The Seattle Sounders are visiting the LA Galaxy on Saturday in the Western Conference Championship. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, 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), Galaxy: 19-8-7 (64 points, 2nd West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: WWWDW, LA: WWWLW
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Sounders went 1-1-1 against the Galaxy in three matches this year. LA defeated Seattle in MLS play on March 30 before playing to a scoreless draw on May 5. The Sounders downed the Galaxy in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 on Aug. 8.
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Sounders: Defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-0 in the Best-Of-3 opening round series, defeated LAFC 2-1 after extra time in the Western Conference Semifinal.
Galaxy: Defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the Best-Of-3 opening round series, defeated Minnesota United 6-2 in the Western Conference Semifinal.
RENEWED RIVALRY: This is the first postseason meeting between the two clubs since 2015 when the Sounders defeated the Galaxy 3-2 at Lumen Field in the opening round.
MLS CUP HOSTING ON THE LINE: The winner of Saturday’s Western Conference Championship will earn the right to host MLS Cup against the Eastern Conference winner of Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls.
SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE: Saturday’s contest features the league’s highest-scoring team in LA (69 goals scored) against the league’s best defensive team in Seattle (35 goals allowed). LA has also scored a record 15 goals through its opening three playoff games.
MORRIS TIES POSTSEASON RECORD: With his match-winning goal against LAFC in the second period of extra time, Jordan Morris now has nine career postseason goals. He’s tied with teammate Raúl Ruidíaz for the most among active players.
FREI STANDS ON HEAD: In typical Stefan Frei fashion, the Sounders goalkeeper reached a new level in the postseason. He recorded nine saves against LAFC to keep Seattle alive.
BEWARE THE “KILLA Ps”: The trio of Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil is arguably the most dangerous in MLS. They combined for 39 goals and 39 assists.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Galaxy boasted the most wins (13) and fewest losses (one) in MLS at home this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Gabriel Pec, F
Pec had a tremendous debut season en route to being named MLS Newcomer of the Year. The 23-year-old Brazilian had 16 goals and 14 assists, both of which were in the top 10 in the league. He scored twice already this season against the Sounders and has three goals and two assists in three playoff matches.
