Orlando City are home for the second game running to take on the Seattle Sounders in a cross-conference matchup.

The Lions enjoyed another late win on Sunday night against NYCFC to extend their winning run to three games. Tesho Akindele headed home in the sixth minute of stoppage time to give Orlando a 2-1 victory.

The Sounders were defeated 2-1 by Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers on the weekend. The CONCACAF champions got off to a great start with Yeimar Gómez heading home from an Alex Roldan cross. Brian Schmetzer's side were not able to hold onto their lead as goals either side of halftime launched the Timbers closer to the playoff line.

The series is heavily dominated by the Sounders (4W, 1D, 0L), but a lot has changed since the two sides last met, 1,204 days ago.

Orlando now have a bit of breathing space, sitting 5th in the Eastern Conference after last weekend's results. Meanwhile, for Seattle, not much has gone right domestically this season; they sit 10th in the Western Conference, four points off the Galaxy in 7th.

Team news

Mauricio Pereyra is set to return for the Lions following his suspension. Center back Robin Jansson could return to the squad after missing out on the last two games due to injury. 

Seattle will still be without USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan and Brazilian João Paulo. Youngster Obed Vargas is also set to miss out on the trip to Central Florida. 

Predicted lineups

Orlando: Gallese, Moutinho, Schlegel, Antonio Carlos, Ruan, Araújo, Pereyra, Angulo, Torres, Michel, Kara. 

Seattle: Frei, Tolo, Arteaga, Yeimar Gómez, Rowe, Atencio, Rusnák, A. Roldan, Lodeiro, Morris, Ruidíaz.

Ones to watch

Tesho Akindele

Super sub Tesho has been the hero for Orlando City fans in the last two games. Not only has he scored late winners in both, but his general play has also been very good in his cameos.

The Canadian will most likely start the game on the bench, but Oscar Pareja may call on his services if Orlando are looking for a goal. 

The 30-year-old is finally finding form at a crucial part of the season. 

Raúl Ruidíaz

Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz only has six MLS goals to his name this campaign, but anyone who follows the league will know that he can hurt even the best defense on his day.

The 32-year-old has scored 70 goals since joining the Washington-based outfit in June of 2018, helping them to MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions League victories. 

If Seattle are to make the postseason this year, they will need their Designated Player striker to step up like he has done in previous seasons. 

Last time out

As previously mentioned, the last meeting was 1,204 days ago, with the Sounders coming up on top at home. 

In the 19th minute, Seattle were deservedly in the lead. A one-two between Brad Smith and Harry Shipp opened up the Orlando defense to set up an easy tap-in for Raúl Ruidíaz. 

The Sounders extended their lead in the 68th minute after Nicolás Lodeiro's curling cross was tapped home by an unmarked Handwalla Bwana.

Orlando, then managed by Irishman James O'Connor, got a goal back with 15 minutes to go through Chris Mueller. The 2018 sixth overall draft pick's low-driven shot went through a crowd of green jerseys and into the bottom right corner of Stefan Frei's goal. 

How to watch

Fans in the Orlando area can tune in on Fox 35 Plus, while Fox 13 is the destination for fans in Seattle. The game can also be accessed nationally on ESPN+.

Kick off is set for 7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT.