Seattle Sounders vs LAFC Preview
The Seattle Sounders clash with Los Angeles Football Club at Lumen Field in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on August 17 at 8:00 pm. Both sides are coming off convincing victories in the round of 16.
Seattle has not beaten LAFC in their last eight meetings. Can the Sounders break their losing streak to reach the semifinals or will LA overcome the Rave Green for the second time in four weeks?
Seattle Sounders FC vs LAFC Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The Seattle Sounders and LAFC have clashed on 20 occasions. Los Angeles has a healthy record against the Sounders, winning 11 meetings. Seattle has just five victories over The Black and Gold Falcons, with four draws between the sides. They last played in the MLS in July at Lumen Field.
Los Angeles beat the Seattle Sounders 3-0 despite Brian Schmetzer’s team dominating large portions of the match. It was a nightmare start for the Sounders after Nouhou Tolo handled the ball in the 18-yard box. Dénis Bouanga stepped up and buried the resulting penalty to give LA the early lead.
Seattle fought back but couldn’t find the net, allowing LA to double their lead in the 26th minute, after Mateusz Bogusz’s spectacular volley. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of LA and Seattle had given themselves a mountain to climb.
Seattle kept battling but could not find a way past Hugo Lloris. Bouanga scored his second goal in the 74th minute, putting the game beyond doubt and leaving Seattle wondering how LAFC had stolen three points. The hosts finished with 65% possession and 21 shots to LA’s seven.
Los Angeles FC last played on August 13 in the Leagues Cup round of 16 against the San Jose Earthquakes. Steve Cherundolo’s side dominated San Jose, dismantling the Quakes in a 4-1 victory. The Black and Gold Falcons started strong and were rewarded for their attacking intent when Cristian Olivera dribbled into the box before slotting past William Yarbrough.
Hernan Lopez levelled for the visitors against the run of play in the 41st minute. Bouanga quickly cancelled out the leveller with his finish in added time, ending the first half 2-1 for the hosts. Los Angeles extended their lead 15 minutes after the restart. Yarbrough handled Bogusz’s long-distance effort horrifically and watched the ball bundle into the net, allowing LA to run away with the game.
Bouanga sealed a brace in the 66th minute to secure a 4-1 victory and an appearance in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals for LAFC. They have beaten Club Tijuana, Austin FC and San Jose on their journey.
Seattle met Pumas UNAM in the round of 16 on August 12. UNAM dominated the first 25 minutes and Seattle was holding on. VAR saved them by overturning Piero Quispe’s goal after he drifted offside in the 26th minute. Seattle took an unlikely lead in the 32nd minute when they caught Pumas off guard with a smart free-kick routine. Paul Rothrock headed in Albert Rusnák’s cross, and the Sounders saw out the rest of the half to head into the break 1-0 up.
Seattle came out with more of an attacking edge in the second half, looking to put the sword to Pumas. Jordan Morris chested down Rusnak’s header excellently in the box and fired a smart half-volley into the net to double the host’s lead. The Sounders overwhelmed UNAM’s defence in the second half and were in full control.
Rusnak scored a penalty in the 71st minute to put the result beyond doubt and secure a man-of-the-match performance for himself. One final penalty in added time put a bow on top of an excellent Seattle performance, heading into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals with a 4-0 victory. The Sounders have beaten Minnesota United, LA Galaxy and Pumas on their way to the last eight.
Seattle Sounders FC vs LAFC Predictions
Correct score prediction: Seattle Sounders 1-2 LAFC
These teams are evenly matched and this game looks tight on paper. Both sides have beaten vehement opposition to get this far into the competition. However, Los Angeles already boasts a victory over Seattle at Lumen Field this season. They have been excellent in the MLS, sitting second in the Western Conference while Seattle sits seventh. Our soccer prediction is for an LAFC victory.
Steve Cherundolo’s team has been excellent in the league so far. The American has taken them to the next level since being named head coach in 2022. He guided them to the MLS Cup in 2022 and has built an even stronger team than that title-winning side. His attacking, high-press tactics are easy on the eye and have guided his team well through the Leagues Cup and MLS so far.
His 3-4-3 formation allows his side to overwhelm the opposition’s defence. Bogusz’s role as a false nine allows Bouanga and Olivera in behind as right and left forwards. LA is excellent on the front foot and will look to dominate the ball from kick-off.
Their attack is formidable. Denis Bouanga has scored 16 goals in the MLS this season. Only one player has scored more than that. Attacking midfielder Mateus Bogusz has 13 this campaign. Only one midfielder has scored more.
Los Angeles also welcomed legendary French striker Olivier Giroud to the club on August 3. The former Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan forward adds an extra layer to their attack with his hold-up play and aerial threat. Seattle will not be able to handle LAFC’s frontline.
Seattle will be hard to break down, however. They have conceded just 29 goals in the MLS this season. That is the best defensive record in the Western Conference and only two teams in the league can boast better. Los Angeles put three past them at Lumen Field in July, but Brian Schmetzer’s team will have learned from that.
Rusnak and Morris’s partnership up front was on full show in their last game and they can take that into the game here. Rusnak notched two assists, including one for Morris, as well as a goal. He has 11 overall this season and is one of the best playmakers in the league. Morris is the Sounders’ top scorer with nine goals in the league this season. They can catch LAFC on the break.
Seattle Sounders FC vs LAFC Betting Tips
These sides are neck and neck in Leagues Cup betting. The moneyline has not separated them, worth +160 for a win. LAFC already has a victory over Seattle at Lumen Field this season and they are in excellent form in all competitions. The Black and Gold Falcons are among the favourites to win the Leagues Cup, and they can prove why here. We like a bet on LAFC to win.
Denis Bouanga has been in incredible form for Los Angeles this season. He has scored 16 goals in the MLS and four in the Leagues Cup, placing him second overall in both competitions. Online betting will look favourably on the Gabonese international to score in this fixture. He scored a brace the last time these sides met and only one player has scored more than him in the Leagues Cup.
Denis does it again!@BouangaDenis smoothly scores his second after a great assist from Olivera.#LAFCvSJ 4-1 pic.twitter.com/NBmazVWkeg
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 14, 2024
Over/under betting is an option for this game. Both sides have seen over 2.5 goals in three of their four games in the competition so far. That line also hit the over the last time they met in July. With so much attacking talent between both sides we like a wager on the over for this game, worth -137 with our online sportsbook.
Live betting is another option for a game that looks very tight on paper. Seattle has had a strong run on their way to the quarterfinals, so we cannot underestimate them. We may see this game go beyond 90 minutes. Wait for the game to start and look at the in-play odds on the match to end as a draw after normal time.
Seattle Sounders Team News
Raul Ruidiaz injured his MCL after a cynical tackle in the game against Minnesota United in July. The estimated recovery time is between two and three weeks, and he could make a return here. Braudilio Rodrigues is currently dealing with a nagging hamstring injury and the medical staff does not expect him to return until late August.
- Predicted lineup: Thomas, A. Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Tolo, C. Roldan, Vargas, Paulo, Rothrock, Morris, Rusnak.
LAFC Team News
Lorenzo Dellavalle tore his cruciate in February and will miss the rest of the season. Timothy Tillman is out with a leg injury and is not expected back until early September. The biggest decision Cherundolo must make is whether Olivera retains his position in the XI ahead of new signing Olivier Giroud. We expect Olivera to remain in the 11 but it could be a game-time decision.
- Predicted lineup: Lloris, Murilo, Chanot, Long, Palencia, Sanchez, Atuesta, Hollingshead, Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga.
