So, we meet again.
The Seattle Sounders and LAFC will take to the pitch once again this weekend. Such are the quirks of the 2019 MLS schedule - LAFC will take part in its second back-to-back of the MLS season against FC Dallas on May 16 and 19.
After a 4-1 win at Banc of California Stadium, the Black & Gold travel to Seattle for the second leg of their back-to-back matches against the Sounders.
A return to Seattle for LAFC is also a chance to recall fond memories. Who could forget this moment in LAFC history?
Sunday is a return to the site of LAFC's first goal, first win, and first three points in Club history. It's also a chance to go a perfect two-for-two against the Sounders in consecutive seasons.
You're not having déjà vu. It's LAFC against the Sounders once again. Let's get right into the preview:
LAFC at Seattle Sounders, April 28 at 12:30pm PT
Where to Watch
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Radio: Streaming on the ESPN app, KFWB 980
Official LAFC Watch Parties: The Garage, 33 Taps Silver Lake (enter our raffle at the watch parties for a chance to win a signed Tyler Miller jersey)
Opponent Form
The Sounders arrived at Banc of California Stadium in the midst of the best start in club history. The 4-1 loss to LAFC was Seattle's first of the season. But they had little time to think about it, as they set their sights on a quick turnaround in midweek against the San Jose Earthquakes. Despite going down two goals, Brian Schmetzer's team hit back with two goals in quick succession to salvage a draw.
What The Player Are Saying
Mark-Anthony Kaye on what he expects on Sunday in Seattle: "I think they'll try to change something. Their intensity and their energy will be different because they are playing at home. Tactically, I don't know. For us, our gameplan is probably going to stay the same. We work on the same thing every day in training, every week we have our own identity of how we want to play."
Christian Ramirez on playing back-to-back against the Sounders: "It'll be tough. It presents a whole different challenge than seeing them later on in the year because you already know what you are up against immediately and you can make adjustments... we just have to continue to build off the things we did well and take that into their place."
Projected LAFC Starting XI
(4-3-3): Tyler Miller; Jordan Harvey, Eddie Segura, Walker Zimmerman, Steven Beitashour; Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Latif Blessing; Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, Carlos Vela.
What To Watch For
Another Display In Midfield: Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Latif Blessing were simply marvelous against Seattle in the match at Banc of California Stadium. The three worked in tandem to find space, get on the ball, and drive LAFC forward. Without the ball, they were ruthless in winning possession back quickly from the opposition. In Seattle, the Sounders will need to disrupt the LAFC trio in midfield somehow. If those three continue to find the types of spaces they were in last week, it's going to be another big day for LAFC.
Winless In Seattle: LAFC are a perfect three for three against Seattle in Club history. Returning to the site of the Club's first-ever win, LAFC has a chance to pick up its fourth win against the Sounders. If LAFC remains perfect against Seattle, it would be the first MLS team the Black & Gold have secured four wins against.
Walking Wounded: One of the biggest cheers of the match against Seattle last week was the return Lee Nguyen to the pitch. Nguyen had missed six matches with a calf injury. Seattle has injury woes of their own. Forwards Raul Ruidiaz and Will Bruin both sat out Sunday's match in LA due to injuries. Their availability for the match in Seattle is up in the air. And while Chad Marshall returned to the starting 11 in midweek for the Sounders, Gustav Svensson has been ruled out after picking up an injury and Victor Rodriguez is questionable after entering concussion protocol following a collision in the same midweek match.
