Schmetzer urges Seattle to build on 'statement win'

The Seattle Sounders delivered a "statement win" against the New England Revolution, but now they must build on that until the end of the season, so says Brian Schmetzer.

Schmetzer's Sounders recorded their fourth straight victory at Gillette Stadium last weekend, with two late goals clinching a 3-0 win against New England.

It has been a remarkable upturn in form for Seattle, who endured an 11-game winless run in MLS following the return to action after this summer's World Cup.

They have now boosted their chances of reaching the postseason, with the Sounders sitting seventh in the Western Conference and eight points clear of 10th-place Portland Timbers.

But Seattle's playoff credentials will be once again put to the test with a trip to high-flying FC Dallas up next as the end of the campaign draws ever closer.

Schmetzer said his team outplayed New England last time out, but he wants his team to continue their winning momentum to further aid their potential postseason preparations.

"This was a statement win," Schmetzer said. "New England is a really good team. They were second in the East.

"We went into their building. It wasn't just a smash-and-grab. We outplayed them. In past years, the team has come together at the end of the year, and we've made a strong run.

"Some of that experience helps me through the challenging period that we had when we were losing games.

"That group has a lot of experienced players that understand that sometimes you go through those moments where you're not doing so well, but what really matters is when it comes to the playoffs, you have to be playing at a very high level."

Dallas, meanwhile, come into this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat away to Charlotte FC, their first league defeat in six league matches (W4 D2).

Logan Farrington and Petar Musa had put Dallas in control by the 64th minute, but two goals in four minutes from Idan Toklomati and Harry Toffolo turned the game on its head.

Charlotte made their momentum count in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, with Toklomati tucking in Pep Biel's cross from close range to complete the comeback.

The result keeps Dallas in third in the West, but they are now only one point ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes, with the Houston Dynamo also within striking distance.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa scored his 53rd regular-season MLS goal in Dallas' defeat to Charlotte FC on Saturday as the race for the Golden Boot heats up.

Only Josef Martinez (77), David Villa (63), Raul Diaz Arce (56), Sebastian Giovinco (55) and Roy Lassiter (55) have scored more goals in their first three MLS seasons.

Seattle Sounders – Paul Arriola

Arriola has been involved in five goals in his last four appearances (two goals, three assists), including scoring and assisting once against New England at the weekend.

He had contributed to just four goals (two goals, two assists) in his previous 24 regular-season games dating back to September 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN

Dallas have lost only two of their last 18 regular-season home matches dating back to August 2025 (W10 D6), including going unbeaten in four straight (W3 D1).

They have also not conceded a goal in their last two home matches, though they have not kept three straight home clean sheets in league play since between May and July 2015.

But despite being the underdogs according to the Opta supercomputer, Seattle have won four straight matches against Dallas, including a 2-1 home win on April 25, the longest winning streak by either team in the 49 all-time meetings between the sides in all competitions.

The Sounders are also unbeaten in nine straight regular-season matches (W4 D5), including winning four straight, after an eight-match losing streak.

They last went 10 or more games unbeaten in a single season in 2021, when they started with 13 straight games without a loss.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas – 46.6%

Draw – 26.4%

Seattle Sounders – 27%