The Seattle Sounders continue their homestand as they face LAFC at Lumen Field.
A 4-0 rout of Cascadia rivals Vancouver, their fourth win in the last five matches, vaulted Seattle into the playoff places for the first time all season.
LAFC have won consecutive league matches to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Western Conference standings.
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Team news
Manager Brian Schmetzer was dealt a tough blow as leading scorer Raul Ruidiaz suffered a pulled hamstring and will be sidelined indefinitely.
The Sounders will welcome back Jordan Morris, Cristan Roldan and Albert Rusnak, who all missed the midweek clash with Vancouver after being away on international duty.
Nouhou was available after playing with Cameroon, but was an unused substitute off of the bench.
The Western Conference leaders made headlines this past week, signing Giorgio Chiellini from Italian giants Juventus. The 37-year old is not expected to feature in this match.
Defenders Erik Duenas (knee) and Julian Gaines (pelvis) as well as backup goalkeeper Tomas Romero (health and safety protocols) have all been ruled out.
Forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi is questionable as he continues to battle a quad injury.
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Predicted lineups
Seattle Sounders: Frei; Nouhou, Arreaga, Regan, A. Roldan; Rusnak, Vargas; Morris, Lodeiro, C. Roldan; Monteiro
LAFC: Crépeau; Sánchez, Fall, Ibeagha; Hollingshead, Ginella, Cifuentes, Acosta; Blessing; Arango, Vela
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Ones to watch
Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)
With the absence of Ruidiaz, the Uruguyan will be counted on to lead from the midfield. He's sitting a little deeper this season, but his production has matched his adjustment in positioning.
Carlos Vela (LAFC)
His contract runs out at the end of the month, a weird situation considering he's the most important player on the Black and Gold roster.
A new deal could be reached, which would help the club keep their standing at the summit of the standings and more importantly, retain one of the league's most dangerous players.
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Previous meetings
Last October, LAFC snapped a three-match winless run against Seattle with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Banc of California Stadium.
Brian Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 21st minute as the Uruguyan ran onto a through ball from Raheem Edwards and finished between the legs of Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Just before halftime, Latif Blessing doubled the lead, capitalizing on a deflected cross by Kim Moon-hwan and slotted home from close range from a difficult angle.
Cristan Arango added a third eight minutes after the restart, his shot from distance deflecting off of Xavier Arreaga and into the net.
The match will be televised nationally with ABC providing English-language coverage. ESPN Deportes will have all of the action in Spanish.
Kickoff is set for 3pm Eastern time.