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After their close call in a best-of-three Round 1 series in the MLS Cup playoffs, Los Angeles FC will return from a much-needed breather and play host to the Seattle Sounders on Saturday in the Western Conference semifinals.

LAFC appeared to have all the momentum they could have wished for at the end of the regular season after stealing the top spot in the Western Conference on goal differential, when they won their finale and the rival Los Angeles Galaxy lost.

But in their opening playoff series, they needed the full three games to edge the Vancouver Whitecaps after they lost 3-0 in the middle contest. Their 1-0 victory on Nov. 8 in the deciding third game came on a goal from Mateusz Bogusz in the 62nd minute.

With an almost completely different roster from the team that won the MLS Cup title in 2022, LAFC are having success with players from the world stage like goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and forward Oliver Giroud, as well as goal scorers like Bogusz and Denis Bouanga.

“Guys adapted very well and felt comfortable,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough and certainly showed us that we have a different gear.”

LAFC were 3-1-0 against the Sounders this season and eliminated Seattle in last season’s quarterfinals.

The Sounders advanced to the single-elimination rounds with a pair of victories in their opening series against the Houston Dynamo from the penalty spot.

After a scoreless game on Oct. 28, they went to seven rounds of a penalty shootout on Nov. 3 after a 1-1 tie. Cristian Roldan scored the Sounders’ lone regulation-time goal.

“Cristian always puts the work in,” Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer said. “To be fair, at the end, he scored the goal (against Houston) when it mattered, and that was a joy to see. (His) first penalty (in the shootout) set the tone.”

Jordan Morris led the Sounders with 13 goals in the regular season, while Bouanga led LAFC with 20 goals, tied for second most in the league with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez of Inter Miami. Bogusz scored 15 goals.

–Field Level Media