Published Feb 23, 5:38am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Feb 23, 5:38am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Feb 23, 5:38am ET
The second weekend of the new MLS season is set, and the Seattle Sounders will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign when they travel to Real Salt Lake on Feb 28.
The Sounders were excellent on opening night, winning to nil against the Colorado Rapids. A second straight win will highlight their championship credentials.
Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake will be looking to make home advantage count in their first game at America First Field in 2026.
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|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake | +174 |
| The Draw | +253 |
| Seattle Sounders | +153 |
Real Salt Lake will be outsiders in the playoff race this term, and their shortcomings against the best teams in the Western Conference were evident in their opening night loss against Vancouver.
They failed to create many clear scoring openings, recording just a single shot on target. However, they did defend compactly, restricting their more talented opponents to a single goal.
However, being back in front of their own fans for the first time this term will require them to play more aggressively, with the pressure being on Ariath Piol to lead the line.
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The Seattle Sounders made a dream start to the 2026 season, as they bid to follow up last season’s Leagues Cup success with a dominant showing in the MLS.
Seattle were the better team from start to finish against the Rapids, dominating the ball, and creating a high volume of openings. Albert Rusnak opened the scoring early in the first half to calm the nerves, before Paul Rothrock ensured the win after the hour mark.
Jordan Morris was a constant threat in the wide position, with his ability to cut in onto his preferred right foot being a key part of the team’s game plan.
| TOTAL | Real Salt Lake | Seattle | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 48 | 19 | 19 | 10 |
| Goals | 103 | 52 | 51 |
I was very impressed by Seattle’s opening night showing, and this game should set up perfectly to flex their muscles. The Sounders will dominate the ball, and they have the creative guile to cut open a defensive-minded rival despite playing on the road on Saturday.
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Seattle Sounders
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