Despite the Seattle Sounders' 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City last time out, Brian Schmetzer conceded he is still looking for a "complete performance" from his team. 

The Sounders went in at half-time three goals ahead thanks to finishes from Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnak and Jesus Ferreira, but Kansas responded brilliantly after the break. 

Two penalties from Dejan Joveljic and Santiago Munoz piled the pressure on Seattle late on, but they were able to hold on to clinch a ninth win of the season. 

Schmetzer's team are fourth in the Western Conference standings, going unbeaten in their three league matches since returning from the Club World Cup. 

The Sounders welcome the Colorado Rapids to Lumen Field this week, and Schmetzer said he was looking to see more of the football that was played in the first half against Kansas. 

"The message was that we knew this was a proud team, they've got a new coach, they're trying to play for their jobs, their livelihoods," said Schmetzer.

"We knew they were going to come out in the second half, and we didn't adapt. We didn't deal with it very well. They put us under pressure. That stuff happens.

"There are momentum swings in our sport, and that's kudos to Kerry and his team. They didn't give up.

"There was some really good soccer played in that first half. I loved some of the things we did. We just need to figure out how to get a complete performance."

But they face a Colorado side buoyed by an impressive 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out, their first victory in three league matches. 

Calvin Harris' 12th-minute strike helped them on their way, with further goals either side of half-time from Rafael Navarro sealing all three points for the Rapids. 

It was a result that moved them above the San Jose Earthquakes and into seventh in the Western Conference table. 

And Colorado head coach Chris Armas believes the triumph against Vancouver was just their reward after recent performances had fallen just short of victories. 

"I'm really proud of the team because they've had some tough results lately with some good performances in there," Armas said. 

"You think about the New England game, we were up 3-0 until the turn of events. The way the Kansas game went here. The team really created a lot but didn't get the reward.

"To see them get their reward on the night, there is not much to say to them other than that they were building something real here. 

"We now have to stick to what we have done. It is all about consistency around here. We need to keep putting results together to get closer to our goal, which is the playoffs."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak will be hoping to pile more misery on Colorado this week, and you would not back against him given his impressive record against the Rapids.

Indeed, he has netted seven regular-season goals against Colorado in his MLS career, more than he has managed against any other opponent. However, only two of those goals have been scored in his seven matches against Colorado since joining the Sounders from Real Salt Lake.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic is often known for his goalscoring exploits, having scored eight league goals already this season. But it was his playmaking ability on show against Vancouver.

The American recorded three assists last Saturday, becoming the first Rapids player in over two years to set up three goals in a regular-season match after Connor Ronan against the LA Galaxy in May 2023. 

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle have won 17 of their 21 all-time home matches against Colorado (D2 L2), though one of the four times the Rapids avoided defeat was in their last visit to Lumen Field, a 1-1 draw in March 2024.

But the Sounders have been imperious on home turf. They have lost only two of their last 23 regular-season home matches (W13 D8) dating back to last May. Seattle have played 14 non-league matches at home in that time, losing five of them (W6 D3).

Colorado, meanwhile, are winless in seven straight away matches (D2 L5), conceding multiple goals in each match. The Rapids have also allowed at least two goals in all but four of their last 21 away matches in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 62%

Draw – 20.1%

Colorado Rapids – 17.9%