Los Angeles FC aims to continue their dominance of Seattle FC when the Western Conference powers meet on Saturday night in the Pacific Northwest.
Los Angeles FC are 5-0-2 in the last seven matches against Seattle, including a 2-1 win early this season and a 1-0 victory in last year’s playoffs to eliminate the Sounders.
However, Seattle (10-7-7, 37 points) is the hotter team entering this matchup, having won five straight MLS matches and gone 6-0-1 over its last seven.
“Saturday is such a big game against LAFC,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. “… This is a massive game for us.”
Los Angeles (13-5-5, 44 points) is tied for second in the West with Real Salt Lake, two points behind the first-place LA Galaxy.
LAFC were charging along with a 10-match MLS unbeaten streak (9-0-1) before getting whipped 5-1 at the defending champion Columbus Crew on July 13 and playing Salt Lake to a 1-1 home draw on Wednesday.
“We need to stay calm. We know we’re a very good team,” LAFC defender Aaron Long said. “We’re going to win a lot of games. Just right the wrongs on the weekend. … These stretches are going to come during the season.”
While acknowledging that his team is better than the Columbus beatdown, LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo wasn’t thrilled with his squad’s play.
“We were not happy with the performance,” Cherundolo said. “There are still a lot of things we need to improve on.”
LAFC could receive a boost from potent Olivier Giroud as soon as Saturday when the secondary transfer window opens.
The leading goal scorer (57) in France national team history, Giroud signed with LAFC earlier this season and just finished playing in the European Championships.
Giroud would further strengthen an attack that includes Denis Bouanga (14 goals, third in MLS) and Mateusz Bogusz (12).
Seattle’s top two threats are Jordan Morris (nine goals) and Raul Ruidiaz (eight). Morris has scored a goal in eight of his last 11 MLS matches, but he didn’t find the back of the net during Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over visiting St. Louis City.
Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei recorded his eighth shutout of the season and 113th of his career, passing Kevin Hartman for second in MLS history. Nick Rimando is the all-time leader with 154.
Frei’s focus is now on stifling the LAFC offense.
“We know exactly what they bring to the table,” Frei said. “They’re a very good side, but we welcome the challenge.”
–Field Level Media
