The Seattle Sounders are hosting LAFC on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Leagues Cup. 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 5 p.m. 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 in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Sounders: West Group 6 runners-up, defeated LA Galaxy 3-1 in Round of 32, defeated Pumas UNAM 4-0 in Round of 16; LAFC: West Group 7 runners-up, defeated Austin FC 2-0 in Round of 16, defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in Round of 16
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 10-8-7 (37 points, 7th West), LAFC: 14-5-5 (47 points, 2nd West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: WWLWL, LAFC: WWLWW
FAMILIAR FOE: The Sounders and LAFC will meet on Saturday for the second of three times in a span of just five weeks. The Black and Gold defeated Seattle 3-0 at Lumen Field in the final MLS regular season match before the start of Leagues Cup, and the two Western Conference rivals will meet again on Aug. 28 in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
RUSNÁK ROLLING: Sounders attacking midfielder Albert Rusnák is having his most productive season in Rave Green since signing as a free agent Designated Player in 2022. The Slovakian has 14 assists in all competitions and his goal and three assists in two Leagues Cup knockout round matches have paved the way for Seattle’s run to the quarterfinals.
GIROUD DEBUT: Summer transfer acquisition Olivier Giroud made his long-awaited debut for LAFC on Tuesday in their win over San Jose in the Round of 16. France’s all-time leading goalscorer came on in the 71st minute.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Denis Bouanga, winger
Bouanga is one of Major League Soccer’s best players and is coming off a two-goal performance in the Round of 16. The Gabon international is tied for second in the league’s Golden Boot race with 16 goals and recorded a brace last month when LAFC visited Lumen Field.
