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Seattle Sounders face Los Angeles FC on Saturday in what Brian Schmetzer has described as a sport “between two of the biggest clubs” in MLS.
Reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC head to Lumen Field with two wins beneath their belt from their two video games this season – they’re second within the Western Conference, one place forward of Seattle, who’re additionally on six factors however misplaced at FC Cincinnati final trip.
LAFC have been crushed by Alajuelense within the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday however have nonetheless progressed in that competitors because of a 3-0 win within the first leg.
And Schmetzer is aware of the Sounders should be at their finest to finish LAFC’s successful begin to the MLS season.
“This feels like a game between two of the biggest clubs in the league,” stated Schmetzer.
“We’re actually centered on taking part in as much as our potential and then we’ll see what the scoreline says on the finish of the sport.
“They’re defending champs, it’s a big game, and I hope to see everybody out there. We’ll need the fans.”
Schmetzer’s sentiment was echoed by Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan, who added: “This is another opportunity to send a statement out to the rest of the league, to ourselves, that we can compete with the best on a weekly basis.”
LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, in the meantime, can be on the lookout for extra innovative from his facet after their 2-1 defeat to Alajuelense.
“We’re happy to be further in the competition, which was our objective,” he stated in a press convention.
“We created many possibilities, didn’t end. The solely distinction [from the first leg] was they scored a purpose within the first half.
“We were a little too loose in our defensive transition. If we finish our chances early, the run of the game looks much different.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris scored in every of Seattle’s first two house video games this season. The solely Sounders participant to attain within the group’s first three house matches of a season was Obafemi Martins in 2015.
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has had a flying begin to 2023, scoring 5 objectives – together with a hat-trick within the first leg towards Alajuelense – and helping an additional two.
Bouanga has contributed to 4 objectives in two matches up to now this MLS season (two objectives, two assists) after recording solely three purpose contributions (three objectives) in 10 matches for LAFC final time period.
MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE TO WIN
Seattle received their opening two house video games of the MLS season by a mixed rating of 6-0. The Sounders have received their first three house matches of a marketing campaign on two earlier events, again in 2019 and 2021.
Indeed, that third victory in 2021 got here towards LAFC, whose inaugural MLS sport was a 1-0 win over the Sounders in March 2018.
Since then, nonetheless, Seattle are unbeaten in six straight house conferences with LAFC (W4 D2).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 41 per cent
Los Angeles FC – 30.9 per cent
Draw – 28.1 per cent
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