Seattle Sounders face Los Angeles FC on Saturday in what Brian Schmetzer has described as a game "between two of the biggest clubs" in MLS.

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

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo hailed Gareth Bale for his last-gasp equaliser and substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy for his shoot-out heroics amid the chaos of Saturday's MLS Cup triumph.

Cherundolo's side clinched the MLS Cup with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win over Philadelphia Union after the game had ended 3-3 following regulation and added time in a incredibly dramatic final at Banc of California Stadium.

LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was sent off in the 116th minute and left with a suspected broken leg for a last-man foul after a nightmare back-pass from Jesus Murillo.

After a lengthy delay for treatment for Crepeau, Union took the lead in the 124th minute from Jack Elliott's close-range finish, but substitute Bale sent it to penalties with a 128th-minute headed equaliser.

Bale, who has only made two starts in 13 appearances for LAFC since his move from Real Madrid in June, had been brought on in the 97th minute before his crucial intervention.

"He's a guy with big qualities and a guy who makes big plays," Cherundolo told reporters about 33-year-old Wales international Bale.

"Let's hope he doesn't in the first game of the World Cup for all the Americans in the room [Wales play USA]. But it's Gareth being Gareth. He does it in training. He's done it this season.

"When he's feeling well and healthy, he makes a difference in games. That's why we bring him in in those moments. I wish he was 24."

Bale, who scored twice in Madrid's 3-1 triumph over Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, was delighted to make his contribution with LAFC down to 10 men.

"It's always nice to score in finals, and I seem to have a knack for doing that," he said. "It's big, it's important for the club, it's important for the fans. Like I said, we were down to 10 men, I guess not really looking like we were going to get anything out of the game.

"Credit to everybody to keep pushing and keep fighting. It was nice to get the goal and to help the team. And where it ranks, I'm not too sure but it's a great feeling."

Cherundolo added that he was not sure of the extent of Canada international Crepeau's leg injury, but was full of praise for substitute McCarthy who saved two spot-kicks to decide the shoot-out and earn the MVP award.

"Couldn't happen to a better guy," the LAFC boss said. "John is one of the heartbeats of this team emotionally.

"We know what he can do in penalties. We've seen it. We've trained for these moments, and John came up big. Like I said, couldn't happen to a better guy, and extremely happy for him and everybody at LAFC."

Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini's recent absences from the Los Angeles FC squad due to fitness reasons is "pretty normal", according to head coach Steve Cherundolo.

Recent high-profile signings Bale and Chiellini sat out Tuesday's 1-0 win over D.C. United, having previously also missed the 5-0 victory over Charlotte FC last weekend.

Cherundolo confirmed the pair, who have each featured four times since officially arriving at the club in June, have not been called upon for precautionary measures.

The LAFC coach will continue to play it safe when it comes to selecting the experienced duo, with Bale having yet to make his first start for the MLS side.

"Gareth hasn't been 100 per cent," Cherundolo said. "We are just kind of moving along. I think this is pretty normal – aches and pains in the middle of a pre-season for a player.

"Trying to get your body in a position where you can play 90 minutes week in, week out in the middle of a season is difficult and sometimes there are little mini-setbacks.

"That's where we currently are with both of them. But it is purely precautionary."

Substitute Mahala Opoku scored the only goal of the game against D.C. United as LAFC extended their club-record winning streak to seven matches.

Cherundolo's charges are top of the overall MLS standings and return to action on Saturday with a road game at San Jose Earthquakes.