The Seattle Sounders (11-5-5, 38 points) host the Minnesota Thunder (3-8-8, 17 points) this Saturday August 11th at Qwest Field in the first match-up between the two clubs this season. Kickoff starts at 7pm Pacific time.

The Sounders are clicking on all cylinders following a 5-0 demolition of the Colorado Rapids to advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time in the MLS era. Seattle will face FC Dallas on September 4th at Qwest Field in the semifinals.

The victory also extended the Sounders unbeaten streak to 11 games and positions the club for an unprecedented run at the so-called “treble” – championships in the USL First Division, U.S. Open Cup, and the Cascadia Cup during the same season. Seattle has already secured the Cascadia Cup this season and is in second place in USL First Division heading into Saturday’s match.

Seattle has netted 18 goals in its last 6 games, after scoring only 23 goals in its first 18 games this season.

French sensation Sebastien Le Toux and his strike partner Roger Levesque continue to lead the offensive charge tied atop the Sounders goal scoring chart with 6 each in league play. Le Toux, in his first season with the Sounders, has performed spectacularly in Seattle’s Cup run with 5 goals in four U.S. Open Cup matches and leads the team in overall goals scored with 13..

Seattle’s defense has recorded three consecutive shutouts. Goalkeeper Chris Eylander ranks first in saves and second in wins and shutouts in USL First Division.

The last-place Minnesota Thunder will look to play of spoiler on Saturday. Minnesota currently sits in last-place in USL First Division, but proved that it is a threat to any top team with two consecutive ties against the first-place Portland Timbers on August 4th and 9th.

Former US National team member Tony Sanneh recently signed with Minnesota and has appeared in two matches for the club. The Minnesota native played seven seasons in Europe from 1998-2004 with clubs Hertha Berlin and FC Nurnberg.

The Thunder also boasts one of the league’s most international rosters. The club has representatives from nine different countries and four different continents.

Following the Minnesota match, Seattle takes a full week off before traveling to face the California Victory on August 18. The Sounders then host the Atlanta Silverbacks on August 22 at Qwest Field.