SOUNDERS 1, RSL 1: Moments after the Sounders had seemingly sealed the win only to have the goal overturned by VAR, RSL scored a 90+10 equalizer.

ANDRÉS GÓMEZ AT THE DEATH. 😱@RealSaltLake keep their unbeaten streak alive! pic.twitter.com/IopnaLdooh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 30, 2024

SOUNDERS 1, RSL 0: Albert Rusnák scored on a free kick from about 25 yards out, beating Gavin Beavers with a shot just out of his reach. It was his 50th career MLS goal, a week after he picked up his 50th career assist.

Albert Rusnák from DISTANCE gives us the 1-0 lead! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/4gXHd2MNSF
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 30, 2024

LINEUPS: The Sounders are going with a very similar lineup as they did against St. Louis City, with Nouhou replacing Cody Baker as the only change. Notably, Pedro de la Vega is not available, but Josh Atencio.

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, are rotating about half their lineup. Among the players being rotated out are Cristian Arango, Matt Crooks and Andrew Brody.

The Seattle Sounders have navigated this stretch of fixture congestion about as well as anyone could have hoped, but they’ll end it with arguably their biggest test. Real Salt Lake come into tonight’s match leading the Western Conference, powered by one of the league’s best offenses and riding an 11-match unbeaten streak. If there’s anything working against them it’s that they have a game this upcoming weekend, while the Sounders do not, which could potentially lead to some lineup rotation.

The Sounders, though, are playing as well as they have all year and seem to have finally found their footing after a rough start. Since going 0-2-3 to open the season, they’ve gone 4-4-2 (1.5 points per game) in league play to move into a playoff position for the first time this season. They’ve also gone 4-1-3 in their last eight games across all competitions (which includes to U.S. Open Cup games).

These two teams met just two weeks ago, with RSL earning a 2-0 win that was probably more dominant than the scoreline suggested. But the Sounders did use a heavily rotated lineup in that game and should be closer to first-choice tonight.

Notes

The Sounders have yet to allow a non-penalty goal at home with 11 men on the field. The goals they’ve allowed have either been penalties or after a red card.
Only four teams have allowed less xG over their last five games than the Sounders’ 5.6. Only six teams have allowed more xG over their last five games than RSL’s 8.3.
This marks the end of a five-week stretch in which the Sounders played midweek games every week. They will have played 10 times over the course of 33 days ahead of this weekend’s bye.
The Sounders have a 12-4-1 advantage over RSL at Lumen Field.
Sounders legend Jimmy McAlister is being honored at Wednesday’s match as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration. McAlister played for the NASL Sounders from 1976-1979, winning NASL Rookie of the Year in 1977.
The Rave Green are set to honor the life and legacy of Seattle icon Bruce Lee on Wednesday. The team will wear its secondary kit inspired by Lee, as well as incorporate various matchday activations.