Brian Schmetzer believes that Albert Rusnak will be the key to the Seattle Sounders' success this season after his goal against the Portland Timbers.

Rusnak was on target in the 30th minute in the Sounders' 1-1 draw with Phil Neville's side last week, netting his sixth league goal of the season.

He also ended the game with a joint-team-high total of chances created (three), with Schmetzer lauding the midfielder's start to the season.

"It was a classic Albert Rusnak goal," said Schmetzer. "As soon as he got the ball on his foot, I knew he was going to score. He's done that countless times in his career.

"I thought [Rusnak] was very good tonight, very influential. I gave him good marks."

Full-back Alex Roldan echoed Schmetzer's sentiments, calling Rusnak's finish into the bottom corner against Portland his signature move.

"He's always looking to get players in better positions to contribute with either goals or assists," Roldan said of Rusnak.

"We rely on him a lot to create these moments, and when he's not in those positions, you can see how it affects our team. He's vital."

The Sounders welcome FC Dallas to Lumen Field this weekend, with Eric Quill's team without a victory in their last three MLS games.

Dallas were beaten 2-0 by rivals Houston Dynamo last time out, leaving them 11th in the Western Conference after 13 games of their season.

One positive from their defeat to the Dynamo was the continued return of Paxton Pomykal, who sustained a long-term knee injury back at the start of the 2024 season.

"It was pretty surreal. You dream about the time you're going to step back out on the field after being out that long," Pomykal told the club's radio team this week.

"I wish I could have savoured the moment a little more. Just because 400-plus days is a crazy amount of time.

"And then within five seconds, you're on the field, and you have to dial it back in."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Danny Musovski

Musovski, who registered an assist for the Sounders' only goal in their draw with Portland, has contributed to a goal in six of his last seven MLS appearances (five goals, one assist).

He has also notched three goal involvements (two goals, one assist) against Dallas, only managing more against the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City (four). 

FC Dallas – Lucho Acosta

Acosta has made a solid start to his time in Dallas since his move from FC Cincinnati, scoring three goals in 13 MLS appearances so far this season. 

In Dallas' 2-0 defeat to the Dynamo, the Argentine recorded team-high totals for chances created (three), touches (67), successful dribbles (six) and touches in the opposition box (four), but has struggled against the Sounders. 

Indeed, Seattle are one of only seven teams in the MLS he has yet to score against, but Acosta will be looking to put that right this weekend. 

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle are unbeaten in 21 straight home matches against Dallas in all competitions (W17 D4) dating back to the 2011 US Open Cup semi-finals. Dallas' only win in Seattle was a 1-0 victory in May 2011. 

The Sounders are also unbeaten in 12 straight home matches in all competitions dating back to last September (W6 D6). This is their longest home unbeaten run across all competitions since a 17-match streak in 2020-21.

Dallas' seven-match regular-season road unbeaten run ended with a 5-0 loss to San Diego FC in their last away match. They have lost only three of their last 13 on the road (W4 D6).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 57.7%

Draw – 22%

FC Dallas – 20.3%