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Seattle Sounders will take on Portland Timbers on Friday, 17 May, as Major League Soccer (MLS) resumes following a temporary pause for the 2026 World Cup.
Both teams are experiencing very different seasons so far, with Seattle firmly in the mix for a playoff spot and Portland floundering near the bottom of the Western Conference.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers key stats
- Seattle Sounders have won four of their last six home matches
- Portland Timbers have lost three of their last five matches.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in four of Seattle's last five matches.
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers preview: A fresh start could benefit both sides
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers — Tale of the Tape
| Seattle Sounders | vs | Portland Timbers |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 13th |
| 24 | Points | 14 |
| 17 | Goals For | 22 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 28 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 11th | Home / Away Rank | 26th |
There is an argument that the mid-season World Cup break came at the right time for both of these sides, even Seattle Sounders, who are currently in sixth position in the Western Conference table.
The Sounders have been a playoff team more often than any other franchise since joining the league in 2009, with 16 postseason berths in 17 seasons. While they are on course to continue that trend, their form before the break was slightly concerning.
The recent form guide states that they have won just one of their last five MLS matches, a run that has seen them fall further back from Vancouver and San Jose at the top of the division.
Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, who has been in the hot seat for a decade, will be keen to reboot their season properly on Friday, and goals will be the order of the day. To date, the Sounders have scored the third-fewest goals in the West.
In terms of team selection, Schmetzer is without Paul Arriola, Nikola Petkovic, Pedro De la Vega and Yeimar Gomez Andrade.
As for the Portland Timbers, time is running out to save their season. We are nearly halfway through the regular season, and they currently trail the LA Galaxy in ninth position by six points.
Jack Cassidy is set to take charge of the team for the first time after being appointed as the interim Head Coach following Phil Neville's dismissal before the World Cup break.
A big issue for Portland this season has been their defensive organisation. Only two sides in the Western Conference have conceded more goals than the Timbers this season, so that will be a key focus for Cassidy for the rest of the season.
For the match against Seattle, Portland will be without Omir Fernandez, Diego Chara and Jose Caicedo due to injuries.
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers form guide & betting tips
| Celtic | vs | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
DDWLL |
Form | LWDLL |
| 5 | Points | <4 |
| 22nd | Form Table | 24th |
| 5 | Goals For | 9 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 9 |
DDWLL |
Form (All Comps) | LWDLL |
Whispers predicts: Seattle Sounders 2-0 Portland Timbers
A home match against one of the division's weakest teams is just what Seattle would have wanted as their first game back after the World Cup break. Seattle to win has been best priced at 1/2.
No side in the Western Conference has conceded fewer goals than Seattle this season. Portland to score under 0.5 goals has been priced at 7/4.
None of the last four matches between these two teams has produced more than two goals. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 2/1.
> Seattle to win at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 2/1 (3.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 0.5 Portland goals at 7/4 (2.75) | Likelihood: Possible