The Seattle Sounders aim to continue their success at home against defending MLS Cup champion Los Angeles FC on Saturday afternoon when the Western Conference rivals meet.
The Sounders (2-1-0, 6 points) have pieced together a six-game home points streak (4-0-2) against LAFC since the latter posted a 1-0 victory in its inaugural MLS match in March of 2018.
Lumen Field has provided a safe haven thus far this season for Seattle, which posted 4-0 victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids on Feb. 26 and a 2-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake on March 4. The Sounders weren’t as fortunate last Saturday, dropping a 1-0 decision on the road to FC Cincinnati.
“It’s three games into the year. … Let’s just see how the season, the early part of the season, rolls out,” Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said.
“I don’t think these guys in the locker room are going to throw in the towel. They are discouraged, yes. They put a lot of effort in the game, yes.”
Homegrown forward Jordan Morris has an MLS-best three goals in league games to start the season. He scored in the Sounders’ first two home games of the season.
While Morris is off to a solid start, LAFC (2-0-0, 6 points) have seen Denis Bouanga collect five goals and two assists in four matches across all competitions. He had two goals and one assist in LAFC’s 4-0 rout of the New England Revolution on Sunday.
“We’re delighted with Denis. We knew he had the potential last year to score a lot of goals in this league and to be one of the best players in the league.” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “Last year it didn’t click prolifically but he was still a very important piece of our championship team. And this year, he is scoring and he will continue to score. He’s good.”
Bouanga recorded his first hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica LD Alajuelense on March 9. He was held off the scoresheet on Wednesday, however Carlos Vela scored in the 83rd minute to help LAFC advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League despite a 2-1 loss to Alajuelense. LAFC posted a 4-2 win on aggregate.
–Field Level Media
