The Seattle Sounders open Leagues Cup group stage play against Minnesota United on Friday. The Sounders are the top seed in their three-team group that also includes Liga MX’s Club Necaxa.

Minnesota started the season strong but has been in a bit of a spiral over the last couple of months, going 1-7-2 over their last 10 matches. Included in that run were a six-game losing streak and a nine-game winless run that just ended on Saturday when they beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, at home. Robin Lod has been their best player with six goals and nine assists, while earning a spot in the MLS All-Star Game. Tani Oluwaseyi has been their big surprise this season, with eight goals and four assists in just 804 minutes.

The Sounders, meanwhile, have recovered from a rough start to the season to go 9-3-4 over their last 16 league matches. Jordan Morris has been among the hottest strikers in the league in recent weeks, scoring eight goals in his last 12 games.

Notes

The Sounders have a perfect 9-0-0 record at home against the Loons. That includes a 2-0 win about a month ago.
United made it all the way to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals last year, albeit while only winning one game in regulation throughout the tournament. They won penalty shootouts in the first two knockout rounds.
The Sounders went pointless in their two group stage games last year, getting outscored 7-2.