Seattle Sounders welcome LAFC to Lumen Field on November 26 for the MLS Cup playoffs Western Conference semifinals clash.
The two trophy-winning sides remained near the top of the Western Conference standings for most of the 2023 regular season, with the Sounders eager to add to their illustrious trophy cabinet while the Black and Gold are hopeful of successfully defending their 2022 MLS Cup title.
Seattle claimed victory in the first round over FC Dallas in a series that stretched to three games, while LAFC swept Vancouver Whitecaps to clinch a spot in the Conference semifinals.
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC H2H record
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Country |
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United States |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
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United Kingdom |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
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Canada |
Apple TV + |
A muscle problem will see Sota Kitahara miss out on the action, while Reed Baker-Whiting is also unavailable due to a hamstring injury. The two are expected to return to action early December, with Cody Baker able to fill in for Baker-Whiting for full-back depth and Obed Vargas seeing more minutes with Kitahara’s injury.
However, Seattle supporters won’t be happy to hear that club legend Nico Lodeiro could be playing his final game for the team as his contract is set to expire at the end of the year.
Seattle Sounders predicted lineup vs LAFC ( 4-2-3-1 ): Frei; Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Tolo; Paulo, Atencio; Roldan, Rusnak, Chu; Morris.
LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo confirmed in a prematch press conference that all players will be healthy and available for selection against the Seattle Sounders. The team will likely depend on Carlos Vela and Denis Bounanga to stun their rivals.
LAFC predicted lineup vs Seattle Sounders ( 4-3-3 ): Crepeau; Palencia, Murillo, Long, Palacios; Tillman, Sanchez, Acosta; Olivera, Vela, Bouanga.
This contest has high-scoring affair written all over it given how the two sides like to setup on the front foot. LAFC will be full of contest heading into the game after sweeping the Whitecaps, while Seattle will be looking to pull off a huge result to shake up the playoffs bracket.
It will be a close, entertaining clash featuring some of the best attackers that MLS has to offer. The reigning MLS Cup winners’ season will end, however, keeping home field advantage in the Western Conference side of the postseason at Lumen Field.
Prediction: Seattle Sounders 3-2 LAFC
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