-record 56 points and would clinch the rivalry trophy with any result, with a win also potentially securing a top‑four finish and opening‑round home advantage.
• The Whitecaps expect Thomas Müller to be available after two games out, Brian White returned midweek and scored, and Ryan Gauld is ruled out.
• Seattle list several absences, including Paul Arriola and Ryan Kent, with Reed Baker‑Whiting and Obed Vargas unavailable due to international duty.
• Head coach Brian Schmetzer is pressing the Sounders to close games after late concessions have cost seven points, with Vancouver having handed Seattle a 3-0 defeat in the previous meeting.