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Minnesota United open the MLS playoffs Monday night in a best-of-three series against longtime rival Seattle Sounders FC.

The Loons’ stingy defense helped them secure fourth place in the Western Conference. This season marks their highest-point total in club history.

They’ll start with home field advantage against the 5th ranked Sounders on Monday at Allianz Field in St. Paul. The match begins at 8 p.m.

Game 2 will head to Seattle on Monday, Nov. 3, with a match start time of 9:55 p.m. Central.

If needed, the final game of the series will be back at Allianz Field on Saturday, Nov. 8. The start time for that match has yet to be determined.

If you’re just catching up for the season, here’s what you need to know to jump on the bandwagon.

The MLS Cup playoffs have five rounds: the wild card, round one, conference semifinals, conference finals and the MLS Cup finals.

Unlike the regular season, there are no ties in the playoffs. If a match is still even after regulation, it heads straight to a penalty shootout — no extra time.

Here’s a breakdown of how the MLS playoff bracket is laid out for the season:

The Loons finished the season ranked fourth in the Western Conference, with 16 wins, 10 draws and eight losses. They also hold the lowest goals against record of any team in the MLS, with 39 goals against for the season.

The last time the Loons finished with this high of a 

, though the team has finished with 5th and 6th place rankings in the Western Conference multiple times since then.

 — 1-0 in August, and 3-2 in June. It marks their first-ever regular season win in Seattle. 

Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair is one of three finalists for Major League Soccer’s goalkeeper of the year.

St. Clair saved nearly 80 percent of shots he faced during the regular season — the best percentage in the league. He finished fourth in saves and shutouts — with career-best totals in both categories.

The other finalists are from New York City FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Anything I need to know if I go to the game?

Tickets for Monday’s playoff opener are on sale now

Fans are encouraged to wear black in support of the Loons. Everyone entering the stadium will receive a playoff rally towel as part of the gate giveaways.

Pregame festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. on the Sun Country Lawn Layover, featuring freestyle soccer pro Pagu from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Minneapolis producer and artist Lazerbeak takes the stage from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., joined by Dwynell Roland, Longshot and Mixed Blood Majority. Lazerbeak and Mixed Blood Majority will return for an encore performance at halftime.

All three of the Loons matches for Round 1 of the tournament can be watched on MLS Season Pass or Apple TV. You can also watch the game on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

Local fans can also listen to the game broadcast on 1500 ESPN Radio.

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Matt Mikus

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Minnesota United will start their playoff run Monday with a best-of-three series against the Seattle Sounders FC. If you’re just catching up for the season, here’s what you need to know to jump on the bandwagon.

Minnesota United kick off their playoff run Monday. Here's what you need to know

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