The Seattle Sounders visit LAFC on Sunday for the first of two clashes in eight days. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 4 p.m. PT at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1 and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 5-0-1 (16 points, 2nd West), LAFC: 6-1-1 (19 points, 1st West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WWDWW, Los Angeles: LWWWW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 0-2-0 all-time against LAFC, losing their only previous road match.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle visited expansion side LAFC on April 29, 2018, falling 1-0 on a late goal by center back Laurent Ciman. The Rave Green carved out a host of chances, only to see three shots cleared off the line by defenders. With the match seemingly destined for a draw, the MLS newcomers secured three points when Ciman struck a wicked free kick in the 93rd minute.
PARLEY FRAY: The Sounders and LAFC will each wear specially designed adidas Parley kits as part of Major League Soccer’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The kits are made from technical yarns containing Parley Ocean Plastic as part of an initiative to raise awareness of the harmful impact of marine plastic pollution.
BREAK THE BANC: LAFC is 13-1-7 all-time at Banc of California Stadium during MLS regular-season play. The sole defeat came at the hands of Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 11, 2018. Seattle will need to fire on all cylinders to take three points at LAFC’s fortress.
BEST IN THE WEST: The Sounders and LAFC are the top two sides in MLS eight weeks into the season. LAFC dropped its first match of the year on Wednesday, falling 1-0 at the Vancouver Whitecaps, while Seattle is one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in MLS play. Seattle handed Toronto FC its first loss of the campaign in Week 7, winning 3-2 at CenturyLink Field.
SWEET STEFAN FREI: The Sounders goalkeeper is tied for the MLS lead in saves this season, pulling off 24 stops through six matches. Tyler Miller, LAFC’s starting goalkeeper and Frei’s one-time protégé in Seattle, is tied with Frei with three shutouts on the season.
Bruin celebrates his second goal vs. TFC on Saturday | Charis Wilson
DANCING BEAR: Will Bruin earned just his second start of the season on Saturday and bagged a brace in Seattle’s 3-2 win over TFC. With the veteran forward in top form and Raúl RuidÃaz likely healthy for the weekend, the Sounders have ample depth up top.
SHOTS ON SHOTS ON SHOTS: LAFC boasts two of the top five shot takers in the league in Carlos Vela (46) and Diego Rossi (27). The Sounders defense will need to be on red alert all afternoon, as LAFC’s dynamic attack leads MLS with 21 goals through eight matches.
NOT UP IN HERE: Sunday’s match will feature two of the best back lines in the league. Seattle is tied with Columbus Crew SC for fewest goals allowed (five), while LAFC is one back with six.
FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY: LAFC and Seattle are both led by Uruguayans. Nicolás Lodeiro has two goals and four assists through six matches, while his countryman Rossi has six goals and one assist through eight starts.
NEW-LOOK SOUNDERS: The Sounders’ lineup will look awfully different from when they faced LAFC this time last year. Of Seattle’s current projected starting lineup, only six started at LAFC last season, which includes Gustav Svensson playing out of position at center back. Seattle’s current firepower should make for LAFC’s toughest test of the season.
