The Seattle Sounders are visiting the LA Galaxy on Saturday in their first of two meetings this season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on iHeart Radio and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 0-2-2 (2 points, 14th West), Galaxy: 2-0-3 (9 points, 2nd West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Galaxy 2-1 at Lumen Field in Seattle on Oct. 4, 2023, to book their ticket to the postseason. Douglas Costa’s 54th-minute goal canceled out Jordan Morris’ ninth-minute opener before Cristian Roldan secured all three points in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
RUIDÍAZ STANDS ALONE: Following his penalty kick conversion last weekend, his second in as many matches, forward Raúl Ruidíaz became the Sounders’ all-time leading goalscorer in the club’s MLS history. The Peruvian Designated Player has tallied an incredible 80 goals in all competitions since joining the Rave Green in the summer of 2018.
INJURY BUG: Despite goalkeeper Stefan Frei returning to the starting lineup and Albert Rusnák getting a longer runout last week, the Sounders will still be without a host of big names. Obed Vargas (concussion protocol) and Léo Chú (knee) join Pedro de la Vega (hamstring), João Paulo (hip), Reed Baker-Whiting (hamstring) and Braudilio Rodrigues (hamstring) on the injury report.
MOOSE OFF THE MARK: Newcomer Danny Musovski opened his Sounders account against the Earthquakes last Saturday, as he headed in a cross from Cody Baker at the back post.
JOVELJIĆ ON FIRE: Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić is tied for the early Golden Boot lead and became just the first MLS player since 1998 to score in each of the first five matches to open a season. He’s also getting into great scoring positions, as his 5.99 Expected Goals is nearly two full goals higher than anyone else in the league.
RIQUI RUNNING THE SHOW: LA is led by its talented central midfielder Riqui Puig, who orchestrates everything in attack. The Barcelona product has almost 100 more touches than anyone else in MLS and is tied for fifth in Key Passes with 12.
OPEN MATCHES: The Galaxy have played the most open soccer in MLS through the opening five contests. Their 12 goals scored is first in the Western Conference and only one behind league-leaders Inter Miami, while only four teams have conceded more than their nine goals allowed.
