The Seattle Sounders will forever be engrained into LAFC history
After LAFC traveled to Seattle for the first match in Club history (and subsequently the first win in Club history), the Black & Gold face the Sounders once again in a historic match on Sunday.
Here's what you need to know before LAFC's historic home opener at Banc of California Stadium:
Where To Watch/Listen
LAFC vs Seattle Sounders, April 29 at 6pm PST
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPNLA 710, KFWB 980
Opponent Form
The Sounders stumbled out of the blocks to start the season. After losing to LAFC 1-0 in its opening match, Seattle did not score a single goal until its fourth match of the season, a 2-2 draw at Sporting KC. Following the draw at KC, Seattle earned its first three points of the season with a 3-1 win over Minnesota United last weekend.
LAFC Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1): Tyler Miller; Jordan Harvey, Laurent Ciman, Walker Zimmerman, Steven Beitashour; Mark-Anthony Kaye, Benny Feilhaber; Diego Rossi, Carlos Vela, Latif Blessing; Marco Ureña.
What The Players Are Saying
Steven Beitashour are finally playing a home match: "It feels great to be home. It's something we've been waiting a long time for. Six games on the road, it's been tough. The time is here. And guys are really anxious for this weekend."
Walker Zimmerman on how Banc of California Stadium compares to other place he's played: "This is a different class. You walk and you immediately feel the professionalism. You feel how much detail that has gone into this place. For us, it makes our job easier. We're just focusing on one thing: playing."
What To Watch For
Can Seattle Slow Down Carlos Vela: The Mexican international has scored or assisted in all but one LAFC match this season. Coming into the match, Vela's five goals are second in the League. Averaging just under five shots per game, Vela puts opposing goalkeepers on notice. It's not a question of if he'll test Seattle's Stefan Frei, but how often and to what effect?
A Repeat Performance for Tyler Miller: Miller blanked the Sounders in his return to Seattle after being selected by LAFC in the MLS Expansion Draft. In that match, the goalkeeper had seven saves, a career-high for the 25-year-old. While LAFC don't expect to have Miller tested that often at home, they'd be happy if the goalkeeper produced the same result as last time.
Seattle At Full Strength: Following LAFC's win in Seattle, breaking the Sounders' 15-match unbeaten run at home, talk centered on Seattle fielding a weakened side due to CONCACAF Champions League obligations in midweek.
Against LAFC in March, Brian Schmetzer left out both Clint Dempsey and Chad Marshall, and was without Jordan Morris after the forward suffered a season-ending injury. For its part, LAFC had starting center back Walker Zimmerman pull out of the lineup during warmups with an injury. With the likes of Cristian Roldan, Nicolás Lodeiro, and Román Torres on the pitch that day though, Seattle was in no way a completely depleted side.The Sounders were subsequently dumped out of the Champions League by eventual champions Chivas, and went on to lose the next two MLS matches after falling 1-0 to LAFC. Marshall and Dempsey are expected to play onSunday, as are Roldan, Lodeiro, and Torres.
LAFC will get a chance to test themselves against a full-strength Seattle team this time.
