FC Cincinnati host Seattle Sounders at TQL Stadium on Saturday, August 22 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders both arrive with no fresh absences flagged, so both sides should have their key men available at TQL Stadium. Thomas Barlow leads the home attack with 6 goals from 703 minutes, with Pavel Bucha (5 goals, 15 chances created) and Kenji Mboma Dem (4 goals from 859 minutes) also central to how Cincinnati create and finish. Seattle’s biggest threats travel in Paul Rothrock, who has scored 5 goals and created 17 chances, and Albert Rusnák, whose 33 chances created lead all players in this match.
Cincinnati’s position inside the top six in the East contrasts with Seattle’s slide into eleventh in the West, and the sides’ recent trajectories tell much the same story. The Sounders arrive on the back of five straight losses, shipping goals at both ends of the pitch, while Cincinnati’s own results – including a 4-3 shootout with Vancouver and a 6-2 rout of Orlando – suggest goals should flow again at TQL Stadium. Expect an open contest where both defences are tested, with the hosts’ home advantage and superior goal difference proving decisive.
FC Cincinnati vs Seattle Sounders: Best Bets & Predictions
Cincinnati aim to keep their playoff push on track against a Seattle side searching for answers.
Our approach: we weigh underlying standings, goal difference and top-performer output over table position alone, backing Cincinnati's home scoring form against Seattle's leaky defence to land on a tight 2-1 edge.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Cincinnati sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with 27 points from 19 games, still well placed inside the playoff picture. Seattle occupy eleventh in the Western Conference on 24 points from 17 games, needing results to force their way back into contention.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati | 6 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 27 |
Western Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Sounders | 11 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 24 |
FC Cincinnati vs Seattle Sounders Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
FC Cincinnati
3-4-3Seattle Sounders
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Thomas Barlow (FC Cincinnati): 6 goals from 703 minutes with 11 of his 15 shots on target – the most efficient finisher on either side.
- Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati): 5 goals and 15 chances created in 1573 minutes, the engine behind Cincinnati’s attack.
- Paul Rothrock (Seattle Sounders): 5 goals and 17 chances created in 1272 minutes, Seattle’s most direct source of goal threat.
Recent Form
FC Cincinnati: W W L W D
- 2026-08-16: Orlando City 1-1 FC Cincinnati (D, away)
- 2026-08-02: FC Cincinnati 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes (W, home)
- 2026-07-26: Columbus Crew 2-1 FC Cincinnati (L, away)
- 2026-07-23: FC Cincinnati 4-3 Vancouver Whitecaps (W, home)
- 2026-05-24: FC Cincinnati 6-2 Orlando City (W, home)
Cincinnati’s last five league games have gone W W L W D: a 6-2 win over Orlando City on May 24, a 4-3 win over Vancouver Whitecaps on July 23, a 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew on July 26, a 4-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes on August 2, and a 1-1 draw at Orlando City on August 16.
Seattle Sounders: L L L L L
- 2026-08-02: Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders (L, away)
- 2026-07-26: Philadelphia Union 1-0 Seattle Sounders (L, away)
- 2026-07-23: Austin FC 3-1 Seattle Sounders (L, away)
- 2026-07-17: Seattle Sounders 1-5 Portland Timbers (L, home)
- 2026-05-25: LAFC 1-0 Seattle Sounders (L, away)
Seattle have lost each of their last five: 1-0 at LAFC on May 25, 1-5 at home to Portland Timbers on July 17, 3-1 at Austin FC on July 23, 1-0 at Philadelphia Union on July 26, and 2-1 at Portland Timbers on August 2.
FC Cincinnati vs Seattle Sounders Prediction
Cincinnati’s push to stay inside the top six in the East continues at TQL Stadium, and this looks a game where their attacking depth outweighs Seattle’s need to arrest a five-match slide that has dropped them to eleventh in the West. Expect goals at both ends, with Barlow and Bucha doing enough to see the hosts home 2-1.