LINEUPS: Pedro de la Veg gets his first start at home since March 2, with Reed Baker-Whiting on the opposite side and Cristian Roldan as right back.

More times than not in recent years, the Western Conference title has gone through either the Seattle Sounders or LAFC. The two teams have combined to represent the West in six of the last eight MLS Cups, with the Sounders doing that four times and LAFC twice.

But in terms of head-to-head matchups, LAFC have had the clear advantage more recently. We need to go all the way back to 2021 to find the last time the Sounders beat LAFC, going 0-5-2 since then. That includes a 1-0 loss at home in last year’s Western Conference semis and a 2-1 loss at LAFC in the season opener earlier this year.

The Sounders are playing easily their best soccer of the season, having won five straight and going seven-straight unbeaten in league play. Across all competitions, they have lost just twice in their last 18 matches (11-2-5). LAFC have also been very good as of late, going 9-1-2 in their last 12, albeit winless in their last two.

Notes

Olivier Giroud is not listed on the availability report but is not expected to make his debut until Aug. 1 in Leagues Cup.
Pedro de la Vega is expected to make his first home start since March 2.
The only active player who has scored a brace in this rivalry is Danny Musovski, who scored two goals against the Sounders in 2020.
Will Bruin, who played for the Sounders from 2017-2022, will be honored at pregame as part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration.