Nothing less than the chance to host MLS Cup is on the line tonight when the Seattle Sounders visit the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference final. It’s the third time ever that these two teams have faced off this deep into the playoffs, but the first time since 2014, when the Galaxy advanced on an away-goals tiebreaker.

The Sounders and Galaxy are almost diametrically opposite teams. The Sounders have been the best defensive outfit in the league, while the Galaxy have gotten here almost exclusively the strength of their explosive offense.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Danny Musovski - Quad; Paul Rothrock - Quad

QUESTIONABLE: Reed Baker-Whiting - Calf; Yeimar Gómez Andrade - Hamstring

Galaxy

OUT: Martín Cáceres - Achilles

Stats to look smart

The Galaxy have already scored 15 goals in the playoffs, which is tied for the second most all-time. They are two goals shy of tying the 2016 Toronto FC team that powered its way into the MLS Cup final, where they were shut out.
The Sounders allowed a league-low 35 goals during the regular season and even after two rounds of playoffs, have still allowed fewer goals than any other team (37) this season.

Tactics to impress

There are high-volume players and then there are players like Riqui Puig. He attempted at least 75 passes in all but two starts this year, one of which happened against the Sounders in the only game they played at Dignity Sports Health Park. While it’s impossible to keep Puig off the ball entirely, making him get the ball in his own end as much as possible has to be one of the top directives.
The Galaxy defense was not actually that bad from open play, allowing just 31 goals. That was tied for the fifth fewest in MLS. But where they struggled was on set pieces, allowing 15 goals. The Sounders exploited that in their last meeting, scoring twice on corner kicks and another off a throw-in. If there’s a breakthrough to be had, it’s probably from a dead-ball opportunity.