Everything you need to know about Sounders-LAFC

The Seattle Sounders face their biggest test of the season when they face LAFC tonight. The Sounders come into tonight’s game having gone unbeaten in seven league games (6-0-1), but have mostly done that against teams in the lower half of the table. LAFC, until very recently, had been the hottest team in the league and are still second in the West on 44 points.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Josh Atencio (international duty); Stuart Hawkins (international duty); Braudilio Rodrigues (hamstring)

LAFC

OUT: Lorenzo Dellavalle (knee); Timothy Tillman (leg); Christian Olivera (foot)

Stats to look smart

0-5-2: The Sounders haven’t beaten LAFC since May 16, 2021. That’s a stretch of seven games where they’ve claimed just two points, which includes a loss in last year’s Western Conference semis as well as a loss in this year’s season-opener.

7 points: The Sounders are still just sixth in the Western Conference, but their recent run of results has allowed them to move as close to second as they are to ninth (7 points).

Tactics to impress

When LAFC have the ball: Just about every time LAFC win the ball, they are probably going to look to transition quickly. They have two of the league’s best scorers and both Denis Bouanga and Mateus Bogusz love to run. Only one team progresses the ball up the field faster than LAFC, notoriously press-heavy St. Louis City.

When the Sounders have the ball: Yes, the Sounders thrive in transition, too, but their approach is a bit more nuanced. The trick for them will specifically be wing play. As much as LAFC want to force the ball wide, the Sounders need to take that space and push forward. It’s a great opportunity for Pedro de la Vega to show he’s a difference-maker.