Seattle Sounders

Nashville had gone ahead in the 28th minute from Hany Mukhtar's penalty but Hernandez was the centre of attention once again.

The former Manchester United forward failed to convert a 97th-minute penalty attempting a Panenka last Sunday against Sporting KC, spurning a hat-trick and winner.

Hernandez stepped up again in the 55th minute after being bundled over by Shaquell Moore but had his low shot tipped around the post by goalkeeper Joel Willis.

With their season on the line, the Galaxy earned a late reprieve after a penalty was awarded for a Walker Zimmerman handball following VAR review, with the defender receiving a second yellow card.

But Riqui Puig grabbed the ball and took the responsibility instead of Hernandez, before firing just beyond Willis' fingertips for the goal.

The result means the Galaxy are winless in three games and sit eighth in the Western Conference on 40 points.

Western Conference leaders LAFC stumbled again, suffering their fourth loss in their past five games with a 2-1 defeat to Dallas.

Jesus Ferreira boosted his claims on a spot in USA's World Cup squad with a double for Dallas, while LAFC were reduced to 10 men after Ryan Hollingshead's 13th-minute red card.

Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union showed why they are arguably the best team in the MLS with a 5-1 thrashing of Orlando City securing their fifth straight victory.

Lewis Morgan scored a 78th-minute penalty to help New York Red Bulls secure a 2-1 home win over New England to firm up their grip on third in the east.

New York City suffered their seventh defeat from their past nine games, going down 1-0 to Charlotte.

Brenner scored a hat-trick as Cincinnati extended their unbeaten run to nine games, winning 6-0 over San Jose Earthquakes

Thiago Almada fired in a golazo as Atlanta United defeated Toronto 4-2, while Inter Miami slumped to a third straight loss with a 3-1 defeat at Chicago Fire.

Seattle Sounders toppled Austin 3-0, Houston Dynamo and Sporting KC drew 0-0, Portland Timbers edged Minnesota United 1-0, Colorado Rapids beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 and Real Salt Lake and DC United ended goalless.

The Sounders took the three points via a double from Raul Ruidiaz along with goals from Nicolas Lodeiro and Alex Roldan, in this MLS season's first match of the Cascadia Cup.

In the rivalry that dates back to the NASL in the 1970s, the Sounders claimed their 18th win over the Caps in the MLS era with Tuesday's victory.

Ruidiaz was instrumental for Seattle in scoring the opener, breaking clear and playing Fredy Montero in, before he was brought down by Cody Cropper. Lodeiro converted from the penalty spot.

He pounced again in the 28th minute, reacting quickest to Jimmy Medranda's heavy first touch to finish, before scoring a second in the 54th minute. Alex Roldan added a fourth in the 89th minute.

After winning two of their opening seven league games, Brian Schmetzer's side have won four of their past six since claiming the CONCACAF Champions League title in May.

Seattle are now seventh in the Western Conference on 19 points, moving ahead of the three-way tie on 18 points between Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United and Colorado Rapids, with a game in hand as well.

Both goalkeepers had saves to make throughout the Group B clash at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

However, neither team was able to find a breakthrough as the spoils were shared as MLS' return continued amid the coronavirus pandemic.

San Jose goalkeeper Daniel Vega made an excellent save approaching the half-hour mark, denying Cristian Roldan.

Sounders shot-stopper Stefan Frei was also called into action numerous times, finishing with eight saves.

Nicolas Lodeiro almost found an 81st-minute winner for Seattle, but was denied by Vega.

Seattle face Chicago Fire on Tuesday, while San Jose meet the Vancouver Whitecaps the following day.

Denis Bouanga scored in both halves, either side of Mateusz Bogusz's strike, to earn a resounding win at Lumen Field.

The hosts got off to a terrible start as Nouhou Tolo was penalised for a handball during a scramble in the box, with a spot-kick being awarded to LAFC.

Bouanga made no mistake from 12 yards, giving Stefan Frei no chance as he rifled a powerful effort high down the middle.

LAFC doubled their lead 10 minutes later, with Seattle failing to clear their lines following a free-kick before Bogusz volleyed brilliantly across goal.

Despite a flurry of chances in the second half, the Sounders failed to test their opponents and were caught on the break when Bouanga neatly turned two defenders before beating Frei for power.

He could have had a hat-trick late on as he got one-on-one with Frei, but the goalkeeper stood his ground, saving brilliantly to deny him.

Seattle finally found their fight in the dying moments, with Hugo Lloris called into three huge saves to keep his clean sheet and ensure LAFC go into the Leagues Cup break just two points behind the Galaxy in the Western Conference with two games in hand. 

Data Debrief: Bouanga closing in

Bouanga's second goal of the match was his 16th this season, the most of any LAFC player. It also moves him just one behind Real Salt Lake's Chicho Arango in the race for the Golden Boot. 

At the other end of the pitch, Lloris' impressive late show saw him earn a ninth clean sheet of the season in 24 games. No team has had more shutouts in MLS this campaign than LAFC.

The Sounders progressed to their second successive conference decider thanks to Shane O'Neill, who settled Tuesday's contest in the 49th minute.

For only the second time this season and first since September 6, Seattle failed to record a shot on target in the opening half of a home fixture.

But O'Neill headed home his first goal for the club four minutes into the second half to break the deadlock and eventually move the Sounders to within a win of back-to-back appearances in the league showpiece.

The 27-year-old became the first player outside of Seattle's big three – Jordan Morris, Nicolas Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz – to score for the Sounders since Will Bruin on October 22.

Dallas came close to equalising just past the hour mark when Michael Barrios rattled the post, while Andres Ricaurte's follow-up attempt was thwarted by a goal-line clearance via Yeimar Gomez Andrade.

The Sounders will face either Sporting Kansas City or Minnesota United for a spot in the December 12 final.

LA's Oniel Fisher brought down Cristian Roldan in the penalty area in the 49th minute and Ruidiaz beat goalkeeper Jonathan Bond with a Panenka on the spot kick.

That equaliser put Seattle back on top of the Western Conference table on 59 points, one ahead of Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids, while the Galaxy moved up a spot to sixth with the point.

LA had taken the lead in the 19th minute on Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez's 15th goal of the season, the Mexican star flicking the ball past Stefan Frei with the outside of his right foot. 

Jordan Morris took the pitch for Seattle for the first time since injuring his knee February 20 while on loan to Swansea City.

The United States international came on for Ruidiaz in the 60th minute to get in some match time as he looks ahead to the MLS play-offs. 

Seattle travel to Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday in the final match of the MLS regular season, while the Galaxy host Minnesota United. 

The Timbers looked set to claim maximum points thanks to Andres Flores' 10th-minute opener at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Seattle's three earliest goals conceded this season have all been scored by Portland, according to Opta.

But reigning MLS champions the Sounders salvaged a last-gasp draw courtesy of Will Bruin's leveller in the third minute of stoppage time.

It meant Portland have conceded 12 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, three more than any other MLS club, per Opta.

The result ensured the top of the Western Conference standings remains unchanged, with the Sounders ahead of the Timbers on goal difference.

Lodeiro scored two first-half penalties to fuel the Sounders, who are a point clear of Sporting Kansas City in the west after 11 matches.

Seattle playmaker Lodeiro has now converted all 14 of his penalties during the regular season, the most by any player with a 100 per cent record in MLS history, per Opta.

Raul Ruidiaz completed the scoring with eight minutes remaining on Friday as the Sounders continued their ruthless form after humiliating San Jose Earthquakes 7-1 last time out.

The Sounders opened the scoring via Lodeiro's penalty in the 29th minute following Dejan Jakovic's handball in Seattle.

LAFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega was forced to collect the ball from the back of the net again four minutes later when Lodeiro converted another spot-kick, this time after Latif Blessing's foul.

Sounders topscorer Ruidiaz netted his seventh goal of the season in the 82nd minute to secure maximum points at CenturyLink Field.

Reigning Supporters' Shield holders LAFC have now lost three of their last four matches by 3-0 scorelines. They had lost by three or more goals just twice in their first 79 games – including play-offs – according to Opta. They are sixth in the west, six points behind Seattle.

With the scores level to open the game, it proved to be a very cagey opening 45 minutes and the Sounders faced early difficulty, with Nouhou Tolo and Joao Paulo forced off with injuries.

Brian Schmetzer's side got a break just before the interval, however, with Raul Ruidiaz scoring following a scramble in the penalty area in the 45th minute.

Needing to chase the game with the ball, Pumas really struggled to create anything of substance in the second half as the Sounders absorbed pressure.

Indicative of the second leg's complexion, the best chance with the tie in the balance fell to Seattle via Alex Roldan, who intercepted a rushed throw out from Alejandro Talavera in the Pumas goal.

Ruidiaz eventually wrapped up the tie and trophy for Seattle, scoring in transition in the 80th minute. After his two penalties in the first leg, Nico Lodeiro scored Seattle's third in the 87th minute after another Pumas loss of possession.

With the scores level to open the game, it proved to be a very cagey opening 45 minutes and the Sounders faced early difficulty, with Nouhou Tolo and Joao Paulo forced off with injuries.

Brian Schmetzer's side got a break just before the interval, however, with Raul Ruidiaz scoring following a scramble in the penalty area in the 45th minute.

Needing to chase the game with the ball, Pumas really struggled to create anything of substance in the second half as the Sounders absorbed pressure.

Indicative of the second leg's complexion, the best chance with the tie in the balance fell to Seattle via Alex Roldan, who intercepted a rushed throw out from Alejandro Talavera in the Pumas goal.

Ruidiaz eventually wrapped up the tie and trophy for Seattle, scoring in transition in the 80th minute. After his two penalties in the first leg, Nico Lodeiro scored Seattle's third in the 87th minute after another Pumas loss of possession.

An action-packed first half saw Seattle head into half-time with a 2-1 lead, and it was largely through the good work of Jordan Morris.

Albert Rusnak broke the deadlock in the 16th minute – which was assisted by Morris – and after New York City's Thiago Andrade squared the ledger in the 27th minute, Morris added the Sounders' second just seven minutes later.

The home side was good value for their early lead, with 1.51 expected goals to 0.72 in the first 45 minutes.

Seattle captain Nicolas Lodeiro gave his side some breathing room just over 20 minutes into the second stanza, successfully converting his penalty in the 68th minute to make it 3-1.

New York City will host the second leg on Wednesday, April 13, where the winner on aggregate will go through to the final to face the winner of Pumas UNAM and Cruz Azul, with the former leading 2-1 after their first leg at home.

The Sounders emerged from the jaws of defeat in an all-time classic, having trailed Minnesota 2-1 approaching the 89th minute in the Western Conference final on Monday.

Raul Ruidiaz equalised in the final minute of regulation before substitute Svensson completed the epic comeback in the third minute of stoppage time in Seattle, where Minnesota had led 2-0 after 67 minutes.

The Sounders, who will meet Columbus Crew in their fourth final in five years, became the first team to come from two goals down to win a play-off match in 90 minutes since 2009, per Opta.

Minnesota looked on track to advance to their first final thanks to Emanuel Reynoso and Bakaye Dibassy.

Reynoso curled a free-kick past Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 29th minute – the Minnesota star's opener the club's first direct set-piece goal.

Dibassy doubled the lead with 23 minutes remaining as Reynoso turned provider to become the fourth player in MLS history to be involved in multiple goals in three consecutive play-off fixtures, following in the footsteps of Jozy Altidore, Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Landon Donovan.

But Will Bruin came off the bench to trigger Seattle's comeback in the 75th minute after the Sounders forward scored within two minutes of his introduction.

Ruidiaz shocked Minnesota when he riffled a shot into the net at the death, before Svensson headed home the stoppage-time winner – there were four minutes, one second between the equaliser and winning goal.

Two different substitutes scored in the same match for the Sounders for the second time in Seattle's MLS history, after Obafemi Martins and Leo Gonzalez in 2015.

The Sounders became the quickest team to score five goals in an MLS game, requiring just 33 minutes to achieve the feat against the Earthquakes on Thursday.

Seattle – whose six-goal margin of victory is the largest in club history – also tied the record for the most goals scored before half-time in MLS, following in the footsteps of Dallas (2017) and Chicago Fire (2019).

The Sounders fell just one goal short of the all-time MLS record for most goals scored in a match, held by LA Galaxy (1998), as they moved back to the top of the Western Conference.

Jordan Morris opened the scoring in the fourth minute at CenturyLink Field and it was a sign of things to come against the visiting Earthquakes.

Raul Ruidiaz doubled the lead eight minutes later before Kelvin Leerdam and Joevin Jones got in on the action by the 20-minute mark in Seattle.

Ruidiaz made it 5-0 in the 33rd minute following a swift attacking move, while Joao Paulo and Jones piled on more misery early in the second half.

Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski converted a penalty with 19 minutes remaining for his MLS-leading 163rd career goal and fourth of the season for San Jose, who suffered the heaviest defeat in their history.

The Sounders are a point clear of Minnesota United atop the west, while the Earthquakes languish at the foot of the table following nine games.

The hosts sit ninth in the Western Conference standings, but are 12 points adrift of the top three sides in the table.

Schmetzer's side have not won back-to-back MLS games all season, though that is a possibility when the out-of-form Chicago visit Lumen Park.

Seattle will be invigorated by last-gasp drama in their 3-2 win over FC Dallas last time out, and the head coach hopes his team can utilise that momentum going forward.

"We need to follow up that crazy, exciting, perfect for the fans, but horrible for the coaches win," he said. "We've got two more home games to come, and we need to re-establish some home form.

"I haven't mentioned it to the players, but we have discussed it internally among the coaches, how to get them more consistent and delivering on a regular basis.

"[Let's] see if we can generate some more results. We're still below the playoff line, but seven points in a week is a good number.

"Now, we talk about keeping the momentum at home going, not necessarily winning two in a row, but just re-establishing what we do here and how we go about things."

The Fire appeared to be finding form with a four-match unbeaten streak, though that was snapped with a 4-2 defeat in Orlando last weekend.

Chicago are languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and have struggled on the road, managing just one win in nine away matches.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris scored the 88th-minute equaliser and stoppage-time winner in Seattle's comeback win over Dallas on Saturday.

Morris is the first player in Sounders history to score both the match-tying and winning goals in the 80th minute or later of an MLS match.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Hugo Cuypers has scored in four consecutive matches for the Fire, the longest active goalscoring streak in MLS.

If he scores against Seattle, Cuypers will equal the longest regular-season scoring streak in the Fire's MLS history: five games by David Accam in 2017 and Robert Beric in 2020.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

With the Fire enjoying a favourable head-to-head record and the Sounders in fine form, this clash was difficult to split the pair, though Seattle appear favourites for a narrow victory.

Seattle have lost only two of their last 13 matches in all competitions (won six, drawn five), with both of those defeats coming on the road.

Indeed, the Sounders are unbeaten in seven straight home games, including winning three of the last four at Lumen Field (drawn one), but Chicago should still not be ruled out.

The Fire have won their last two meetings with Seattle, one at home and one at the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. Prior to that, Chicago had won just two of 17 meetings with the Sounders (drawn four, lost 11).

They also remain winless in Seattle in nine all-time visits (drawn two, lost seven), but have won their last two trips to the Pacific Northwest, winning 3-1 at Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022 and 2-1 at Portland Timbers in 2023.

Prior to the last two matches, Chicago had never won at any of the three Cascadia MLS teams in all competitions (drawn four, lost 19 at Portland, Seattle and Vancouver), a feat they will hope does not come back to haunt them here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders win – 54.6%

Draw – 23.3%

Chicago Fire win – 22%

Dallas beat Minnesota 5-3 at home on Wednesday, making it three games unbeaten.

The club dismissed Nico Estevez on June 9, and Musa suggested Luccin has let the team off the leash from an attacking standpoint.

“I think we play more vertically towards the goal,” said Musa.

“We are more offensive now, we have a lot of players who run behind and we started playing more attacking football.

"We scored five goals at home so you can see from the build-up that we play attacking soccer. I am very happy about the new style we are implementing.”

Luccin added: “I’m thankful and grateful for the effort from the players. It’s very important for me that the effort has been fantastic. I’m very pleased with some of the sequences that we had, playing good football and very vertical.

“Overall, the goals that we conceded, sometimes we need to be a little bit smarter. All the players have been fantastic. Five goals at home, I think the fans were very happy.

“I’m sure they would’ve liked fewer goals conceded but it’s part of the game. We are making progress. It’ll be step-by-step but you can see the attitude from the players is excellent. They want to play, they understand. Now we need to adjust to find that balance. I really think we deserved to win.”

Next up for Dallas is a trip to the northwest, to face the Seattle Sounders.

Dallas are one place and two points below Seattle in the Western Conference.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jackson Ragen

Ragen scored his first MLS goal in Seattle's 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo last time out. He is the seventh different player from the United States to score for the Sounders in MLS play this season, equalling their number from all of last season.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa’s hat-trick took him onto eight MLS goals for the season, four more than any other team-mate.

He is the sixth Dallas player with a hat trick for the team since the beginning of 2017, tying them with D.C. United for most such players with a hat-trick in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE WIN

The Sounders are unbeaten in 20 straight home matches across all competitions against Dallas (16 wins, four draws), in a run dating back to August 2011.

They could equal the longest ever unbeaten home run by one MLS team against another here (21, achieved twice).

With Dallas winless in 11 MLS road games dating back to last October (three draws, eight defeats), we expect the Sounders to claim a slice of history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 47.5%

FC Dallas – 26.4%

Draw – 26.2%

The Galaxy went down 2-0 to Austin FC last time out, and will look to get back to winning ways when they head up the West Coast to face the Sounders, who they beat 1-0 in March.

Vanney’s side found themselves 2-0 down after just 19 minutes against Austin, though, and the Galaxy coach is growing increasingly frustrated with his team’s sloppy starts.

In quotes reported by The Galactic Tribune, Vanney said: “We've got to do a better job of not starting slow and getting ourselves behind the game one and two goals because then it certainly incentivises the opposition to sit a little bit lower and really kind of protect the face of the goal.”

Vanney also pointed out that sluggishness in the final third is proving equally as costly.

He added: “The speed of our final actions when we are in possession and we do find those moments that we need to break, with the timing of things, needs to be sharper. I feel like we weren't so sharp on that side of things so that we can get to the necessary spots.”

For experienced defender Maya Yoshida, there were few excuses after the Austin loss.

“We were not enough. I don't deserve anything for my performance,” he said. “We deserved to lose. We are very disappointed. We have to learn from this defeat.”

The Galaxy went into the weekend second in the Western Conference, 10 places and nine points above the Sounders.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

Ruidiaz and team-mate Jordan Morris have each scored nine goals against the Galaxy in their MLS careers. Since 2016, the only players with more goals against a single opponent are Carlos Vela (10 vs. Galaxy), Jeremy Ebobisse (10 vs. Galaxy) and Kei Kamara (10 vs. Montreal).

LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig

Puig had a fine campaign last year and the former Barcelona midfielder has picked up where he left off, scoring three goals and creating two more so far this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Galaxy’s loss to Austin ended a run of 18 straight matches with at least one goal in all competitions, scoring 41 total times during that run (2.3 goals per match). It was the Galaxy’s longest run of games with a goal in all competitions since a 21-match run in 2014.

The Sounders won their second match of the season on Tuesday, a 3-2 victory in Philadelphia. Seattle have scored eight goals in their two wins this year (5-0 vs. CF Montreal in April) and six goals in their other eight matches (D3 L5).

The Galaxy beat Seattle at home on March 30, ending an 11-match MLS winless run against the Sounders (D4 L7). The Galaxy last won consecutive MLS matches against Seattle in April-August 2015.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 53.9%

LA Galaxy – 20.1%

Draw – 26%

That was the message from coach Brian Schmetzer, who is relishing a huge occasion at Lumen Field, where the Sounders have been outstanding.

Seattle are on a five-game winning run in MLS, with four of those matches coming at home. They have lost in Seattle only once this year, back in April.

After a slow start, there are now only five teams above them in the Western Conference, but one of those are LAFC.

It was a defeat in Los Angeles that set in motion the Sounders' five-game winless run to start the campaign, while their 2023 season ended with a defeat to LAFC at Lumen Field.

Seattle should not be short of motivation then, and Schmetzer is now shying away from the significance of this game.

"Saturday is such a big game against LAFC," Schmetzer said. "Everyone needs to come out and show up.

"This is a massive game for us. We've only lost twice in 18 games. That's pretty darn good if you ask me.

"We come out with a result on Saturday, and we're flying."

A win would close the gap between sixth-placed Seattle and second-placed LAFC to just four points, with this weekend's visitors wobbling in recent weeks against elite opposition.

The performance in the midweek draw with Real Salt Lake was merely "a little better" than in the prior humbling 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew, according to coach Steve Cherundolo.

"No, I was not happy with the performance [against RSL]," he said.

LAFC had won nine of their previous 10 ahead of the Columbus game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak assisted Jon Bell's first Seattle goal in the midweek win over St Louis City, continuing his fine form. That was his sixth consecutive home match in which he had registered a goal contribution.

Obafemi Martins is the only Sounders player with a longer such streak in a single regular season, with a seven-game run in 2014.

Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz

Olivier Giroud officially became an LAFC player this week, but Bogusz has contributed handily while the team have waited for the World Cup winner to arrive.

Bogusz has contributed to goals in each of his past five away matches, the longest active streak in MLS. Only Carlos Vela has had goal contributions in more consecutive road games in the regular season for LAFC (six matches in 2018).

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

Across MLS and the US Open Cup, the Sounders have won six games in a row, their longest winning run since a streak of the same length ended in MLS Cup glory in 2019.

But LAFC are the Sounders' bogey side right now. They have won three in a row against Seattle and are unbeaten in seven in this fixture.

The Rave Green have not beaten LAFC since May 2021, and Saturday's visitors will hope to provide another reality check.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 32.1%
Los Angeles FC – 42.5%
Draw – 25.4%

Reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC head to Lumen Field with two wins under their belt from their two games this season – they are second in the Western Conference, one place ahead of Seattle, who are also on six points but lost at FC Cincinnati last time out.

LAFC were beaten by Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday but have still progressed in that competition thanks to a 3-0 win in the first leg.

And Schmetzer knows the Sounders will have to be at their best to end LAFC's winning start to the MLS season.

"This feels like a game between two of the biggest clubs in the league," said Schmetzer.

"We're really focused on playing up to our potential and then we'll see what the scoreline says at the end of the game.

"They're defending champs, it's a big game, and I hope to see everybody out there. We'll need the fans."

Schmetzer's sentiment was echoed by Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan, who added: "This is another opportunity to send a statement out to the rest of the league, to ourselves, that we can compete with the best on a weekly basis."

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, meanwhile, will be looking for more cutting edge from his side after their 2-1 defeat to Alajuelense.

"We're happy to be further in the competition, which was our objective," he said in a press conference.

"We created many chances, didn't finish. The only difference [from the first leg] was they scored a goal in the first half.

"We were a little too loose in our defensive transition. If we finish our chances early, the run of the game looks much different."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris scored in each of Seattle's first two home games this season. The only Sounders player to score in the team's first three home matches of a season was Obafemi Martins in 2015.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has had a flying start to 2023, scoring five goals – including a hat-trick in the first leg against Alajuelense – and assisting a further two.

Bouanga has contributed to four goals in two matches so far this MLS season (two goals, two assists) after recording only three goal contributions (three goals) in 10 matches for LAFC last term.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE TO WIN

Seattle won their opening two home games of the MLS season by a combined score of 6-0. The Sounders have won their first three home matches of a campaign on two previous occasions, back in 2019 and 2021.

Indeed, that third victory in 2021 came against LAFC, whose inaugural MLS game was a 1-0 win over the Sounders in March 2018.

Since then, however, Seattle are unbeaten in six straight home meetings with LAFC (W4 D2).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 41 per cent

Los Angeles FC – 30.9 per cent

Draw – 28.1 per cent

Minnesota are third in the Western Conference, having lost just one of their last nine matches in the competition.

With leaders Real Salt Lake just four points in front of them, the Loons are looking to keep on the pressure, but they have never earned a point when travelling to Seattle.

However, Ramsey is confident his team can put that history behind them after watching them rise to challenges throughout the season.

"It's a challenge that we can go and meet head-on," he said. "We've met challenges all the way through this season in that way.

"I can only imagine it's a positive, if anything. I said to the group that every time they've been asked to rise to the occasion, largely they've done that.

"Going to a place like that, where we obviously find it difficult - we have a big few days that could arguably define the upcoming period."

Meanwhile, Seattle have won just one of their last five outings and sit outside the playoff places in the table.

Captain Stefan Frei admitted it is tough to look on the bright side after their poor run, but is hopeful they can get themselves out of trouble.

"Finding positive things has been hard this year. Finding frustration is very easy," said Frei. "Finding negatives is very easy.

"But you cannot succumb to that because no good will come from it. You've got to keep trying to find positives and, if not, create them so that we can all find a way out of this hole. Even as an individual, to find a way through it, so you can help the rest of the team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Stefan Frei

Seattle conceded the game-winning goal to Kansas City in the 85th minute on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat.

The Sounders have allowed a result-changing goal in the last 10 minutes five times this season, including in three of their last four regular-season matches (two equalizers, one winner). Stefan Frei will be aiming to avoid conceding another late goal on Saturday.

Minnesota United – Hassani Dotson

Dotson scored just his second goal of the season in Minnesota's 1-1 draw with FC Dallas last time out. Only five players for the Loons have netted more times than him this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Sounders have won all eight of their home matches against Minnesota United (incl. playoffs). The longest home winning streak by one team over another in MLS play (incl. playoffs) is nine straight, done five times, most recently by Philadelphia Union against D.C. United (2015-22).

Six of Seattle's last eight home MLS matches have ended in draws (W1 L1), including the last three in a row. Dating back to last June, the Sounders have split the points in 10 of their last 15 home league games.

Meanwhile, Minnesota have lost only one of their last nine regular-season matches (W5 D3) following a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday. The Loons enter their 17th match of the season with just three defeats this year after having never had fewer than five losses in the first half of a full season before.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 41.6%

Draw – 26.7%

Minnesota United – 31.8%

The Sounders are on a four-match unbeaten streak, having come from behind to salvage points in each of the last three and scored stoppage-time winners in the last two.

They are now up to ninth in the Western Conference and are closing in on the teams above them after a slow start to the season.

Despite their impressive run, Schmetzer stressed there was still a lot of room for improvement.

"There's a combination of a couple of things," Schmetzer explained. "There were some sloppy, uncharacteristic, untimely giveaways and the group defending was not good, we weren't compact enough.

"We weren't consistent enough, but the guys have a lot of pride and as the excitement built, we got it done.

"This team doesn't quit. We've got quality on this team."

Meanwhile, the Revs are up to 11th in the Eastern Conference after losing just one of their last six.

They got back to winning ways against Atlanta United, though they lost more players to injury in the process, and head coach Caleb Porter admitted his squad is a little thin after their busy schedule.

"It does take pressure off winning against Atlanta on Wednesday; we look at it as bonus points," Porter said. "We took a few more injuries, so we're looking at all options to fill our bench.

"Seattle are in good form, and it's obviously a long trip across the country. It's not going to be easy, since they're usually very good at home.

"We have to be very organised in this game - we just don't have much depth right now, we can't afford to play an open game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Albert Rusnak leads the assist charts for Seattle, having set up seven goals for his team-mates in MLS.

He found his shooting boots last time out though, scoring twice from the spot as the Sounders came from behind to beat the Chicago Fire.

New England Revolution – Giacomo Vrioni

Giacomo Vrioni scored twice as New England beat Atlanta in midweek, having also scored twice in their victory against Cincinnati FC.

He now has five goals in his last four games, finding his form at the right time.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle opened the season with just one win from their first nine matches in the league, but have since gone on to win six of their last 12, including their last two outings.

It has been almost five years since the sides last met in MLS, with nothing to separate them that day in a 3-3. New England edge the head-to-head record though, recording six wins compared to Seattle's four.

In fact, the last three meetings between the sides have ended level, with both games in Seattle ending 3-3, with a goalless draw in New England sandwiched between them.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 49.7%

Draw – 25.4%

New England Revolution – 24.9%