Seattle vs. Minnesota United: Friday Major League Soccer Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions (April 16)

Seattle vs. Minnesota Odds

The first marquee encounter of the new Major League Soccer season is a rematch of the most memorable 2020 playoff clash when Seattle hosts Minnesota United on Friday at Lumen Field.

In last year’s Western Conference final, the Sounders overcame a two-goal, second-half deficit, eventually leveling and then taking the lead from corner kicks in the 89th and 93rd minutes to break Loons' hearts. Seattle wound up losing in the title game, falling to Columbus in MLS Cup.

Since  then, Minnesota has turned more of its roster over than Seattle, but plenty of the same faces will feature again as the host side welcomes fans for the first time since March of 2020.

There’s also history on the line: the Sounders are 4-0-0 across all competitions against Minnesota at home, including 3-0-0 in league action.

Seattle

The big question in Emerald City is what life looks like without winger Jordan Morris, who suffered the second ACL injury of his career while on loan at Swansea City this winter.

Seattle should have been prepared mentally for his absence. The 2020 Most Valuable Player finalist wasn’t due back until at least the summer anyway. Some thought he might secure a permanent move to the Swans if they earned promotion to the Premier League later this spring.

However, a deep Sounders squad has made only modest additions so far this year, and the most notable “new” attacking piece is actually an old one. Fredy Montero posted four consecutive double-digit goal campaigns from 2009-2012 in Seattle, but at 33 years of age, he's perhaps the club's best candidate for the super-sub role behind 2020 MLS Golden Boot runner-up Raul Ruidiaz.

For that matter, much of the attack is on the older side: Ruidiaz and João Paulo will turn 31 this season, and Nicolás Lodeiro turned 32 last month.

Minnesota

No single player in MLS finished 2020 stronger than playmaker Emanuel “Bebelo” Reynoso, who contributed two goals and 10 assists over a six-game span for the Loons that encompassed the end of the regular season and a three-match playoff run.

It would be unheard of for Reynoso — or any No. 10 — to keep producing at that pace. Prior to 2020, two goals and 10 assists would’ve constituted a career year for the 25-year-old Boca Juniors product.

Yet, Minnesota is clearly hoping he can blossom into a more consistent offensive engine. The Loons even acquired his old striking teammate — Ramon Abila — on loan. 

Manager Adrian Heath will hope the 31-year-old Abila can fit in quickly in the No. 9 role that has never quite been spoken for at the club. If not, MLS veteran Juan Agudelo is another option.

Betting Analysis & Pick

At first glance, the three-way line feels about right, but this is one of those games where the human element is worth remembering. 

Seattle is a club that prizes trophies, and little it does in the first half of this season will make a huge difference in its pursuit of another. The Sounders aren't playing in CONCACAF Champions League, and have repeatedly proven during the Brian Schmetzer era they can shake off early struggles without much real consequence.

Meanwhile, Minnesota comes into a venue where it has never won four-and-a-half months removed from the most heartbreaking night in club history. It’s hard to imagine it won’t give Seattle its absolute best shot, and that it will be easy for the host to match that early energy.

Seattle is still the more talented team and plenty capable of winning this game. However, the emotion involved could make this a Pick'em match, which is why I'm taking a double chance that hits on Minnesota United or the draw.

Pick: Double chance — Minnesota United or Draw (-102)

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