The Seattle Sounders went into Allianz Field on Saturday and did what they always seem to do: beat Minnesota United.
The Sounders are 15-1-2 in 18 all-time meetings against the Loons in all competitions with the one and only loss coming more than three years ago. Since Minnesota entered MLS in 2017, it’s been one-way traffic for Seattle, which consistently has Minnesota’s number.
In some ways, it’s quite fitting that the Sounders have a chance to buck an unfortunate trend of their own when they host LAFC on Wednesday at Starfire Sports Complex in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, 950 KJR AM | TICKETS). LAFC is unbeaten in its last nine matches against the Sounders (7-0-2), including three wins already this season.
“We’ve been in a good run of form,” said Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák. “If it weren’t for some of the games against LAFC, we would be one of the hottest teams in the league, both in MLS and also Leagues Cup.”
The Sounders are 7-1-1 in their last nine MLS regular season matches dating back to June 15, with the one loss in league play coming at the hands of the Black and Gold. But Rusnák, who recorded a goal and an assist in Seattle’s win over Minnesota en route to an MLS Team of the Matchday honor, praised Seattle’s resilience to put its head down and grind out a strong result.
“It’s not easy to lose at home to LAFC the way we did [in Leagues Cup] to start MLS again and come on the road to a tough place in Minnesota…and take the lead three times and come out with three points,” he said. “It does show that the group is sticking together.”
Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer complimented his team’s collective effort in not looking ahead of Minnesota and getting the job done.
“They passed the test,” Schmetzer said. “They could have come in here and laid an egg. They didn’t.
“I was able to get [João Paulo] out of the game. We still won the game. I was able to rest a few other guys. I was able to get guys minutes. I thought it was great.”
On Wednesday, Seattle will have a great shot at earning its first victory over LAFC since 2021 as the visitors enter on a quick turnaround after a late 3-1 loss to Columbus Crew SC in the Leagues Cup Final on Sunday. The Crew, for what it’s worth, have LAFC’s number, having also dispatched them in last year’s MLS Cup Final and earlier this year in a 5-1 rout.
Schmetzer knows too that his side can compete with anyone in the league on any given day. Despite LAFC boasting new high-profile acquisition Olivier Giroud, reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanaga and a plethora of other attacking weapons, when asked if there were a talent gap between the Sounders and their southern California counterparts, Schmetzer demurred.
“We have very talented players,” he said. “We’re going to win against LAFC at some point. We’re ready to make that first victory on Wednesday at Starfire.”
