FULLTIME: Missing four likely starters, the Seattle Sounders fell 2-1 to LAFC in the season-opener on Saturday. Tim Tillman and Mateusz Bogusz scored just on either side of halftime, while the Sounders went scoreless until Pedro de la Vega converted a penalty in his MLS debut.

The Seattle Sounders open their 2024 regular-season against the same opponent who ended their 2023. But the LAFC that the Sounders face today is quite a bit different from that team. The big absence is Carlos Vela, who may eventually return but won't participate this week. Also gone are defensive stalwarts Kellyn Acosta, Maxime Crepeau and Diego Palacios.

Of course, Denis Bouanga is back, even if there was a brief time where it looked like he might force a move.

LAFC have restocked the roster, even if it is still a bit incomplete. Hugo Lloris replaces Crepeau, while Eduard Atuesta has returned to the midfield. There's still a big question at forward, but that's kinda been the case every since they moved Cristian Arango.

The Sounders come into this game something short of fully fit. João Paulo, Stefan Frei, Albert Rusnák and Yeimar Gomez Andrade are all either officially out or unexpected to play, while Pedro de la Vega will likely be on a minute restriction.

Notes

• LAFC are 6-0-0 all-time in MLS regular-season openers. That includes a 1-0 win on the road against the Sounders in their inaugural game in 2018.
• The Sounders are 8-6-0 in regular-season openers, with all but one of those being played at home. The only other time they opened on the road was 2017 when they lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo.
• LAFC went 2-0-1 against the Sounders last year, including a 1-0 win in the playoffs. The Sounders went scoreless in those games and they've only scored two goals against LAFC in their last six meetings.
• The Sounders are 1-6-1 all-time at BMO Stadium, with their only win coming in the 2019 Western Conference finals.
• LAFC became the fastest team to get to 300 all-time points in MLS history last year, beating the Sounders' record by four matches.
• Due to PRO locking out officials during their contract dispute, replacement referees will be used in this game.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle

Reed Baker-Whiting - Left hamstring (Out)
Stefan Frei - Right hamstring (Out)
João Paulo - Left hip (Out)
Braudilio Rodrigues - Right hamstring (Out)
Pedro de la Vega - Not Due to Injury (Questionable)
Yeimar Gómez Andrade - Not Due to Injury (Questionable)
Albert Rusnák - Right ankle (Questionable)

LAFC

Lorenzo Dellavalle - Right Knee (Out)

Officials

REF: Wesley Costa; ARs: Bruno Rizo, Miguel Yupari; 4TH: Gabriele Ciampi; VAR: TBD; AVAR: TBD.

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, 1:45 PM

Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles