After sleepwalking through the first part of the season to a 4-6-4 record, Seattle has been playing more like defending MLS champions.
The Sounders have shut out their past two opponents and blanked five of their past 11 foes. The Sounders (8-7-7) had a three-match winning streak snapped as they played to a 0-0 tie last Saturday against Los Angeles. During that streak, they scored 10 goals.
Seattle did extend its unbeaten streak to six matches and moved into a third-place tie in the Western Conference. At home, Seattle is an impressive 6-1-3.
And history is on the Sounders' side.
Last year at this time, Seattle scuffled and looked dead in the water before the offense clicked and the Sounders were off and running to their first MLS Cup.
Credit a more attacking style, pride and/or urgency, the Sounders appear poised to be ready to make their move.
But first they must take care of business and that means not overlooking Minnesota United on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Minnesota (6-12-4) is coming off its most impressive game of the season, a 4-0 shellacking of D.C. United.
Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi each scored before halftime, Miguel Ibarra added a late goal as Minnesota ended a five-match winless run.
Kevin Molino contributed a pair of assists for the Loons, who scored four goals for the second time this season. The Trinidad & Tobago star hopes to build momentum off his performance and shake the injury bug that has derailed his stay with Minnesota.
"For me, I just need to keep smiling and enjoy what I do," Molino said after the win against D.C. United. "Tonight was a night I was rewarded. Not just the assists, but for us as a group, we did well. Now it's about how we react. We have two important games against the champions. We have to stay patient and progress as a team together."
Minnesota, which snapped a scoreless streak that stretched to 351 minutes, faced a difficult task even if they were 100 percent healthy. But Ramirez limped off the field after scoring his 11th goal and will not suit up against the Sounders.
And it's not like the defending champs need any more help, but on Wednesday they officially signed Spanish winger Victor Rodriguez.
"I saw a lot of the highlights of the team and their playing style," Rodriguez said of why he is excited to join Seattle. "It was very encouraging to see the style the Sounders play. It's very possession-based, which helps my style of play."
He said he doesn't care where coach Brian Schmetzer utilizes him, he can't wait to help out.
"I feel pretty comfortable in all of (positions)," Rodriguez said. "At the end of the day, it's down to the coach to see where he wants me to play."
Unlike when Nicolas Lodeiro came to the Sounders last season and sparked their run to the title, Schmetzer doesn't see a need to be rushing the 28-year Rodriguez into action. He will have time to acclimate to his new surroundings and teammates.
"He's coming into a good squad, so I don't want to put any undue pressure on the kid," Schmetzer said. "Let him grow within the group and see where his strengths are and see where we can use him and go from there."
Adding to Schmetzer's options is the return from the Gold Cup of Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris.
Saturday will be the first time the two teams have ever played each other.
