The Seattle Sounders are hosting the LA Galaxy in the Round of 32 of the 2024 Leagues Cup on Thursday. Here is everything you need to know:
LEAGUES CUP PRIMER: Held across the United States and Canada, Leagues Cup 2024 is a Concacaf-sanctioned tournament that sees all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX compete in a World Cup-style tournament from July 26 to Aug. 25.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to region supremacy, Leagues Cup will determine three qualifiers for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, offering a pathway to potentially representing the region at the FIFA Club World Cup.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 950 KJR AM and SiriusXM FC and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM and Sirius Channel 999.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Sounders: West Group 6 runners-up (defeated Minnesota United 2-0, lost 3-1 to Club Necaxa); Galaxy: West Group 2 winners (defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, defeated Chivas 5-4 on penalties after 2-2 draw).
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 10-8-7 (37 points, 7th West), LA: 14-5-7 (49 points, 1st West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: LWLWW, Galaxy: WWWWL
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Galaxy defeated the Sounders 1-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., on March 30 behind an early goal from Gabriel Pec. The two teams then played to a scoreless draw in Seattle on May 5.
VARGAS SHINES: Obed Vargas opened his Leagues Cup scoring account on Sunday night, tallying the first goal of the match in less than 10 minutes. It was the icing on the cake for Vargas, who's enjoyed his breakout season thus far as a consistent starting midfielder for the Sounders.
DE LA VEGA CONCERNS: After a brilliant opening 33 minutes against Necaxa, Sounders winger Pedro de la Vega was forced to exit with groin pain. He status for Thursday is yet to be determined.
GOALS GALORE: The Galaxy entered the Leagues Cup break with 50 goals scored, tied for the second-most in MLS. Their attacking trio of Pec, Dejan Joveljić and Joseph Paintsil has combined for 30 goals and 24 assists.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Riqui Puig, M
Puig may start a line deeper than the aforementioned attacking trident, but he’s just as effective in the stat sheet and the entire match moves through him. The former Barcelona midfielder leads MLS in total touches (2,401, over 400 more than anyone else) while also contributing eight goals and a team-high 11 assists.
