Eric Ramsay says Minnesota United can be confident ahead of the first game of the playoffs against the Seattle Sounders, after getting positive results against them during the regular season.

Minnesota, who challenged at the top of the table for much of the year, finished fourth in the Western Conference after a disappointing defeat to the LA Galaxy on Decision Day.

The Loons got the better of Seattle twice during the regular season, winning the home tie 1-0 but also triumphing 3-2 away from home.

"We do take some confidence from the games that we've had so far," Ramsay said.

"It was a really big away performance, a really defining away performance, when we went [to Seattle] and won."

Last season, Minnesota reached the Western Conference semifinals before losing 6-2 to the eventual MLS Cup champions, the LA Galaxy.

They are boosted by the return of Kelvin Yeboah, who is returning to full fitness after injury, and he believes Minnesota could launch a real challenge in the postseason.

"I deeply believe we can go all the way," said Yeboah.

"These playoffs, I think they will need me, and I will do my best and give my 100% and help the team the best that I can."

Seattle, meanwhile, finished fifth in the West and finished the season strongly, on a four-game unbeaten streak.

Last year, they were beaten 1-0 by the Galaxy in the Western Conference Finals, and head coach Brian Schmetzer is determined to build on that experience in order to challenge this time around.

"It's a pretty experienced group," he told reporters. "We've got experience in big games, so the messaging is pretty easy.

"We understand the importance. We took care of Houston [Dynamo] in two games. Why can't we go to Minnesota and win?

"They've had a great season, but they've had their challenges. They stay true to who they are, so it's going to be a great series, but for us, we feel we can go there and get a result."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Tani Oluwaseyi

Oluwaseyi led Minnesota United with 10 goals in the regular season, while Anthony Markanich and Kelvin Yeboah each scored nine.

It is the only time in team history that three different players scored at least nine goals in a single MLS regular season.

Seattle Sounders – Stefan Frei

Frei has recorded 14 career playoff shutouts, trailing only Kevin Hartman (15) for most in MLS Cup Playoffs history.

However, he has not kept a clean sheet on the road in the playoffs since the first leg of the 2017 conference semifinals against the Houston Dynamo.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The Seattle Sounders have won 14 of their 19 matches (D2 L3) in all competitions against Minnesota United.

The Loons, however, have won both meetings in 2025, as they look to be the first team to win three MLS matches (including playoffs) against Seattle in a single season since Portland in 2018 (three).  

Seattle's 25 victories in the MLS Cup Playoffs are the most by any team over the last 15 seasons.

And Schmetzer has 18 victories in the MLS Cup Playoffs as head coach of the Sounders, tying him with Bruce Arena (with the LA Galaxy) for the most playoff wins by a manager with a single team in league history.

Minnesota's 27 set-piece goals in 2025 were the most in the regular season by an MLS team since FC Dallas had 29 in the 2014 regular season.

The Loons' six goals from throw-ins in 2025 were the most in an MLS regular season since the Philadelphia Union also had six in 2013.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 35.5%

Draw – 26.1%

Seattle Sounders – 38.4%