The Seattle Sounders are visiting LAFC on Saturday in the Western Conference Semifinal. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 93.3 KJR FM and El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-9-9 (57 points, 4th West), LAFC: 19-8-7 (64 points, 1st West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: WWDWW, Los Angeles: WLWWW
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: LAFC has beaten Seattle in all four previous meetings this season. The Black and Gold won 2-1 and 3-0 in MLS regular season play, 3-0 in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal and 1-0 in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Sounders: Defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-0 in the Best-Of-3 opening round series.
LAFC: Defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in the Best-Of-3 opening round series.
WAITING GAME: Due to winning their series in just two matches as well as the FIFA international break, the Sounders will go 20 days between the end of their series with Houston and the Western Conference Semifinal. LAFC will have gone 15 days between games.
DEFENSIVELY SOUND: In addition to leading the league with the fewest goals allowed, Seattle’s defense allowed just 1.00 non-penalty Expected Goals per 90 this season, which was also best in MLS.
BUCKING THE TREND: It’s been tough for the Sounders to find their footing against their budding rivals in Southern California. Seattle has not beaten LAFC in its last 10 contests in all competitions (0-8-2) dating back to a 2-0 win on May 16, 2021.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: BMO Stadium is one of the toughest places for opposing teams to win. LAFC lost just twice in 17 home league contests in the league this year, which tied for the second-best mark in MLS.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mateusz Bogusz, F
Denis Bouanga had another fantastic season, but Bogusz has leveled up considerably in his second season in MLS. The 23-year-old went for 15 goals and seven assists and played his way into his first cap for Poland this fall.
