Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake meet in a Western Conference Wild Card match as the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs begin. The single-elimination game will determine which side advances to the conference semifinals.
Playoff implications
The winner moves on to face the top-seeded team in the Western Conference, while the loser sees its season end. Both clubs finished the regular season with comparable records, setting up a closely contested fixture.
Key storylines
Five major storylines surround the matchup, including home-field advantage, recent form, head-to-head history, tactical adjustments, and player availability. The Sounders host at Lumen Field, where they have been strong this year, while Real Salt Lake have shown resilience on the road.
