The Seattle Sounders are visiting LAFC on Saturday in the opening match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PT at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX and free to stream on Apple TV.
2023 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 14-9-11 (53 points, 2nd West), LAFC: 14-10-10 (52 points, 3rd West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: LAFC defeated the Sounders 1-0 in last year's Western Conference Semifinal. Denis Bouanga scored the lone goal in the 30th minute.
The Anniversary Kit
The Anniversary Kit represents the intersection of our past, present and future. It honors the generations of players who paved the way for our sustained legacy of success. Inspired by our history and heritage, this kit pays tribute to our first 50 years and marks the beginning of our next 50.
KEY SOUNDERS ROSTER MOVES:
- Added: winger Pedro de la Vega, defender Nathan, forward Danny Musovski, defender Jonathan Bell
- Departed: midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, midfielder Kelyn Rowe, forward Fredy Montero, forward Heber, defender AB Cissoko, midfielder Ethan Dobbelaere
50TH ANNIVERSARY: The Sounders will kick off their historic 50th season in 2024, with the club's founding dating to 1974 in the NASL. They launched a new kit to honor the milestone.
NEW ATTACKING SPARK: The Sounders had a changing in the guard this past offseason, as captain and club legend Lodeiro departed for Orlando City. Seattle revamped its attack with highly touted Argentina youth international de la Vega, who arrives as one of the most promising young players in MLS.
DEFENSIVE CONSISTENCY: Seattle finished tied for the fewest goals allowed in the league last season, conceding just 32 times in 34 matches. The Sounders not only return their entire defensive seven in Head Coach Brian Schmetzer's 4-2-3-1 formation, they added some more depth by signing Nathan from the San Jose Earthquakes and Jonathan Bell from St. Louis CITY.
DEPTH EVERYWHERE: The Sounders are stacked with talent in every position group this season, allowing Schmetzer the flexibility to rotate not only players but formations. Jordan Morris, Raúl RuidÃaz and Musovski highlight a strong forward line, while de la Vega, Albert Rusnák and Cristian Roldan form one of the best attacking bands in the league. Throw in central midfield prowess led by João Paulo combined with a stalwart defensive unit and the Sounders don't sport a single weak link anywhere on the pitch.
KEY LAFC ROSTER MOVES:
- Added: goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, midfielder Eduard Atuesta, defender Omar Campos, winger David MartÃnez
- Departures: midfielder Kellyn Acosta, defender Giorgio Chiellini, goalkeeper Maxime Crepéau, defender Diego Palacios, winger Carlos Vela (currently out of contract)
NEW-LOOK LA: Head Coach Steve Cherundolo's side will look a lot different this weekend than the one that defeated Seattle in last year's postseason. Former MLS MVP Vela is out of contract, while Chiellini hung up his boots on a legendary career and Acosta signed with the Chicago Fire. Longtime Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris takes the reins in goal and former MLS Best XI midfielder Atuesta returns on loan after a spell in Brazil.
THE BOUANGA SHOW: Now, perhaps even more than last year, LAFC's attack will be entirely reliant on Bouanga, the talented winger who struck for 20 goals and seven assists in the regular season en route to an MLS MVP finalist honor. The 29-year-old Gabonese international recorded an astonishing 37 goals in all competitions last season, one of the best ever in MLS history.
