Seattle Sounders FC - Austin FC

Seattle Sounders FC host Austin FC at Lumen Field on Thursday for a Major League Soccer matchday 20 fixture. The expected lineups suggest Seattle may field a forward pairing of Danny Musovski and Paul Rothrock, supported by midfielders Albert Rusnak and Sebastian Gomez. Defensively, Nouhou Tolo and Jackson Ragen are anticipated to feature. Austin FC's predicted XI includes forwards Myrto Uzuni and Christian Ramirez, with midfielders Besard Sabovic and Ilie Sanchez expected to control the centre. Key absences for Seattle include Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola, while Austin FC are without Mikkel Desler.

Seattle Sounders FC have endured a difficult run of form, suffering defeats to Vancouver Whitecaps, Portland Timbers, and Philadelphia Union, and notably losing 3-1 to Austin FC on 23 July. Austin FC themselves have had mixed results, recently falling 2-1 to FC Dallas after a period of defeats against Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo FC. The recent 3-1 victory for Austin FC over Seattle on 23 July provides a significant head-to-head echo for this encounter.