Mikey Varas is fully confident that San Diego FC are moving in the right direction and wants them to build on recent momentum against the Seattle Sounders.

San Diego are winless in their last eight league matches (D3 L5), having won their first three this season, but they did end a five-game losing streak with a 2-2 draw against Los Angeles FC.

It was another match in which San Diego dropped points, though, as Ryan Hollingshead scored a 104th-minute equaliser for LAFC to snatch a point.

While Varas acknowledged it felt like a loss following the late goal, he also believes it is a step in the right direction to getting back to winning ways.

"This is a brutal business, and we got the wrong side of the razor-thin margins [against LAFC], but what I would say is it's a really important step," Varas said.

"We got a point right now to get us building some momentum in the right direction.

"I believe in every single one of my people, and I believe in our style of play, the effort we're putting forward. We've got to build on this momentum."

While San Diego have slipped to 12th in the Western Conference during their dismal run, Seattle are up in fourth, eight points behind leaders San Jose Earthquakes.

The Sounders have only lost once this season, and are unbeaten in seven (W5 D2), though they drew 1-1 with lowly Sporting Kansas City last time out after giving up the lead.

It was a result that left Brian Schmetzer disappointed, claiming Seattle need to win those games if they want to be challenging for titles.

"The players have made a statement about being a serious Supporters' Shield contender," Schmetzer noted.

"You can't just let points slip away. That will test our mental toughness."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Albert Rusnak had three goal contributions (one goal, two assists) in Seattle's last home match on April 18 against Sporting Kansas City.

It was his 29th regular-season game with multiple goal contributions since joining MLS in 2017. The only active MLS player with more is Hany Mukhtar (36).

San Diego FC – Marcus Ingvartsen

Marcus Ingvartsen recorded his first career multi-goal game on May 2, becoming the sixth different player to do so for San Diego FC over the past two seasons.

Only the San Jose Earthquakes have more players with a multi-goal game (nine) in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle Sounders and San Diego split the season series in 2025, with the home team earning a shutout win in both meetings. The only MLS team that the Sounders have started a series with consecutive shutout wins at home against is St. Louis City SC.

The Sounders are currently on a 20-match home unbeaten streak in all competitions (W15 D5), with their last home loss coming to PSG in the Club World Cup. It is Seattle's longest home unbeaten streak since the club joined MLS in 2009.

San Diego, meanwhile, have dropped nine points from winning positions through their first 11 games this season after dropping a league-low five points from winning positions across the entire 2025 regular season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 55.4%

Draw – 22.9%

San Diego FC – 21.7%