Seattle Sounders - LAFC: summary, score, goals, highlights, MLS 2023
Seattle Sounders - LAFC: as it happened
A tied looking LAFC will be the happier side to secure a valuable point in Seattle and maintain their unbeaten MLS record.
A game where goal scoring chances were very much at a premium with Opoku at the death being afforded a great chance but a fine reflex save from Frei kept the LAFC striker at bay.
The whistle sounds and it ends goalless in Seattle
Corner for Seattle... It's now or never with the whistle about to go...
It comes to nothing as LA clear.
Great save from Frei as Opoku almost opens the scoring.
Chu does well and looks for Morris. LAFC do well to avert the danger.
We'll have seven minutes of added time.
Bouanga fires a dangerous ball into the box and Opoku clips over from short range.
LAFC pressing again and almost sneak a late goal.
Opoku almost catches Frei off his line.
One of the few times we've seen the visitors make a foray into the opposition box.
Bouanga carded with the clock ticking down.
The Emerald City SC fans still making plenty of noise doing their bit to boost the home side over the line.
Acosta off with teenager Dueñas onto the pitch.
Last ten...is there a goal in this game?
Seattle break...Morris is presented with a great chance and lays the ball off to the frustration of the 35,000 fans here at Lumen Field today.
Alex Roldan replaced by Montero (Seattle)
LAFC expected goals in this game 0.15 .... if ever a team was playing for a point !
The ball is spilled by the LAFC keeper and it bobbles around and is eventually cleared by Long. A minor let-off for LAFC there.
Sounders still on top in terms of possession
Just over 20 minutes remaining here in Seattle.
Sounders still hold the upper hand but still yet to carve out clear cut chances.
Arrega heads wide with the goal gaping. Poor miss from the man from Ecuador
Biuk and Cifuentes on for LAFC / Tillman and Vela make way
Jordan Morris now moving to the central no. 9 role.
Ruidiaz and Joao Paulo make way for Chu and Vargas on
(Seattle Sounders subs)
Approaching the hour mark and to drum out the old cliche...'the game needs a goal'....One senses that LAFC would be happy to leave Seattle with a 0-0.
Alex Roldan carded as he clashes into Bouanga.
Ragen leaves the pitch with an injury as Ecuador international Arreaga comes on.
Ruidiaz almost latches onto a fine Lodeiro cross but the Peruvian just lacking the finish with the ball at an awkward height.
Acosta carded as he clips Rusnak.
LAFC on the attack early in the second 45.
Seattle set to kick off
Seattle look very much in control here with LAFC certainly showing some signs of fatigue after a draining schedule.
Sounders are certainly boosted with the return of Ruidiaz and Joao Paulo and Jordan Morris are looking dangerous.
We've yet to see anything from the LAFC trio of Opoku, Bouanga and Vela who are normally so explosive.
Dragon flamethrowers yet to see any action
All square at Lumen Field with neither side able to break the deadlock in Seattle.
Carlos Vela had the best chance for the visitors but the side from LA slowly let the home side grow into the game.
The whistle sounds and no movement on the scoreboard but a much better half from the home side.
Ruidiaz almost opens the scoring as McCathy has to tip the ball behind the post as the Peruvian strker almost finds the net.
We'll have 4 minutes of added time at the end of the half.
Cards for Long, Nouhou and Rusnak after that fracas.
Better from LAFC as we enter the final five minutes of the half.
A bright and nicely poised contest as Bouanga shoots and Frei grabs at the second time of asking.
A melee breaks out as Long clips Frei and a host of Seattle players challenge the LAFC player for trying to kick the ball out of the Swiss keeper's hands.
Less than ten minutes remain in the first 45'.
Sounders well on top as LAFC may accuse tiredness after their recent marathon run of games with Concacaf CL games midweek against Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.
Today's game in Lumen Field is the fifth game in 15 days for the visitors.
First card of the day goes to Joâo Paulo as he clips Bouanga.
Big penalty call for the Sounders.
Palacios seems to clip Roldan.
Ref waves play on.
Ruidiaz tries a spectacular bicycle kick but the ball is straight at McCarthy, what an audacious effort from the Peruvian striker.
Seattle are knocking on the door now as the thread the ball to the edge of the LAFC box but Roldan eyes glory and the move ends with the No.7 drillibg the ball high and wide.
Nouhou has been impressive today with the Cameroon defender impressive in possession and solid at the back.
Seattle hit the post as Rusnak clips the ball off the post with McCarthy totally beaten... A major let-off for LAFC.
Excellent play from the Sounders as they patiently build up from the back and then cut through the LAFC defense with a killer pass from Paulo who is at the heart of all the creative play from the men in red.
Sounders dominating the contest in terms of possession: 66-34 (%)
It's been a really bright and open game with both sides enjoying decent spells of play.
The Carlos Vela shot being the closest we've come to a scoring chance in the constest so far.
Vela shoots from outside the box and the ball bobbles on the artificial surface as Frei has to deflect the ball wide for a corner.
Jordan Morris is looking lively tonight as he latches onto a fine ball from Tolo and wins the first corner of the day.
LAFC deal with the danger as Bouanga goes down the other end and Seattle manage to avert the danger.
Early danger being created by the visitors as Opoku almost gets a shot away with the Ghanaian gifted acres of space.
and we're underway in Seattle...
LAFC set to start the action....
We're minutes away from kick-off ....
How do we see this one going?
I'm tipping a home win with the 'Black and Gold' set to taste defeat for the first time this season (in the league).
Seattle 2-1 LAFC... let's see ....
The teams take to the pitch to a volley of noise from the green (and red) clad home fans. There are a few LAFC fans dotted in the stands too as we pause pre-game briefly for the US national anthem.
Mar 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; A general overall aerial view of Lumen Field. / Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
MLS: Los Angeles FC at Seattle Sounders FC
Today's game is taking place at the 68,000 capacity Lumen Field which is home also to NFL franchise Seattle Seahawks and the home fans in the Emerald City are famed for being some of the most boisterous in the country.
Not a full house but a very decent number of fans in the house today as the teams are in the tunnel poised to take to the pitch.
We're 15 minutes away from kick-off.
Today's clash is a battle between the Concacaf Champions League holders in Seattle Sounders, who became the first ever MLS team to win the competition. The recently participated at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco recently and despite an early exit at the hands of Al Ahly would have benefitted for the experience.
Today's opponents are the current MLS Cup holders LAFC who secured the silverware after a dramatic penalty shoot out win last November against Philadelphia Union.
Both teams going through their final warm-up drills with LA in their light gold away kits with Seattle set to sport their 'Bruce Lee' jersey with the martial arts star going to university in Washington, setting up js first ever in the capital of the state and is buried in Seattle.
Match official: Ismail Elfath (USA)
Ismail Elfath will oversee today's game in Seattle. The Casablanca born official has overseen MLS games since 2012 and was part of the FIFA match official team refereeing games at the recent 2022 Qatar World Cup.
LAFC XI
Mexican striker Carlos Vela, Denis Bouanga and Kwadwo Opoku lead the line for LAFC as the 'Black and Gold' set up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Brian Schmetzer: pre-game
The Sounders manager spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's clash: "Make no mistake, this is a big game between two of the biggest clubs in MLS and its going to be a great game".
Sounders XI confirmed
Seattle opt for a 4-3-2-1 formation with Peruvian striker Raul Ruidiaz set to leat the line for the 'Rave Green' as they look to bounce back from the 1-0 loss on the road away to Cincinnati.
MLS expert Matt Doyle: "Seattle vs LAFC is certainly a meeting between the two best teams in the Western Conference with the game having a play-off feel about it".
Sounders-LAFC: matchday weather
It's currently 17C/63F in the capital of Washington State with a bright and sunny afternoon expected with no rain forecast. Ideal conditions for player and fans alike.
Seattle-LAFC: last meeting
LAFC defeated the Sounders 2-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in July of last year. Seattle took an early lead via a Jesús Murillo own goal in the 14th minute, but the hosts responded with goals from Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela to take all three points.
Sounders-LAFC: absentees
Seattle have fitness doubts over Araujo and Vargas with a hamstring and back issue respectively potentially ruling out the pair.
LAFC travel to Washington state with no Ryan Hollingshead, Tony Leone or Canadian keeper Maxime Crepeau.
Western Conference ahead of matchday 4
Newcomers St Louis City SC are the surprise package in the west with three wins from three to sit aloft in the west ahead of today's sides LAFC and Seattle who sit in second and third place respectively in the rankings.
'Bruce Lee' kit set for debut
There were some stunning new season kits launched ahead of the 2023 season with the Johnny Cash 'Man in Black' Nashville SC generating plenty of headlines,
Another shirt that caught the eye was Seattle Sounders' new away kit inspired by Bruce Lee. The new red jersey is set for its first outing today at Lumen Field and Seattle fans that it brings additional luck as they face the in-form LAFC.
LAFC
Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to extend their perfect start to the MLS season with a third win when they travel to Seattle.
They have previously defeated the Timbers and New England at home. Steve Cherundolo’s pupils, who are sitting second in the table, will take the league’s top spot if they beat Seattle Sounders.
However, the LA side will need to forget their last game as quickly as possible, as they ended up losing to Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League (1-2), although they progressed to the next round.
Seattle Sounders
The hosts, sitting third in the MLS Western Conference standings with one more game than LAFC, will be looking to record a third win in the tournament when they face the current champions LAFC at Lumen Field.
Brian Schmetzer’s men had a great start to the campaign, with two consecutive wins against Colorado and Real Salt Lake at home, scoring six goals and not conceding.
However, they suffered their first loss when they traveled to Cincinnati (1-0), with their opponents playing with 10 men in the final minutes of the game.
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC: last five meetings
July 2022, MLS: LAFC 2-1 Seattle Sounders
June 2022, MLS: Seattle Sounders 1-1 LAFC
October 2021, MLS: LAFC 3-0 Seattle Sounders
May 2021, MLS: Seattle Sounders 2-0 LAFC
April 2021, MLS: LAFC 1-1 Seattle Sounders
This is Seattle's fourth game of the new season with Brian Schmetzer's side having recorded two wins and one loss in their 2023 season opening games.
LAFC have only played twice in the 2023 campaign after their opening day derby game against LA Galaxy was postponed due to a severe weather warming.
Despite having only played two games, the Black and Gold have a 100% efficiency rate with wins over Portland Timbers and NE Revolution. Inbetween Steve Cherundolo's side overcame Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense to advance to the quarter-final stage of the Concacaf Champions League despite falling at home (1-2) in Thursday's second leg.
The game is scheduled for a 1:00 pm kick-off local time, but we anticipate the action getting underway 15 minutes after the scheduled time.
Hello and welcome to our live MLS coverage as we head to Washington State for the matchday four clash between Seattle Sounders and LAFC.